volcano Archives

Bivouac or refuge: all the pros and cons of each choice

Posted on 27/07/2026 by Grazia Musumeci

Bivouac or refuge? At first glance, they seem more or less the same thing, but they’re not. Generally speaking, they aren’t, and especially on Mount Etna, there’s a fundamental difference between the two that you need to know before venturing onto the trails. At first glance… little wooden or stone houses, small windows, cooking spaces… […]

Castles of Etna 3: Castiglione di Sicilia

Posted on 20/07/2026 (20/07/2026) by Grazia Musumeci

Castiglione di Sicilia is one of the most charming villages in eastern Sicily, located in the metropolitan district of Catania, on the slopes of Mount Etna and within the picturesque Alcantara Valley. Mass tourism isn’t always drawn to this unique setting, which they glimpse from afar on their way to the famous gorges, yet a […]

Etna from sunset to dawn: a night hiking

Posted on 13/07/2026 by Grazia Musumeci

There’s a special thrill to have on an active volcano: breathing in its vibrant energy at night. This experience is possible on Etna, naturally always accompanied by a local guide who knows the area and its secrets, even… without light. The allure of Etna at night goes far beyond the spectacle of an eruption (which […]

UPDATE: Crater Voragine eruption has ended

Posted on 09/07/2026 by Grazia Musumeci

The eruption that had tour operators across the Ionian coast of Catania buzzing in early July appears to have ended, as unexpectedly as it began. The eruptive events involving the Voragine crater and its neighboring northeast area ended on the morning of July 7th after a night of exceptional fire show. […]

Etna: the eruption begins at the Voragine Crater

Posted on 05/07/2026 (05/07/2026) by Grazia Musumeci

This time, it seems to have really started. On the morning of Sunday, July 5, 2026, around 9:00 a.m., a tall column of ash rose from the summit of Mount Etna, surprising all the foothill villages on a beautiful day with excellent visibility. Tourists, already ascending toward the volcano, and residents, literally watched the […]