An idea for an adventurous winter trip to Mount Etna? Let us guide you to Polar Cave. Discovered just a few years ago by two explorer brothers, Dario and Paolo Teri, this is the “second southernmost perennial glacier in Europe”. In fact, until 2020, only the Grotta del Gelo (Ice Cave) held this record. The discovery of Polar Cave has instead paved the way for other sensational discoveries… and it has been discovered that cavities containing ice, here on Mount Etna, are numerous!
Polar Cave: for a select few
Located on the northwest slope, in a rugged area that requires considerable effort to reach, Polar Cave is not a destination for everyone. Only a select few, very well trained and equipped, can brave it, and paradoxically, this lack of mass tourism has preserved its beauty, making it even more of a tourist paradise. The Polar Cave teaches us how to do tourism properly, that is, with moderation and thoughtfulness. You don’t “venture” up here… either you go with a good professional guide or you seriously risk your life. The Polar Cave gets its name from the fact that it’s said to be even deeper and colder than the Ice Cave. Numerous aquifers flow downstream from here, which ensures that the Etna villages almost never have water problems. As the Teri brothers described it, inside the Polar Cave there is “a truly significant amount of ice, in some places exceeding 3 meters thick!”
How to get to the cave
To reach the Polar Cave, you have to walk a long way and in challenging conditions: expanses of lava rock, often covered in snow and exposed to the cold of the north face. You can reach this point by car, driving from Linguaglossa, then the route is all about “hard legwork”.
Before embarking on this undoubtedly challenging journey, you need to be trained like a pro. A lot of gym time, lots of hiking, and even some rock climbing experience. You need to equip yourself with suitable equipment, namely speleological equipment: pickaxes, cables, helmets, etc. You need to bring everything you need to face the cold, such as thermal blankets, thermos, thick gloves, and snow boots.
You must follow the guides’ instructions to the letter. Doing things your own way in certain environments, at certain latitudes, and especially in winter temperatures, is never a good idea. And if the guide says you have to stop or turn back, don’t complain! Just do it.
Why in winter?
The perennial ice inside the Polar Cave allows you to experience the same emotions even during a spring or summer excursion. But in winter, the magic is doubly powerful. The snowy landscape gives this cave an even more “polar” aura. And if you’re among the select few, resilient and organized enough to attempt this adventure this season… don’t give up!