Mount Etna, Sicily

Mount Etna is the most active volcano in Europe and Sicily’s biggest ‘attraction’ so is definitely on all ‘must do’ lists for the area. I had hiked a volcano earlier this year in Guatemala but it hadn’t been quite what I expected (cue heavy mist and winds)…and it turned out this volcano-climbing time was much the same! 

The walks to the top of the volcano were cancelled due to storms (apparently lightening and active volcanoes isn’t a good match!) so we did a more gentle trek along the south side of Mount Etna.

 

  
We hiked past former lava flows...

...old craters...

...local foliage, including the spiky ‘mother-in-law’ flower...

...and stunning valley views.

In total we hiked for around 4 hours from 1900m altitude up to 2100m high.

'The view!'

The ground underfoot was all volcanic stone and ash...

Stopping for a picnic lunch on the way back...

Before checking out the volcanic rock jewellery back at base camp (with a mug of hot tea!)