4.7
(139)
967
hikers
Summit Craters Trail
04:41
11.2km
960m
Hiking
The Summit Craters Trail offers a challenging hike across an otherworldly volcanic landscape. You will traverse rugged, unpaved paths, often walking around the rim of a volcanic cone, with the Cratere Piano del Lago as a key feature. This difficult route covers 7.0 miles (11.2 km) and involves a significant elevation gain of 3147 feet (959 metres). Plan for approximately 4 hours and 40 minutes to complete this demanding journey, experiencing dramatic scenery where lava flows and ash continuously shape the terrain.
Before you set out, ensure you have very good fitness, sure-footedness, and sturdy hiking shoes for this difficult trail. The starting point at Rifugio Sapienza is a popular base on Mount Etna's southern side, where you can find amenities. Always check local conditions before your visit, as volcanic activity and weather patterns can change rapidly on the mountain. It is crucial to be prepared for varying conditions and potential closures.
This trail provides a unique opportunity to experience the raw power of Mount Etna up close. You might even feel warmth emanating from the ground through your shoe soles, a direct sign of the volcano's ongoing activity. From the craters, you can enjoy expansive views of Mount Etna and its surroundings, with vistas stretching towards the valley below on clear days. It is a truly immersive experience into a dynamic natural environment.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Tips
Your route passes through a protected area
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Waypoints
Start point
Bus stop
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74 m
Sapienza Hut
Highlight • Mountain Hut
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2.32 km
Piccolo Rifugio (Etna South)
Highlight • Volcano
The jeep tour oh up is highly recommended.
Attention: If it is 25 ° C on the beach, it is about 4 ° C at the top. So wear warm!
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5.72 km
Summit Craters of Mount Etna
Highlight • Volcano
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6.36 km
Mount Etna Volcanic Crater
Highlight • Volcano
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7.91 km
Laghetto Crater
Highlight • Volcano
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11.2 km
End point
Bus stop
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
6.00 km
4.94 km
173 m
< 100 m
< 100 m
Surfaces
6.30 km
3.68 km
743 m
283 m
190 m
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Elevation
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Weather
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Thursday 7 May
12°C
5°C
0 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 8.0 km/h
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This route was planned by komoot.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to the trailhead for this hike?
The Cratere Piano del Lago loop hike starts from Rifugio Sapienza, located on Mount Etna's southern slope. You can reach Rifugio Sapienza by car, where parking is available, or by public transport, typically a bus service from Catania. It's a popular base for exploring Etna's southern side.
What is the difficulty level of this hike?
This loop hike is rated as difficult. It requires very good fitness, sure-footedness, sturdy shoes, and some alpine experience due to the challenging volcanic terrain and sustained effort needed.
Is this trail suitable for beginners or families with young children?
No, this trail is not suitable for beginners or families with young children. Its 'difficult' rating means it demands excellent physical conditioning and experience in alpine environments. There are other, less strenuous options available around Rifugio Sapienza for those seeking easier hikes.
What is the terrain like on the Cratere Piano del Lago loop hike?
The terrain primarily consists of unpaved and natural paths, with some alpine sections. You'll traverse a landscape continuously shaped by lava eruptions and ash, resulting in varied and often rugged ground. Expect to walk around the rim of a volcanic cone.
What kind of scenery can I expect along the route?
The scenery is dramatic and unique, often described as 'beautiful, wild, dangerous - almost like on another world' due to its distinct volcanic nature. From the crater rim, you'll get expansive views of Mount Etna and its craters, and on clear days, vistas stretching towards the valley below. While stark and volcanic, some areas of Mount Etna also feature pine forests and lava fields.
What are the main points of interest along the route?
Key points of interest include the starting point at Sapienza Hut, views of Piccolo Rifugio (Etna South), and the impressive Summit Craters of Mount Etna. You'll also encounter the Mount Etna Volcanic Crater and the Laghetto Crater.
Does this trail intersect with other well-known paths?
Yes, the route incorporates sections of several official trails. You will hike along parts of the Pista ai Crateri Sommitali, Sentiero ai Crateri Barbagallo, and Sentiero Cratere Piano del Lago, among others.
Is the Cratere Piano del Lago loop hike dog-friendly?
While dogs are generally allowed in Parco dell'Etna, specific regulations may apply to higher-altitude and sensitive volcanic areas. It's advisable to check with the park authorities or local guides regarding dog access for this particular challenging route, especially given the rugged terrain and potential volcanic activity.
Do I need a permit or is there an entrance fee for Parco dell'Etna?
Generally, there is no entrance fee to access Parco dell'Etna for hiking. However, certain guided tours or access to specific summit areas might require permits or fees. For this particular loop hike, a permit is typically not required, but it's always good practice to verify current regulations before your visit.
What is the best time of year to hike this trail?
The best time to hike is typically during the warmer months, from late spring to early autumn (May to October), when the weather is more stable and snow has melted from higher elevations. Winter conditions can make the trail significantly more challenging or inaccessible due to snow and ice, requiring specialized equipment and experience.
What should I bring for this hike?
Given the challenging nature and volcanic environment, you should bring sturdy hiking boots, layers of clothing suitable for varying temperatures, sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen), plenty of water, snacks, and a first-aid kit. A map, compass or GPS device, and trekking poles are also highly recommended.
Are there any unique geological features or experiences on this trail?
Yes, a particularly notable feature is the palpable volcanic activity. As you walk around the crater rim, you may feel warmth emanating from the ground through your shoe soles. Temperatures have been recorded at over 67 degrees Celsius just 10 centimeters deep in the lava floor, offering a unique and direct connection to Etna's active geology.
Nearby routes
Trail Reviews
First with the cable car from our parking space (2000m) to 2500m, then with the Unimog to 2900m, then on foot to about 3000m to the crater from 2002. This area was flat before 2002, now the crater is about 50m deep.🤔
What a surreal world up here on Mount Etna. I drove here yesterday and was able to enjoy a perfect evening atmosphere. However, this volcanic world is extremely barren. This morning we went up on foot to almost 3000 meters - from here the active zone begins and you can only go further with a mountain guide and you probably can't really get to the summit area at the moment. Not today anyway, because Mount Etna was covered in fog and there was a real storm on top of that. We climbed almost the entire way in the snow - quite exhausting. I honestly don't know why I even went that far. After just 500 meters in altitude it was clear to me that there was nothing to see up there. OK, the picture of Greta with puffed-out cheeks wouldn't have happened otherwise 😂. So, in March, Mount Etna is perhaps only recommended if the weather is perfect. But this volcanic landscape is definitely impressive. You somehow get the feeling that the lava rock could still be warm. Now it's really spring 😃.
It is a mighty sight. At approximately 3,347 meters, it is considered the highest and most active volcano in Europe. It is constantly active, with eruptions almost annually. Yet it is densely populated: Catania, with its over 300,000 inhabitants, lies at its feet, and countless villages are clustered along its slopes. Hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to its summits every year. Today, the two of us were there, too. It is an impressive experience. It has rained repeatedly on Etna over the past few days. We saw our chances dwindling. But today we were very lucky and saw it without clouds. The white cloud above the peak is the escaping gas. We went up in a gondola and then in trucks. Afterward, we took a tour with a volcanologist. A fantastic experience that I highly recommend to everyone.
A large part of the route was covered by cable car rather than hiking. Gandalf blew and blew circles into the air.
Yesterday Krümel and I were on Etna 😊. A guided tour I booked months ago. We were picked up in Catania and brought from there to the starting point of the tour at 1900 m. From there, the group first went a good way up with the cable car. Then the last piece to just below the crater on foot. The ascent was sometimes steep, the subsoil was difficult but doable due to loose lava rock. What was really fierce up there was the wind. It came yesterday from the west and blew strongly to the east. Since Etna is more or less always active, you can't get all the way to the top as it's pretty much always pushing out gases, like yesterday. A new crater formed during the last major eruption, now there are 4 in close proximity to the summit. We went up from the south and after the round we went down again. The descent was also violent in 2 places, loose ground, so we had to slide down several hundred meters. This experience will be remembered forever as it is not commonplace. I can only recommend to everyone: If you are in Sicily, do this tour, you will not regret it 😉👍🏼!
01/06/25 we finally managed to take the grandson to Etna, (in part), starting from the Sapienza refuge with the cable car and then with the 4x4 buses up to 2800 then climbed on foot to 3100, and came down by cable car... the summit craters are still in limbo between authorization or not... 2 June 25 magnificent eruption seen from Calatabiano
To classify; Of course we didn't go that high. That was the cable car and the Unimog up in the ice and lava desert. It was really cold (-4 degrees), it was snowing and we had a lot of clouds, which unfortunately prevented us from getting a good view😟. But it was exciting and interesting. We had warm feet from below and also dug a few warm lava stones out of the ground. Although the crater (rim) we were standing on had erupted in 2002. The film scenes from this outbreak were seen in the Star Wars film, "Revenge of the Sith".
Ride with the cable car to 2500m then with the off-road bus to 2900 the rest was hiking - very windy, so it was not possible to go around the crater