Foliage season (from the French “feuillage”) is the time of year when the trees turn yellow or red just before losing their leaves. It is a very specific moment in autumn, when different conditions intertwine—temperature, rainfall, humidity—favoring the die-off of seasonal leaves. Every mountain has a foliage season, and on Mount Etna, which by its 3,400 meters offers diverse climates, it occurs between late October and mid-November. If you enjoy photographing autumn leaves, here’s how and where you can do it when you are on our volcano.
Useful tips
Photographing autumn leaves on Etna is not complicated, because foliage explodes almost everywhere on the volcano, and you don’t need to venture down dangerous trails to admire it. However, Etna is not a mountain like any other. It is an active volcano. And as such, it should be approached with respect. Always consult weather forecasts before setting out on your “leaf hike.” And if you’re unfamiliar with the area, hire a local guide.
Autumn leaves at Piano Provenzana
Piano Provenzana, on the north flank of Etna, is one of the most spectacular places for leaf photography. Following the main road, between the ski resorts and the Riconco Favazzo crater (now home to a sheepfold), lies a beech grove that turns gold, orange, and bright red in November. Your car can be easily parked on the road. The path into the forest is a bit steep but absolutely easy to navigate. This place is worth being photographed in the morning, with the sun shining head-on on the forest.
From Piano Provenzana also starts the trail to the Timparossa beech forest, where—as the Italian name suggests—red color dominates in autumn! The hike lasts about 45 minutes, overcoming a fairly challenging initial climb before continuing on a flat trail of medium-low difficulty.
Sartorius Craters: the golden birches
Still on the north side, it’s worth admiring the delicate foliage of the birch forests around the Sartorius Craters. The trees, with their characteristic white trunks, turn golden yellow, but their leaves will fall soon, so photographing them before the wind blows them away is a privilege for a lucky few! The trail is easy, comfortable, and suitable for families, and the ideal time for a shooting is in the morning.
Chestnut leaves
The eastern side of Etna is rich in chestnut groves, and these trees, too, turn yellow and red in autumn. The fall of the chestnuts
completes the exhilarating autumnal hues. The hills above Sant’Alfio—specifically, the Magazzeni area—are a spectacular sight in this season, as are the trails of Piano Bello above Milo. Here, too, it’s advisable to photograph the autumn leaves in the morning, given the eastern exposure towards the sun.
Piano del Vescovo
Moving south, at Piano del Vescovo open up before two easy hiking trails. The vegetation here is rich in chestnut and beech trees, allowing you to admire the fabulous colors of the foliage. Whichever trail you choose, you’ll be able to take breathtaking photos, especially if you choose to do so during the hours of midday and early afternoon, when the sun shines.
Mount Spagnolo
Mount Spagnolo is a crater located northwest, between Randazzo and Maletto. Not far from a convenient picnic area (Case Giusa, about 4 km away), it is home to Etna’s largest beech forest. The colors are stunning and create a unique contrast with the ancient black lava flows. Again, the best time to take photos here is early afternoon so to make the most of the sunlight before the rapid autumn sunset. (ALL PHOTOS BY GR. MUSUMECI)