During our trip to Sicily, among a surprising variety of landscapes we could not overlook a destination that hikers cannot miss: Etna.
There are many proposed itineraries suitable for all types of walkers to discover an almost enchanted ecosystem that changes with the altitude and the activity of the volcano.
There are really different paths planned to discover and admire from up close historical and recent lava cones and flows, volcanic caves and eruptive systems. We chose the itinerary for Schiena dell’Asino to admire the picturesque Valle del Bove, one of the most beautiful places in the large park and which develops on the eastern side of Etna.
The Schiena dell’Asino path is suitable for everyone: 5 km with a difference in height of 200 meters that can be easily covered in about 3 hours of walking, it is suitable for those who are not too trained and for families with children … We had chosen it ourselves because we knew we had to carry Noah’s 13 kg for most of the way!
No special equipment is required to walk the Schiena dell’asino path, but it is good to do it with the help of a guide, we have chosen GetYourGuide.
I suggest wearing high trekking shoes to walk more easily on the volcanic sand, shorts, t-shirt and a sweatshirt in case you organize the excursion in the late afternoon (on the other hand, sunscreen and hat during the hottest hours).
Having said the basic indications, let’s go back to the actual path and how to deal with it. The path we have chosen will take us quite easily to admire the Valle del Bove. It winds on the eastern side of Etna and begins near Sapienza Refuge..
Along the SP92 towards Zafferana we find the entrance to the track and we enter a pine forest with a stony-bottomed path. Facing this first section you will think that the itinerary will be heavy and not for everyone, but do not worry because it is not so: only this initial part requires a little physical effort having a slope that exceeds 10% in some sections, but it is a very small part of the entire path, the rest of the path is very easy with a dirt track and without high slopes.
Along the path we will be guided by endemic vegetation and exceptional views until we reach a plateau right on the edge of the Valle del Bove. From here for fans of the volcanic eruptions of Etna it will be a real spectacle: an exceptional view from above on the most impressive lava flows of recent years that flow into the valley. On the horizon we were lucky enough to see Taormina and the profile of Calabria.