Etna Serracozzo trail – 1928 Lava Flow – Thieves Lava cave

The Trekking excursion in one of the most interesting Etna nature path and visit to the Thieves Lava cave.

The Etna trekking tour on the Serracozzo  nature path is an exciting naturalistic experience to discover the extraordinary panorama of Etna.
Together with our  guides, you will leave for a trekking excursion on the volcano along one of the most fascinating itineraries of the Etna Park.
The route of  the trekking  develops in the eastern area of the Etna volcano at an altitude of 1750 meters, near the Citelli Refuge.
The trekking along the Serracozzo path is immersed in the splendid natural setting of the Etna Park and you will cross different areas of the territory where you can see unique landscapes.

During the suggestive walk along the Serracozzo path you will cross the luxuriant vegetation consisting of  beech and birch trees , you will be able to see the Monte Frumento delle Concazze, the fracture of the lava flow of 1928, the Citelli refuge and the Ionian coast.
After an easy trek of about 2,5 km among  pine and chestnut woods, you will reach the top a ridge where you can see a valley, inside which there is the beautiful Serracozzo lava cave.

The grotto is of lavic origin, that dates back to the 1971 eruption on the eastern side of Etna and it represent  a perfect example of a lava tube.
It is a lava tube unique  for its shape and colors that characterize this jewel of the Etna volcano.
After a careful visit to the cave, on the way back, we will see the lava flow of 1928.

The last part of our excursion will take place in Piano delle Donne to see an important testimony of the past of the Etna volcano: the Thieves cave or also named Snow cave.

Excursion to the thieves cave

The Thieves lava cave  is located in the municipality of Sant’Alfio (Catania) at an altitude of 1540 meters  and represents a perfect example of a lava tube.

A legend tells that in the second half of the 18th century the grotto was used by some bandits as a refuge.
Easy to reach and visit, the lava cave is located in a forest of Etna birch trees, in an area characterized by a prehistoric flow,

With its large rooms, the small staircase carved into the rock, the two different entrances and the three wells dug by man, the Thieves lava cave is one of the most particular lava caves of Etna.
To visit it all you need is a torch and a helmet, which will be provided free of charge.

The naturalist guides will accompany you for the entire duration of the excursion to the Thieves lava cave and will let you know the geological and morphological characteristics of the cave and also tell you the interesting anecdotes.
The Thieves lava cave or also named cave of snow , since it was used in the winter to store the snow and make ice trade during the hot season.

The visit to the  Thieves lava cave concludes this suggestive walk on Etna.
The Etna trekking tour on the Serracozzo path is an excursion suitable for the whole family.

The perfect experience to climb Mount Etna with your children