--- title: Etna Volcano: South Side Guided Summit Hike lang: en type: tour city: Catania country: Italy price: 65 currency: EUR price_unit: per_person availability: bookable rating: 4.88 reviews: 324 duration_minutes: 360 languages: [en, it, fr] free_cancellation: true guidekin_pick: Summit craters? rank_in_category: 14 of 35 (Etna Tours) schedule_checked: 2026-09-26 data_updated: 2026-10-01 canonical: https://guidekin.com/italy/catania/tours/etna-volcano-south-side-guided-summit-hike/ --- # Etna Volcano: South Side Guided Summit Hike **Guidekin's take:** The summit craters with volcanological guides, from Rifugio Sapienza by cable car and jeep, then a two hour walk to the rim of the Central Crater, route set by the day's volcanic risk. Boots, poles, helmet and insurance are provided; cable car and jeep tickets are paid locally, and the grade is medium to high. 4.88 from 324 reviews at €65 per person. **Summit craters?:** For summit craters, hike with volcanological guides: 6h, €65 per person; cable car and jeep tickets paid on site. 4.88, 324 reviews. Trade-off: Cable car and jeep tickets paid on site; no pickup. (last checked September 26, 2026) ## Overview Each excursion is carried out in compliance with the levels of volcanic risk. After the meeting and departure from Piazzale Rifugio Sapienza (Etna Sud), with the cable car and 4x4 jeep you reach an altitude of 2,800 meters and from here in about 2 hours of walking through lava flows and environments looking lunar, you reach the Etna Summit Craters at 3340mt. Here we will walk on the spectacular rim of the Central Crater, we will face the dizzying Northeast Crater and we will see at our side the famous Southeast Crater, author of the most recent and impressive eruptions. In addition to the vastness of the summit craters, you will admire a unique volcanic environment, with gas emissions, volcanic bombs and the sparkling colors of the ground thanks to the sublimation of various elements, including sulfur in particular. During the descent we will visit the craters of Barbagallo and cross a lava channel. Once again at 2500 m with the Etna cable car we will return to the starting point. ## Before you book - Meeting point: Departure from Piazzale Rifugio Sapienza… - Starts 08:00: one departure a day - Food not included: Snack and food - Age 10+: minimum age to join ## Key facts - Price: from €65 per person - Duration: 6h - Rating: 4.88/5 from 324 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor) - Free cancellation (see policy below) - Recommended by 97% of travellers (share of four- and five-star reviews) - Operator: Ashàra Etna & Stromboli Guides ## What's included - Trekking boots - Trekking sticks - Helmet - Insurance and Volcanological Guides ## Not included - Bottle of water - Snack and food - Cable car and 4x4 jeep tickets (65€ per person) to be paid locally - Pick up transfer service from Catania or around - Wind jacket ## Schedule - Runs: daily - Departures: 08:00 - Schedule last checked: 2026-09-26 - These are published departures, not a live seat count; availability is confirmed at checkout. ## Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. ## Meeting point Departure from Piazzale Rifugio Sapienza at our Ashàra's Info point located close to Terrazza dell'Etna Restaurant Map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJmzq8ULGrFhMRo-1i0lb8FG0 ## Good to know - Public transportation options are available nearby - Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries - Not recommended for pregnant travelers - Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health - Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness - People have to be in a perfect physical conditions. The level is medium-high ## Compared with other Etna Tours | Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Group | |---|---|---|---|---| | **This tour · #14 of 35** | €65 | 6h | 4.88 (324) | shared | | [Etna Tour - HalfDay Small Group & licensed Tour Guide](/italy/catania/tours/etna-tour-halfday-small-group-licensed-tour-guide/?format=md) | €75 | 6h | 4.99 (219) | shared | | [Tour Etna and Wine Tasting](/italy/catania/tours/tour-etna-and-wine-tasting/?format=md) | €145 | 8h | 4.92 (418) | shared | | [Etna Morning tour with lunch included (departure from Catania)](/italy/catania/tours/etna-morning-tour-with-lunch-included-departure-from-catania/?format=md) | €82 | 6h | 4.92 (353) | shared | Ranked #14 of 35 in Etna Tours by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €56 to €329, median €99; typical length 6h. 6 of 35 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market. 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