Walking tours – Sicilian Volcanoes

Day 1 – Arrival in Catania

Arrival at Catania airport. Private transfer to the hotel reserved. Rest of the day at disposal. We can book visits and activities. Overnight

Day 2 – Catania

Full day at disposal. We can book visits and activities. Overnight

Day 3 – Catania – Milazzo – Lipari

Individual transfer to the train station and train ride to Milazzo where you board the hydrofoil boat to Lipari where you stay for 4 nights. Lipari is the liveliest centre of the Eolian islands: you can visit the old fortress, stroll around the fish market or enjoy some good music in a bistro of Marina Vecchia. Overnight

Day 4 – The Island of Lipari (selection of walks)

For the next days you have a selection of walks and excursions you can do. You are free to choose which ones to do and in which order. 3 walks are on Lipari Island while the other two are on Vulcano and Salina islands. Ovenights

WALK A – The island of Lipari – the southern tip and Monte Guardia, 11 km – This varied walk on the south point of Lipari, with views on the Island of Vulcano, starts and ends at the Port. In the first part you walk to an astronomical observatory, overlooking Vulcano and the rugged cliffs called “faraglioni”. In the second part you descend to the old town centre of Lipari, with its historical and artistic beauties.

WALK B – The Island of Lipari – from Acquacalda to Canneto, 5,5 km – From Lipari you will reach the Acquacalda beach, on the northern shore of the island, with a short bus ride. You can stop there for a bath before starting your walk on a steep path winding on the side of a big pumice cave, almost touching Mount Pilato, admiring the wonderful view on the archipelago. You will then descend towards the Canneto beach, from where you can take a bus back to Lipari.

WALK C – The Island of Lipari – from Lipari to Quattropani, 13.5 km – From Lipari take the local bus to Quattropani, the starting point of this walk along the western coast of the island, the wildest part of Lipari and a real plunge into wilderness! After some magnificent land and sea views you reach the San Calogero thermal baths, thought to be the oldest spa in the Mediterranean, dating back to the Mycenaean period. You then walk back to Lipari, through villages and fumaroles.

WALK D – Vulcano Island: Round walk to the Gran Cratere, 5.7 km – Vulcano is a small and spectacular island. Here you walk up through an almost lunar landscape to the “Gran Cratere” the great crater, yellowish from the sulfurous smoke constantly emitted. From the top you have exceptional 360° views of the island and the volcanic archipelago. The descent along green slopes offers amazing contrasts of colors with the blue sea and the dark grey rocks. You return to Lipari with the afternoon boat.

WALK F – Salina Island, 7.6 km – Salina is an island with a magical, out-of-time atmosphere a short hydrofoil ride from Lipari. Take the bus to Semaforo of Pollara where the walk along the western coast of Salina starts. It is a demanding climb through steep ups and downs, but your efforts are rewarded with amazing views on the Filicudi and Alicudi islands The walk ends in Rinella, where you can take a bus back to the main port of Salina. Pollara is the village where the film “The Postman” was filmed.

Day 5 – Selection of walks

You can choose one of the above Walks. Overnight.

Day 6 – Selection of walks

You can choose one of the above Walks. Overnight.

Day 7 –  Stromboli to Sciara del Fuoco

Today you transfer to Stromboli, at the port your luggage will be taken to the hotel while you stroll through the narrow whitewashed streets to the hotel.
The walk on Stromboli is a one of a kind and spectacular experience as this volcano is constantly erupting.
You have two walking options on the volcano :
• OPTION A A circular walk to 272 m. a.s.l from where you can see the lava flow field called the “Sciara di Fuoco”: this option is open to everyone, and is normally always accessible.
• OPTION B A strenuous there and back climb to the top of Mt Stromboli with an authorized volcanologist guide in a guided group walk to the top 900m a.s.l. The walk starts in the late afternoon, reaching the top at sunset where you stop for a good while to observe the constantly erupting volcano from close up. The descent is at night, you need to bring a flashlight as there is no public street lights on this island. The climb/descent of the top half of the volcano is on volcanic ash
• IMPORTANT: Access to the top is limited to 80 people at a time and only if accompanied by a volcanologist /mountain guide. This walk may be restricted or cancelled at short notice due to volcanic activity or bad weather.
• The guided tour to the top Stromboli is prebooked, as it can be difficult to book a place once there, BUT has to be paid

Day 8 –  Stromboli – Taormina

Today you go from Stromboli to Milazzo by hydrofoil and then take the train or bus to Taormina. You have the whole afternoon to explore on your own this beautiful and lively city. Visiting the Cathedral and the ancient Greek Theatre, built in the 3° century B.C. and wonderfully preserved. Quench your thirst with a frozen “granita”, a local specialty made up of shaved ice and syrup accompanied by a delicious brioche. Overnight.

Day 9 –  Guided hiking group tour on Mount Etna (10 km)

After breakfast you are transferred to Piano Provenzano, where an easy guided walking trip takes you up the big giant, the majestic Mount Etna. You will walk through lush vegetation, on old and new lava flows and enter a lava flow cave carved into the mountain. Included lunch is in a local winery serving locally sourced produces. The afternoon continues with a visit to unique Alcantara Gorge with it’s strange rock shapes formed as the ancient lava flow entered the freezing cold river. You return to Taormina around 6.30pm where you can enjoy a last evening in town. NOTE: The excursion to the Etna mountain is quite easy, it includes also the lunch; pick-up from the hotel in Taormina is at 9.00 am

Day 10 – Taormina/departure

The trip and our services end after breakfast. We will provide a private transfer to Catania airport for departure or proceed with your trip in Italy

Difficulty: 🔴 🔴 ⚪️ ⚪️ ⚪️

Trip Grade: Some easy some moderate walks

Activity characteristics: The walks are along well trodden, uneven trails, footpaths, mule tracks and some asphalt roads