MTB – Pista Altomontana of Etna

Tour of the Etna Altomontana track by mountain bike in Sicily, also available by e-bike.
Discover the highest active volcano in Europe!

Pista Altomontana

Our tour on the Pista Altomontana is a mountain bike excursion on Mt. Etna combines a fun sport with the thrill of traveling unique itineraries.

With its 3300 meters Mt. Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe. The territory was declared a regional natural park in 1981, and a World Heritage Site in 2015. Mt Etna has different slopes of varying difficulties, a volcanic landscape, all overlooking the sea. A duotone of black and blue of indescribable beauty.

With Exclusive Sicily, at each ride we will be giving you practical information to combine sporting activity with scientific knowledge of the places.

Specifically, the so-called Pista Altomontana, accessible from the southern side of the volcano. An off road that winds between geology and competition.

ITINERARY

Etna – CAI signs

We will cover a distance of 31.42 km, with an average slope of 0.9%, facing an uphill gradient of 506 m, characterized by passages to medium difficulty due to the presence of volcanic ashes and rocks that require a more technical approach.

The mountain bike or E-bike tour will start from our bike point in Giardini Naxos, where we will take care of setting the best bikes according to your measurements and your needs.

After the initial briefing we will leave with one of our equipped minivans to reach the starting point on the south side.

Let’s discover the southern side of Etna

Enrico at Galvarina Refuge

The southern side of Mt. Etna is renowned for the presence of the Sapienza Refuge, at an altitude of 2000 meters: from here we will enter the dirt track for the start of our tour.

The first part is on a very light off-road path, with a lava stone bottom and a slight slope downhill, on an ancient road that has been closed for some time due to recent lava flows.

A wonderful view of the volcano on the south-east crater and of the so-called Bocca Nuova will immediately grace our eyes.

The rides are smooth, the landscape allows us to get in tune with the fire giant, (Mt. Etna) which, with its incredible power has shaped, over thousands of years, the natural scenery we are crossing.

Proceeding on we will visit some of the refuges of the Forestry State, such as the one – clear in its simplicity, but equally panoramic – of the Galvarina where we will stop for a break and some photos.

Lava flow of 1981

Lava flow of 1981

We will resume pedaling towards the cave of Monte Nunziata, until we cross the spectacular flow that threatened Randazzo and interrupted the path of the Altomontana track in 1981.

The eruption lasted less than a week, but destroyed many hectares of land and threatened the destruction of the town below.

Another stop will be the one at the Casermetta di Monte Spagnolo refuge, at 1440 meters above sea level, which has just been renovated and made accessible to visitors.

Leaving behind this wonderful place surrounded by the green pines of Mt. Etna and having crossed the various refuges, such as the Santa Maria and “U casottu” – in dialect, the “small cottage” – we will arrive at the Dammusi Pass.

Passo dei Dammusi and the Grotta dei Lamponi

Monte Spagnolo Refuge

We will be at 1760 meters above sea level. Here took place the longest lava flow ever recorded on Etna, which lasted ten years, from 1614 to 1624, along which we could admire the famous “corded lavas” and one of the most beautiful caves of Mt. Etna landscape, the Grotta dei Lamponi.

After this short stop we will resume our mountain bike tour in the direction of the Brunek Refuge, inside the Ragabo pine forest.

The oldest secular pine on Etna

Once on the Mareneve road, at about 1420 meters above sea level, we will be able to stop at a typical restaurant for a light lunch.

Finally, but no less impressive, will be a visit to the “Zappinazzu“, the oldest secular pine on Etna.
Just enough time for a few photos and then we will start our downhill trip back, downhill for about 12 kilometers on an asphalted road that will take us back to the town of Linguaglossa where we will find our minivan for a comfortable return to the base.

This excursion does not include the pick up and drop at your place, but if necessary you can request it at booking stage.

Do not hesitate to contact us for any information. We answer the phone from 8-13 and from 15-20 or write to info@etnaexclusive.com (answer within 12/24 hours) or whatsapp at the following number: (+39) 333 6815630

For the type of effort that must be faced we must always consider the physical conditions of all participants.
We understand that based on interpretation and intensity, this excursion can be a complete workout with a considerable exercise load.

It is recommended
Technical / sports clothing suitable for sport pedaling on mountain bikes, trekking / tennis shoes (we also have the possibility to mount SPD pedals to give you the opportunity to use your technical bike shoes, but the request must be made at the time of booking), gloves, sunglasses or cycling glasses, sunscreen (summer period).

This excursion does not include the pick up and drop at your place, but if necessary you can request it at booking stage.