Sunset at 2.920 mt Etna North

Some sunsets you watch from a terrace with a drink in hand. And then there’s this one: the sun dropping over Etna while you’re standing at 2800 metres, lava underfoot and all of Sicily spread out in front of you. It’s not the same thing. It’s not even comparable.

The north side of Etna is the side most visitors never see. More isolated, rawer. The 2002 lava flows permanently reshaped these flanks — black fissures in the rock, volcanic sand still shifting in the wind today, a landscape that reminds you how recent, and how alive, this mountain still is.

This is where the tour begins, at Piano Provenzana, in the late afternoon. We drive up in 4×4 vehicles along the eruption-scarred hillside, reaching 2800 metres, where the Northeast Crater dominates the horizon. From there you walk: a trail through scoria and volcanic bombs, 300 metres of elevation gain between the vehicles and the viewpoint.

It’s not a difficult walk. But when you get to the top and see the Valle del Leone and the Valle del Bove open up below you, you understand why you came.

For several days, Mount Etna has been putting on a spectacular show. At sunset, a new lava flow was visible, a river of lava flowing toward the Valle del Leone. We will stop to admire this splendid spectacle from a suitable and regulated distance, to see if the lava flow is still active and likely degassing.

Excursions may be subject to change or interrupted due to weather or volcanological reasons. In the event of sudden ordinances in July/August 2026, the maximum altitude reached will be 2,400/2,500 meters, depending on the prefecture’s orders or at the discretion of the guide and organization.

We wait for the sunset up there. When the sky is clear, you can see all of Sicily down to the sea — and the sun dropping behind the island from that altitude is something that stays with you. Then we head back through Piano delle Concazze, down to Piano Provenzana, with that light still in your eyes.

If weather conditions are unfavourable, we’ll contact you as early as possible about any cancellation or postponement. If you have any health conditions, let your guide know before departure. The excursion runs in compliance with current regulations.