Central Crater – Northeast Crater, Mount Etna loop from Monte Conca

Hiking trails & Routes

Central Crater – Northeast Crater, Mount Etna loop from Monte Conca

Hard

4.8

(33)

204

hikers

Central Crater – Northeast Crater, Mount Etna loop from Monte Conca

08:57

24.0km

1,490m

Hiking

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: October 8, 2026

Tips

Includes segments that may be dangerous

Parts of this route comprise highly technical, difficult, or hazardous terrain. Specialist equipment and prior experience is required.

After 12.7 km for 113 m

After 13.0 km for 1.46 km

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

3.87 km

Crater at 2,420 m – Parco dell'Etna

Highlight • Volcano

Meeting point between the Monte Nero delle Concazze path (cable car) and the road (S2). You can continue uphill towards Pizzi Deneri or go down towards Piano Provenzana.

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7.81 km

Pizzi Deneri Volcanological Observatory

Highlight • Monument

Of course, the following also applies here: Under no circumstances should you do without a good jacket, sensible shoes, sun protection and enough water - that goes without saying at an altitude of 2000m+.

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13.6 km

Etna Crater

Highlight • Volcano

There are many craters at the summit. Since the current crater has been working, things have become quiet in this crater.

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14.1 km

Central Crater

Highlight • Volcano

The shape of the crater changed dramatically after the 2024 eruption. Currently, the hike ends at this point because the terrain has become impassable.

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14.7 km

Northeast Crater, Mount Etna

Highlight • Volcano

After the 2024 eruption, the mountain grew by a good 80 meters at this point. At the summit, there are small, hot vents where you can warm your hands in the steam 😉

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16.0 km

Descent from Mount Etna

Highlight • Volcano

Descend from the crater across the ash fields, where the soft material allows you to do something like skiing on your boots. Just try to run down the mountain quickly.

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16.7 km

Piano delle Concazze

Highlight • Viewpoint

Interesting rock formation, supposedly reminiscent of piano keys. To me, it reminds me more of organ pipes.

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20.8 km

Volcanic crater in Parco dell'Etna

Highlight • Volcano

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24.0 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

19.3 km

2.64 km

1.60 km

401 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

11.2 km

8.82 km

3.44 km

521 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Monday 12 October

14°C

1°C

58 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 13.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

August 25, 2022,Wanderung auf den Krater auf eigene Faust

Absolutely forbidden, but still possible... An incredible experience...

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June 25, 2022,Ätna, die Besteigung des Nordkraters

The way there is very steep and you have to walk over lava rocks with a 45% gradient, so the way is hardly walked! Plan plenty of time and take enough to drink with you!
Pay attention to whether Etna can be climbed and what the weather conditions are like!
Breathtaking view at the crater rim!

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May 4, 2024,4x4 und Wandern auf den Ätna

This was an organized tour of Mount Etna with a guide and a 4x4 truck.

You only had to walk about 400 meters up to 3300 meters above sea level.

As the wind was probably blowing at 100 km/h up there, it was a real challenge on the crater rim, especially for people with a fear of heights.

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