Mount Etna Ride in Sicily
- Sicily's greatest natural attraction is also its highest mountain -

To the ancient Greeks, Mount Etna was the realm of Vulcan, god of fire, and the home of the one-eyed monster known as the Cyclops. At approximately 10,050 ft it is Europe's highest active volcano. Etna offers breathtaking mountain trails during the summer. Over the course of the ride we will first travel along quiet country roads in the rolling open hills at the base of the mountain, then along higher nature trails and ancient, paved Roman paths until we reach the Luna-like landscape resulting from the vast lava flows of previous eruptions. Dinners are delicious meals prepared by our hosts in cozy inns.

IT-ITSIC01
Rates: Include accommodations in country inns and small hotels, all meals and rinks except in Taormina, 5 riding days    
8 days/7 nights $ 2,345    Single: +$375
Small group supplement (4 only)  $ 240 pp
-- based on € 1,650 / € 265 / 170

2008 Dates:
04/19-04/26    05/03-05/10    05/24-05/31 06/07-06/14    06/28-07/05    08/30-09/06 09/13-09/20    09/27-10/04    10/11-10/18
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Meeting:  Catania 
Airport:  Catania
Transfer:  Included
Tack: English trekking and some Western
Horses: Italian mix,
Pace : Moderate with trots and some canters. Some steep riding country.
Level: Strong Novice to Intermediate. Riders should be in good physical condition.
Min/Max Riders: 5-14
 

Itinerary 
DAY 1 SATURDAY: ARRIVAL
We meet you at Catania Airport and transfer to Frutteto D’Efesto, 1400 m. above sea level, a lovely little farm in the Etna Park territory, set amidst a wooded area, with magnificent views of the mountain that seems now within an arm's reach. Once settled, our hosts will present a dinner of delicious home-cooked food. Then we climb the wooden stairs to bed, from where we can stargaze through the skylight windows.
DAY 2 SUNDAY : EFESTO TO NELSON CASTLE:
Our ride starts in a sweetly smelling pine and beech wood and our horses enjoy walking over a soft carpet of pine needles. When we reach 1600 meters, poplars and pseudo-acacias grow, but quite soon the trees become sparse and suddenly the ride is out on the high mountain path, with the summit area of the volcano dominating the view to our north-east , while, looking down on our left we can see the small towns far away on the low slopes of the mountain, and further afield our gaze takes us to the rugged hills in central Sicily. The ride goes through a lunar landscape made up of lava rocks, upon which pines have grown and also typical pioneering rock-hugging plants of this high altitude (astragalus, rumex and soapwort).These intense blotches of bright color can be seen at high altitudes all around the volcano. The lunar landscape of lava rock soon becomes greener again. A few kilometers further on we leave the high mountain nature path and, sloping gently, we come to the Contrada Difesa (1000 m.); here we leave our horses and have a country-style hot lunch and a rest. In the early afternoon the trek continues along the nature path on the western slopes of Mount Etna, till at last, the ancient castle of Maniace, standing in the hollow of a vast mountain-surrounded plateau, covered with the immemorial lava of Etna, and watered by the Simeto river.
You enter in the Castello di Nelson through a massive stone portal. A large black Celtic cross on a large pedestal carries the inscription "Heroi Immortali Nili". The reason he became a Sicilian duke had nothing to do with victories on the Nile, at Trafalgar or anywhere else. It was a generous thank-you gift for his involvement in the brutal repression of a revolt against the Spanish Bourbon Kings who once ruled all of southern Italy. In 1799 it was this same green gold that provided a healthy pension of £3,000 a year for an unlikely beneficiary, the British admiral, Lord Nelson. Having rescued Ferdinand IV and his family from war-torn Naples, Nelson was rewarded by a grateful Bourbon king with the dukedom of Bronte – and most of the Simeto Valley which the town overlooks. Although the admiral never visited his estate, road signs around Bronte all point proudly in the direction of neighboring Maniace and Il Castello di Nelson. More fortified farmhouse than actual castle, it remained the family home for nearly two hundred years before the town council of Bronte bought it back again from Nelson's descendants. After a short visit of the castle, we give shelter to our horses inside the castle walls and then, we drive ten minutes, by private car, to a charming hotel in the Maniace territory situated at the border between Etna and Nebrodi Nature Parks. Once settled we gather for a pleasant dinner before retiring for the night.
DAY 3 MONDAY: NELSON CASTLE TO SALETTI MOUNTAIN REFUGE
The ride today  begins, just for a short stretch of road, following the previous evening path and continues as far as the Mount La Nave refuge (1273 m.) - maintained, like all the refuges, by the Forestry Commission. Here we leave our horses in stalls and have a country-style hot lunch and a rest. In the early afternoon the trek continues along the high mountain nature path with the scenery changing as Mt. Etna dons different colored robes. Our horses hooves clip-clop away the kilometers taking us to the beautiful beech woods at Mount Spagnolo (1547m.). Near here is the Saletti mountain refuge where, after a wash and brush-up, we sit down to our pasta, local produce and barbecue dinner. Then off to bed in real mountain style in sleeping bags on camp beds (provided).
DAY 4 TUESDAY: SALETTI TO BRUNEK CHALET HOTEL
In the morning the group goes on horseback to visit the extinct craters formed during the eruption of 1980. We cross vast lava flows through which a nature path has been cut by the Forestry Corps. Along the way we pass the Lamponi (Raspberry) and the Palombe caves in a wooded area of pine and larch in the territory of Castiglione di Sicilia, on the northern slopes of the volcano. This pleasant route crosses fragrant woodlands and gives spectacular views of the Alcantara valley. At lunchtime we arrive at the Pirao refuge where a tasty hot lunch is ready for us. After a two-hour lunch break, we remount and ride through wooded areas towards the little mountain chalet hotel, Brunek (1370m.), which is well-equipped with modern comforts. Dinner is in its restaurant and a good night’s sleep.
DAY 5 WEDNESDAY: BRUNEK TO ST. ALFIO
After breakfast we ride along a forest path leading to Piano Pernicara Inthe Ragabo pinewoods of the Commune of Linguaglossa. Crossing the Chiovazzi area we reach Mount Crisino (1345m.) and then Mount Stornello (1150). The track crosses immense lava flows from 1865, 1928 and 1971.From there a mule track of great anthropological importance takes us through chestnut woods to the Magazzeni area near the village of St. Alfio. By about 1:30 we reach the Cirasella farm a few kilometres from the Chestnut tree of a Hundred Horses. Here we have a complete hot lunch, and after a brief siesta we set out on our horses again to visit the pluri-millenary tree under whose breadth of foliage, as legend has it, one hundred horsemen took shelter from a storm. We get back to our cosy farm about 18.00 for dinner.
DAY 6 – THURSDAY: ST. ALFIO TO FRUTTETO DI EFESTO FARM
We ride across the Felcerossa ( red fern) area and go through the Nicolosi wood, along a nature path that takes us to Piano dell?Acqua at 717 meters from where we can gaze with awe on the impressive lava flow that threatened the village of Zafferana from 1991 to 1993. Here and there, trees, patches of greenery and small country houses and lava shelters , encircled by the flow , bear witness to the past. We now enter a larch wood in the Ilice area and skirt Mount Arcimis (1284m.). Here the scenery changes again totally and we ride across the lunar landscape of the 1634 lava flow to reach Mount Serra Pizzuta Galvarina (1704m.). Our group now leaves the forestry park behind and goes along the quiet provincial country road, and can admire lava flows and extinct craters on either side, especially the Silvestri craters (2000m.). These craters mark the beginning of the small Etna South tourist area. This area was partly covered by recent lava flows: The cablecar taking visitors almost up to the summit has now re-opened and starts from here. We stop here for lunch and can also buy souvenirs in the many little shops, admire the breathtaking view down to the Ionian Sea and the Plain of Catania. With saddlebags full of souvenirs, we now start our downhill ride back to the Frutteto di Efesto for our last memorable night on Mount Etna.
DAY 7 - FRIDAY: FULL DAY TOUR
After a relaxing breakfast at Efesto farm, at about 10 am, we are driven by private minibus to Catania., about 30 minutes’ drive. We go for a short walk along the streets of the historic center and visit the colored local open fish market. For lunch we dine on locally caught fish at a nearby trattoria. After lunch we leave to Taormina Sea where, by private boat, we sail around the Isola Bella, the Blue Cave and the wonderful creek of Mazzarò. Of course you will have the opportunity for a swim in the crystal blue waters. At mid-afternoon we come up to to the small mountain town of Taormina, famous for its monuments and Greek Theatre. As soon as you arrive in Taormina, you will feel the magical, mythical atmosphere spread all around which has enchanted visitors from all over the world for years and years. Settled on a hill of the Monte Tauro, Taormina dominates two grand, sweeping bays below and on the southern side, the top of Mount Etna, offering a breathtaking, dramatic and memorable view over almost one hundred miles of Mediterranean sea. Take time to walk and shop along the quaint streets of this historic center. Dinner (á la carte - not included) and overnight in this beautiful romantic village with is small streets (no cars) and its many boutiques and restaurants
Day 8 – SATURDAY: Departure
In the morning after breakfast check out of the hotel and transfer to Catania Airport by minibus.

Route on Horseback
- click on map to enlarge

Isola Bella

Taormina

Taormina-Greek Theater