Alto Montana Etna

Yesterday I positioned myself below Mt Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe at 3300m. Today I rode my bike up with very tired legs to the base station at Sapienza. Fab lunch in the warm sun on a touristy terrace. A bit late but then I set off to the Alto Montana trail. On the way I was looking for refugios to stay at tonight. Santa Barbara was closed, but at Carpinteria the side shed was open, I swept up, left my reduced gear and left for the trail that runs though the lava flows. This volcano is so active, that on maps you will see flows dating to 2016, 2015, 2003, 2002 the 90s and many prior.

It is closely monitored by volcanologists but it would always be possible that the thing could just go at any moment.

The view over the Sicilian hills and back country below from 2000 m up is amazing through the haze, when you have just been listening to the history of the last few millennia.Read more