Hiking Mount Etna: how access works
Older guides quote one fixed altitude above which you need a guide. That is no longer accurate. Access to the summit area is set by ordinances of the municipalities on the slopes, and they work with zones and alert phases, not with one contour line. On the south side the relevant towns are Nicolosi and Belpasso. The north side follows Linguaglossa.
The practical result: below the restricted zone you can walk without a guide, for example around the Silvestri craters. Inside it, when the alert phase is ATTENZIONE, you need an authorised alpine or volcanological guide. Your operator knows the phase on the day. Ask before you go, and read the activity page for the latest reports.
Altitude limits on Mount Etna: the rules compared
Two municipal ordinances on the south side, as published by the towns.
| Rule | Nicolosi (Ordinance 13, 11 September 2025) | Belpasso (Ordinance 135, 10 August 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Zone | New restricted zone (ZPP), replacing the old Zona Gialla | ZPP in the high part of the municipality |
| Guide at alert phase ATTENZIONE | Authorised alpine or volcanological guide | Authorised guide |
| Group size | 10 guests per guide | 10 guests per guide |
| Gap between groups | 15 minutes | 15 minutes |
| Daily cap | 300 guests | 300 guests |
| Distance to Southeast Crater base | At least 300 m in a straight line | At least 300 m |
| Distance to active lava | – | At least 50 m from lava edges and fronts |
| Equipment | Suitable clothing and helmet | Mountain clothing and approved helmet |
The Nicolosi ordinance replaces ordinance 12 of 2025 and stays in force until a successor act replaces it. The zone follows a regional map of 21 August 2025, not one altitude. Do not apply these limits to other slopes.
Our picks: Etna hikes
Guided options from Rifugio Sapienza and a lighter hike with a lava cave.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Etna morning or sunset tour with tasting
Air-conditioned transfer from your hotel, a light guided hike, a lava cave, helmet and torch, plus cantucci and Zibibbo wine. No cable car.
Check availability →Guided summit hike on Etna, up to 3,400 m
A volcano guide, helmet and insurance. The cable car for the 3,000 m option costs €54 per adult and cable car plus 4x4 for 3,400 m costs €82, paid on site.
Check availability →
Etna trek to 3,000 m with cable car and 4x4
A guide, hiking boots, thick socks, helmet, rain jacket and rucksack. The cable car and 4x4 bus cost €45 per person on site.
Check availability →Guided hikes on Mount Etna
Summit hikes, cable car packages and sunset treks with authorised guides, with live prices and availability.
Rules that change with the alert phase
Why a fixed height never works.
Guides apply phases at once
The ordinance obliges guides to follow phase changes announced by the region straight away. A route open in the morning can close by noon.
Further measures
Belpasso's ordinance also lists escalation steps and closures that depend on the phase. Read the full text or ask your operator before the day.
Tour names are not permits
A product called Tour 3000 or a title with 3,400 m names an aim. The height you actually reach depends on the authorities on the day.
North side
The north side falls under Linguaglossa, which has its own act. Ask the operator which limit applies when you book there. See Etna tours for the north side packages.
What to wear and carry
The basics for a walk at 2,500 m and above.
Footwear and wind layer
The cable car operator recommends hiking boots and a windbreaker. At the top station you can rent a windbreaker, shoes and poles. Ask for the rental prices on site.
Helmet
Both ordinances require a suitable helmet for guided groups in the restricted zone.
Fitness and health
The operator does not recommend the experience for people with heart or respiratory conditions, high blood pressure or pregnancy. Talk to a doctor if you are unsure.
Time of day
The cable car runs from 08:30 and the last descent leaves at 17:15. Plan your return around that, and see the cable car page.
Short walks without a guide
If the summit zone is not for you.
The Silvestri craters are two old side craters at 1,986 m and 1,886 m close to the Rifugio Sapienza car park. An entry of €5 is offered, daily from 08:30 to 17:00, for a loop along the lower crater rim that takes about 30 minutes. Hiking boots and a windbreaker are recommended. Drones, bicycles and vehicles are not allowed.
Choose this walk for a first look at the volcanic landscape, or as a backup when the summit zone is closed. The Silvestri craters page has the details. To base yourself near the mountain, see where to stay. Most visitors reach the south side from Catania or Taormina. If you also plan a volcano hike on the islands, there is a separate guide to hiking Stromboli.
Mount Etna hike: frequently asked questions
Do I need a guide to climb Mount Etna?
In the restricted summit zone, when the alert phase is ATTENZIONE, yes. Nicolosi and Belpasso both require an authorised guide. Outside the zone you can walk without one. Rules change with the phase, so ask your operator.
Up to which height can I go?
There is no single figure. Access follows a zone and an alert phase, and tour operators work to the limit in force on the day. Treat any height in a tour title as an aim.
How big are guided groups?
In the restricted zone of Nicolosi and Belpasso the limit is 10 guests per guide, with 15 minutes between groups and 300 guests a day.
How close can I get to active lava?
Belpasso's ordinance of 10 August 2026 sets at least 50 m from active lava edges and fronts. Guides decide the actual distance on the day.
Is hiking on Etna safe right now?
The INGV report of 13 October 2026 described variable degassing and low seismicity, but warned that danger can rise without notice. Check the activity page and the current ordinance before you go.