Monte Saraceno – loop tour on the Island of Vulcano

Third day of our trip to Sicily and the Aeolian Islands. 🇮🇹🏖 After crossing to Lipari last night, we made a detour to Vulcano today. The island's name says it all 🌋 and I'm already getting Icelandic vibes. 🥰 While Mount Etna, with its crater landscape, is more reminiscent of Hverfjall or Eldfell, the atmosphere here is sulfurous, like Reykjaladur or Hverir. Before the intense heat, we quickly climbed the mountain to enjoy the crater and the landscape. Climbing is prohibited during the midday heat, as the heat drives out the sulfurous gases. Back at the beach, a no less strenuous but equally impressive kayak tour with caves awaited us. 🚣🏻‍♂️ All in all, a definite travel or excursion recommendation, and for me, a compensation for the short visit to Mount Etna. 😅👍🏻

The first part, "Cratere di Volcano," is a must, the second part, "Monte Saraceno," is nice to have. The climb through the canyon offers beautiful views of the crater, but is arduous, as you end up having to walk through sand for quite a while. Later on the road, the path offers little of interest. At least there is a small rest area with benches at the entrance to the town. When you finally reach the summit, the picturesque views really begin. They make up for the climb. The last few hundred meters are walked along the road back to the starting point.

Before we even set foot on the island, the smell of sulfur fills our nostrils. All the traffic lights for the Great Crater are red. We heed the warning and hike together to the village of Vulcano Piano, crossing the road. There, we stop for lunch with a view of the Great Crater. Now we continue through the sprawling village and along a track to the highest mountain, Monte Saraceno (482 m). The Great Crater lies below me, and I have a panoramic view of all the Aeolian Islands. I opt for the alpine descent via the crater. After the steep descent, partly over fine ash, I reach a track again, and later, I follow the road back down to the harbor with its fumaroles and mud bath. An interesting hike.