We’ve driven past the volcano several times on our travels around Sicily, and each time we’ve seen smoke wafting from one of the vents. It’s a stratovolcano, essentially composed of many layers, and is considered one of the world’s most active volcanoes. Just a few days before our arrival, it was finishing a near month-long eruption, with the smoke and ash causing the island’s second-largest airport Catania to close. It’s quite incredible to think that about 25 percent of the Sicilian population lives at the foot of the mountain, which has a circumference of about 90 kilometers. But as we’ve learned from our visits to other volcanoes, the land surrounding them is incredibly fertile.
As we ascended the mountain, we noticed a change in temperature. It had become noticeably cooler, and the scent of blooming honeysuckle filled the air, providing a delightful sensory experience. What struck us both as harrowing and interesting were the many buildings that had been razed by the lava from past eruptions. When we arrived at the cable car base, it was bustling with activity. We purchased our return tickets and boarded what would probably go down as the most expensive cable car journey I’ve ever taken, but the alternative was a 4hr walk, which we didn’t fancy.
After a 10-minute ride, we stepped out into even cooler temperatures. Unfortunately, due to obvious safety reasons, we couldn’t get all the way to the action, so we decided to walk up as far as we could. Walking on small pyroclasts, which are essentially like walking across marbles, uphill was not easy. Adding to the challenge was a strong headwind. Needless to say, we didn’t get very far. However, we did manage to reach one of the craters, which was quite interesting to see. Despite the strong winds, it was fascinating to get a closer look at the latest vent hole blowing off steam, like a pressure cooker. However, due to the volcano’s ongoing activity, the surrounding landscape appeared colorless, with only a few dusty roads. Unfortunately, there was no visibility down the mountain or across Sicily either, which we had been hoping for. We were spoilt with stunning views and scenery at Teide and Telde in the Canary Islands. Nevertheless, we still appreciated the experience. After all, you can’t visit Sicily without seeing Mt Etna, can you?
Dream Chasers 