Hiking Mt. Vesuvius, Mt. Etna, and the Aeolian Islands
Hiking Italy’s Volcano Trails
Overview
Our adventure in Italy's south—the mezzogiorno—with its palm-fringed bays, shimmering aquamarine seas, seaside villages, and mouth-watering cuisine, is framed by a sublime setting: the dramatic volcano-isles of Stromboli, Vulcano, Lipari, and tiny Panarea, as well as magnificent Mt. Etna. After a hike on the crater rim of Mt. Vesuvius and a visit to ancient Pompeii, we ferry to the Aeolian Islands, believed by the ancient Greeks to be the home of Aeolus, the king of the winds. Conditions permitting, our hikes bring us to the summits of Stromboli and Vulcano (from which all volcanoes get their name), while coastal walks on Panarea and Lipari reward us with Roman ruins and vivid views of the blue Mediterranean. The surreal moonscapes of Mt. Etna (10,500'), dominating the Sicilian skyline, are the memorable backdrop for our final hikes. We end our journey in lovely Taormina, with its breathtaking panoramas of sea and sky.
Arrive: Naples, Italy
Depart: Catania, Italy
Highlights
- Hike to the summit of Mt. Etna, highest volcano in Europe
- Summit hikes on the dramatic volcanoes of Stromboli and Vulcano
- Explore the stunning Aeolian Islands, surrounded by azure seas
- Taormina, an enchanting hilltown with a preserved Greek theater
Itinerary
After gathering in Naples, we head to the archaeological site of Cumae, famed for its evocative Cave of the Cumean Sybil, a mysterious place of long, trapezoidal galleries cut out of solid rock. The next day we hike around the far rim of Mt. Vesuvius, with a look into the abyss of its volcanic caldera, then head to the fascinating remains of legendary Pompeii, engulfed—and preserved—by Vesuvius' ash. We enjoy a delicious pizza dinner in the city in which it was born, then board the overnight ferry bound for Stromboli in the Aeolian Islands.
Our ferry arrives at dramatic Stromboli, a volcano-island that achieved its modern fame when Italian director Roberto Rossellini and Ingrid Bergman filmed Stromboli here in 1949. We take a sunset hike to the summit of its perfect cone—the ideal time to observe fiery displays against the night sky. Taking the hydrofoil to Panarea, we hike along the island's rugged cliffs, then boat to the sublime island of Lipari.
On Lipari we hike a spectacular coastal path to the old Roman thermal baths at San Calogero, with glorious views of Vulcano Island and other rock formations rising straight out of the blue Aeolian Sea. The next day we ferry to Vulcano, from which all volcanoes get their name, and hike to the top of the volcano itself.
Ferrying to the Sicilian mainland, we hike on the north face of Mt. Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe. We view craters of the Monte Pizzillo area, which date from Etna's 19th century explosion, then end our hike at the “Bocche del 2002,” the mouth of the huge lava flow of 2002. The following day we take a 4WD vehicle up to 9,000 feet, then hike to the summit at 11,000 feet. The views are incredible!
At the base of Etna, we hike above the spectacular Alcantara Gorge, a 100-foot-deep lava flow that has been water-carved into fantastic formations to create an amazing natural wonder. Our relaxing grand finale finds us in enchanting Taormina. From the town's spectacular Greek theater, Mt. Etna dominates a view little altered since the theater was built in the 3rd century BC. We depart via Catania on Day 11.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated a Level 4 (Moderate to Strenuous) according to our trip grading system. You will need to be comfortable hiking 8 miles a day, being on your feet for up to 6 hours a day, and hiking on uneven surfaces including downhill over loose scree. You will also need to be able to keep up with the moderate but steady pace of the group, as with the exception of a couple days, there are no alternative hiking options available. Summitting any of the volcanoes, especially Mt. Etna, is never a given, due to the unpredictability of weather and volcanic activity. We do our best to provide you with these opportunities, but ask that you have a flexible attitude in case of inclement weather or volcanic conditions. Please keep in mind our trip offers ample equally fascinating activities!
Review Trip Level Details
Average Hiking Day
- 4-5 miles
- 4 hours
- 1,100-1,300 feet gain/loss
- Day 8: 8.5 miles, 8 hours, 1,550 feet gain, and 4,900 feet loss; alternative option of 5 miles, 4 hours, and 1,550 feet gain/loss
While the length of our hikes is not exceptionally long, there are steep ascents and descents. Much of our hiking is on volcanic terrain which can be rough with patches of soft ash, sharp rock, and ridges and pockets of lava flows that can make footing tricky. Mount Etna is at about 11,000 feet and can be the most challenging. The possibility of reaching its summit (and the summits of some of the other volcanoes) is very dependent on weather and volcanic activity.
The weather in southern Italy and Sicily in late spring and early fall is usually very pleasant, with temperatures in the 70s°F and 80s°F during the day, and in the 60s°F at night. Cool breezes, strong winds, and showers can occur at any time, and it can get very cold on Mt. Etna—there's even a possibility of encountering snow on the trails in April.
We spend most of our nights in small, picturesque inns, full of Italian charm and ambiance. All hotels are chosen for their history and central location. Since they are often in historic buildings, the rooms are not always of uniform or international size. Our leaders do their best to assign rooms in a fair way so that all participants experience an equal advantage throughout the trip as a whole. We will also spend one night aboard an overnight public ferry, and while we reserve the best available rooms with ensuite baths, the rooms are very small and basic. Single rooms can be requested but are not always available, due to the limited space in the hotels. If you prefer a single room, please make your request as early as possible.
Most lunches are at local restaurants, with a few served picnic-style during our hikes. Dinners are at restaurants in town. We have an opportunity to sample a variety of Italian specialties, including fresh fish, pasta, and couscous. Please note that in Europe, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but many restaurants in Sicily do open until 7:30pm, so the evening meal will be at 7:30pm at the earliest.
For most of the trip, our van will transport the group's luggage, so you only need to carry a daypack for items you need for the day (rain gear, sweater, camera, water bottle, etc.). Trip members are always free to skip a day's hike and travel to the next destination in the support vehicle (or remain at the hotel if we are not transferring that day). We will be taking an overnight ferry at the beginning of the trip, so you will need to be able to transport your luggage.
Client Testimonials
"It was a fantastic itinerary! We started with Vesuvius and it allowed for an easy trek. And then it got progressively more challenging with each volcano. The changing of hotels every 2 days was wonderful."
Angie P.
Woodbridge, Ontario
"We loved this trip and seeing the different types of volcanoes and experiencing the variety of southern Italy, especially through its cuisine. The hike up Stromboli was a special highlight. We fell in love with southern Italy, especially the Aeolian Islands."
Carol and Jim B.
Kensington, MD
"I think I have been on 12 or so trips with you guys and this might be the best ever—guides were great, hiking five volcanoes was something not to be missed, food and wine and coffee unbelievable!"
Craig K.
Sewickley, PA
"A marvelous tour of active volcanoes at one of the hearts of western civilization, with an eye to how people have related to these wonders and hazards through time!"
Donna A.
Golden, CO
"It was an amazing trip. Such a wide variety of experiences—every day was different and just kept getting better."
Gretchen Y.
Sedona, AZ
"This is a great trip. One high point was watching lava explosions at night on Stromboli. Stunning! Another was walking through Pompeii with our guide bringing it to life in our imaginations."
Jamey H.
Newton, MA
"What a marvelous trip! By far the most enjoyable adventure because of the many activities planned day after day. From sea to towns to mountains, there was never a dull moment. Apart from that, our guides were always on point in anticipation of our needs, interests, and questions. The trip showed me a side of Italy that I never knew existed. I have been to Italy more than half a dozen times, but I never knew that Sicily and the Aeolian a Islands were so intoxicatingly beautiful."
Josie V.
Woodbridge, Ontario
"This trip was spectacular. The itinerary, the food, the accommodations, the guides—all were top notch. Looking forward to future trips!"
Liz P.
Toronto, Ontario
"This was a great adventure and I loved hiking on the volcanoes! I was concerned about the overnight ferry, but it was fun and the accommodations were good. The cooking class was a lot of fun—everyone enjoyed it and got involved. I am very happy that I got to visit the Aeolian Islands, which I wouldn't have heard about if not for this trip."
Melissa M.
Kihei, HI
"Please keep this destination! It's a truly amazing experience. Having three guides allowed for each of us to have a unique experience."
Pam M.
Lake Forest, IL
"Fantastic trip, wonderful hikes, terrific food, great guides. We will continue to use WT for many trips in the future."
Thomas Y.
Sedona, AZ
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.