Looking for a different way to experience Mount Etna in the autumn? Take advantage of October’s weather—with its unpredictable days—and engage in those very “natural” sports that have long been part of mountain life. If you love nature, you’ll enjoy this too. October on Etna is a transitional “hybrid”: the landscape has not yet shed its summer colors, nor has it fully adopted the hues of autumn. Yet, food festivals and tastings of local products begin popping up everywhere, attracting not just tourists but also locals and enthusiasts. We invite you to try—at least once—one of these… “sports”: mushroom foraging, walnut picking, or chestnut gathering.
Wandering the volcano in October…
Autumn offers one of Etna’s most evocative spectacles, and October is the first month that invites you to fully enjoy it. A shift occurs in the woods; the air turns crisp, and scents become more intense. Among the volcano’s various slopes, the northeastern side—particularly around Linguaglossa—is especially captivating. Here, you can traverse vast stretches of beech and birch forests that create spectacular autumn scenery. It is one of the best areas for hiking immersed in nature.
The eastern slope—especially between Zafferana Etnea, Milo, and San Giovanni Montebello—is particularly striking for its views of the Ionian Sea and the forests surrounding the volcano. While evergreens abound here, there is no shortage of orchards, beech woods, and groves of chestnut and walnut trees. Many areas are privately owned, but the wind scatters some of the earth’s bounty onto the paths, allowing anyone to enjoy foraging.
The volcano’s other two slopes—south and west—certainly possess their own autumnal charm, though they offer fewer opportunities for gathering. From Nicolosi to Belpasso, the landscape is more open, defined by lava flows, craters, and views of the Sicilian coast—a vista similar to that seen from Bronte and Maletto. These are wild, beautiful landscapes, yet perhaps less suited to those who enjoy mushroom hunting.
Mushrooms on Mount Etna: where and when to find them?
Mushrooms on Etna sprout in abundance on the northern and eastern slopes, though they can also be found in the west (near Monte Minardo) under specific weather conditions. A successful mushroom “hunt” requires heavy rainfall followed by temperatures that remain sufficiently mild.
Mushroom pickers love rising early and hiking—often to high altitudes (over 1,000 meters)—to beat others to the freshest finds. They come prepared with waterproof jackets, boots, and baskets, and—crucially—possess the specialized knowledge needed to identify mushrooms correctly and avoid the risk of poisoning.
On the northern and eastern slopes, ideal spots for foraging include Giarrita and Pietracannone, as well as the woods surrounding the great Ilice Carrinu oak tree. The mushroom season can extend well into November.
Chasing walnuts
On Mount Etna, you really have to “chase” after walnuts! Many walnut groves are privately owned, so you will need to ask for permission—or at least know the area well—if you want to settle for the few nuts that fall beyond the boundary fences.
Walnut foragers often switch to hunting for hazelnuts instead, as they are certainly easier to find in the wild. While they also enjoy walking, they can take a more leisurely pace than others and don’t have to tackle steep elevation changes.
Walnuts and hazelnuts are easily gathered in the countryside around Zafferana, Milo, Linguaglossa, and Castiglione. The best hazelnuts, in particular, can be found in Sant’Alfio – just above the town of Giarre. The search for these products can last for a full three months.
Chestnuts: a late-season treasure
Chestnut foragers know they must wait until late October or early November to find these “late-season treasures.” The nice part is … chestnuts can be found almost everywhere on Etna, and not necessarily on private property.
The chestnut forager is more of a “Sunday tourist” who enjoys walking across all kinds of terrain. They possess great patience when examining the fruit—distinguishing between good and premature ones. They equip themselves with thick gloves to avoid the thorns, as well as sturdy shoes and durable bags… for the very same reason.
On Etna, chestnuts grow in abundance on the eastern slope (Piano Bello in Milo, Magazzeni in Sant’Alfio), but also in certain areas of the southern slope, such as Piano del Vescovo, Rifugio La Ginestra, and the Manfré zone between Nicolosi and Belpasso.
Why is it considered a real sport?
Why is hunting for these products a true October sport? Because it combines various physical activities—walking, climbing trails, bending down to the ground, or reaching up toward a branch. You breathe in fresh air and sharpen both your eyesight and your judgment as you assess situations, opportunities, and potential minor risks (getting pricked, slipping, etc.). The reward is a feast of delicious seasonal fruit or—even better—preparing mouth-watering recipes using the harvest. To enjoy them all in one place, there is nothing better in October than a Sunday visit to the Ottobrata event in Zafferana Etnea! (PHOTOS G. MUSUMECI)