Bove Valley + Mount Etna Hike in Catania - 75567ca70c9c4bedad3ee8cb885edd8d
5.0

Bove Valley + Mount Etna Hike

  • 4 hours
  • Wildlife Nature
  • Catania
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Your local for this experience

Experience hosted by Mirco

  • Private Experience
  • Carbon Neutral

On this hiking tour around Etna and the Bove Valley, we'll follow the Schiena dell'Asino trekking route, one of the easiest trekking routes that can be done in this natural park.

Destination
Catania, Italy
Category
Wildlife Nature
Duration
4 hours
Transport mode
Car
Available languages
Deutsch, English, Español, Italiano
Included
  • Private guide
  • Pick-up Included
Excluded
  • lunch

7 reasons to book this tour

  • Donkey's back path
  • Bove Valley
  • Pytagora's cave
  • walk on black sand channels!
  • 100% personalized tour to your whises
  • see the most active volcano in Europe
  • your private Hike Guide Mirco

What you can expect

Bove Valley + Mount Etna Hike in Catania - 75567ca70c9c4bedad3ee8cb885edd8d

At the indicated time (in the morning) we'll meet at the Schiena dell'Asino car park to start an incredible hiking route that will take us along Etna and the Bove Valley.

The hike will allow us to ascend from 5906 to 6463 feet (1800 to 1970 meters) following the Schiena dell'Asino trail, one of the prettiest trails that can be done in the Etna Natural Park. Its name, which means Path of the Donkey's Back, has a lot to do with a rock formation that we'll see during the route.

Along the way, we'll pass pine forests, and see ancient solidified lava flows, all whilst enjoying unparalleled views of the Sicilian coast and the Ionian Sea.

As we walk, the guide will explain how Etna and all of its caves were formed and how its landscapes have changed throughout history. We'll also delve into the links of this colossal volcano with the culture and way of life in Sicily.

Once we have reached the end of the trail, we'll admire the Bove Valley, an extensive depression of more than 5 miles (8 kilometers) long located on the eastern side of Etna. The volcanic sand gives this place a desert-like appearance that many compare to a lunar landscape!

After admiring the incredible panoramic views that Etna has to offer, we'll start our descent. We'll walk along the Donkey's back, enjoying the landscape of Bove Valley from another perspective. In addition, we'll pass near a large black sand channel and see a volcanic cave: the Pytagora's Cave!

We'll finish the trekking route after a total of 3 or 4 hours, arriving back at the starting point.

Do you want to change the route a bit? Do you want to make it longer, because you love trekking? No problem, your hosts will be happy to customize the tour according to your wishes!

This is the plan

Check out the plan below to see what you'll get up to with your local host. Feel free to personalize this offer with Mirco.

  1. Meeting point

    You will be picked up anywhere in Catania. Your local host will contact you regarding the exact pickup point.

  2. Itinerary

    This is what our experience could look like, but it’s not set in stone! Once you book, you can chat directly with your host to make small tweaks to suit your preferences.

  3. pine forest of Donkey's back

    We start crossing this pine forest, walking on the Donkey's back path

  4. Hornitos

    Particular lavic conformations I'll show you and I explain you how they form

  5. Bove Valley

    A huge depression 7km large x 5 kilometers width

  6. Pytagora's cave

    Interesting cave you can see during this path. I'll tell you how caves on mount Etna are you used to form

  7. walk/run on lava sand channels!

    Nice activity that you will feel like you are on the moon!

  8. Make it yours

    Want to tweak the itinerary? Book directly & chat afterwards with your host to adjust highlights, skip stops, or make small changes to fit your preferences.

    Book risk-free: Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund.

    Need something special? Personalize your experience for more time, alternative locations or a completely tailored plan.

I can personalize this tour for you

I can personalize this tour for you

  • Tell me your preferred date and group size
  • Tell me your preferences and wishes so I can customize the tour for you
  • Wait for my personal offer in your inbox!

Flexible cancellation policy

  • Feel confident booking

    Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund. Even up to 7 days before your experience, you’ll receive a refund, minus the service fee.

  • Change of plans?

    Reschedule your experience to a date and time that works best for you.

  • Loved by travelers worldwide

    Simple and flexible – your plans, your way.

Withlocals experiences
are always

Private & personalizedNo strangers, just you. Fully customize your trip to your needs.
With a local expertFrom historical facts to the most up-to-date health regulations.
Without the crowdsExperiences designed to take you away from the crowds towards authentic local spots.

More about me

Hiking Guide and Tour Guide!

If you want to discover Etna, some natural beauties in East Sicily, or cities like Catania, Syracuse or Taormina, contact me!

Six years ago gave life to a project, with the idea of shooting documentaries about each area of Sicily I visit, to document it through short videos and tell it to the viewers. Thanks to this idea, asking hospitality to the municipalities and, in return, I make a video, I have been discoverin tons of hidden natural, urban and archeological gems.

What's the aim of my ''withlocals'' profile? Show the travellers how much-hidden beauties we have in Sicily.

I want you to experience Sicily deeply as Sicilians do.

For this reason, thanks to my work of documentaries around Sicily (subtitled in English and many other languages) I am also known as “the popularizer of Sicilianity”!

My YT project is "Mirco Mannino - in Viaggio con Te", subtitled in many languages.

See you soon in Sicily!

Other experiences with Mirco

€150per person
Kids join for free