12 Mountain and Summit Hikes in Italy to Build a Trip Around

1.Mount Etna: Summit Guided Hiking Tour up to 3,400 m

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 4,792 reviews · 5 - 6 hours · from $65Our pick

Choose a guided Etna hike to 3,000 or 3,400 meters. You’ll ride the cable car, cross lava flows and volcanic sand, and learn about eruptions from guides such as Eduardo or Giuseppe. The summit route adds a 4x4 ride and tougher hiking. Pickup from Catania is available.

“The driver, Peppe and our tourguide was very informative and helpful, we learned a lot about Etna. It was totally worth it, it was our greatest experience in Sicily.”

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2.Mount Etna: Trek to 3000m with cable car and 4×4

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 3,823 reviews · 5 hours · from $65

Join Etna Guides at Rifugio Sapienza for a five-hour trip to 3000 meters. Ride the cable car and 4x4, then hike across black volcanic sand to Barbagallo Crater, a 2002 lava vent, recent flows, and a lava channel. Guides including Antonio, Giuseppe, Michele, and Dario lead groups in English, French, and Italian. Expect thin air, cold wind, and three to four hours on foot.

“We might have grumbled about how long it took to get everyone ready before setting out, but the wait was most definitely worth it! Antonio spoke excellent English and was a brilliant guide, full of knowledge - if only we could remember half of what he told us. Trekking on Etna will remain a highlight of our time in Sicily, an incredible experience and highly recommended.”

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3.Mount Etna: Summit Crater Trek with Cable Car

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,875 reviews · 5 hours · from $77

Ride the cable car and 4x4 toward 2,850 meters, then hike with a small group of up to eight toward Etna’s summit craters. Guides such as Simone, Marco, Giuseppe, and Basilio explain the volcano as you walk. Expect loose volcanic sand, cold wind, changing routes, and a possible summit closure if weather or volcanic activity makes the upper slopes unsafe.

“The tour was very nice, our guide, Raffaelo, was a very pleasant and passionate volcano admirer. He took care of the whole group and checked on everyone repeatedly to ensure that no one is falling behind. He even carried an older lady downhill where it was too complicated for her to walk further! This said, please pay attention that the speed you'll be walking with is a speed of the slowest in the group, so enjoy the more relaxing walk:)”

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4.Catania: Mount Etna Trekking Tour Beyond the Tourist Trails

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,596 reviews · 7 hours · from $81

Spend seven hours exploring Mount Etna from Catania with guides such as Antonio and Renato. Walk from the Silvestri Craters toward Valle del Bove, inspect lava flows, enter a lava cave when conditions allow, and slide down volcanic sand. Transport, trekking gear, warm layers, and small-group guidance are included.

“I recently joined the 'Mount Etna Trekking Tour Beyond the Tourist Trails' and it was hands down the highlight of my trip to Catania. Our guide, Antonio, was absolutely incredible. He didn't just lead the way; he shared deep insights into the history, geology, and culture of the region, making the landscape come alive. What impressed me most was how attentive Antonio was to everyone in the group. He made sure we were all comfortable and safe throughout the trek, adjusting the pace whenever needed. If you want to escape the crowds and truly understand the soul of Etna, I highly recommend this tour. Thank you, Antonio, for such a…”

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5.Mount Etna: Guided Trek 3,000 Meters to the Summit

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,407 reviews · from $113

Meet your English or Italian-speaking guide at La Terrazza Dell’Etna for a six-hour trek up Mount Etna. You’ll ride the cable car, hike across ash and old lava flows to about 3,000 meters, and visit the still-fuming 2001 Crater. Guides such as Luca, Marco, and Manuel are praised for their pacing and clear volcanic explanations.

“Awesome Trip. Thank you for climbing up to 3000m. Awesome view and experience.”

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6.Catania: Mount Etna Adventurous Hiking Tour with Equipment

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 784 reviews · 7 hours · from $88

Leave Catania with guides such as Alessandro, Alessio, Julian, or Ernesto for a real Etna hike, not a short walk near the cable car. You climb from about 1,970 to 2,400 metres, visit the Barbagallo Crater, enter Grotta Pitagora, and descend through loose volcanic sand. Shoes, poles, helmets, jackets, transfers, and insurance are included.

“We had an amazing day with our guide. He was very informative and fun, never a boring moment during the hike. He really has the right equipment and all the Decathlon in his truck, he was able to give us shoes even in the size of 36.😂 It is a tiring hike and the volcanic rock is really slippery, so be prepared for a “hike-in-sand” feeling, but he adjusts the tour to each and every group, so it will be suitable for your needs. Also, keep in mind, you’ll get VERY dirty. Absolutely recommend it, much more fun than just choosing the ski-lift!”

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7.From Catania: trek on Mount Etna, Lava Cave & tasting Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 563 reviews · 7 hours · from $68

Travel from Catania to Mount Etna in a group of up to eight, walk around inactive craters with a multilingual guide, enter Grotta Lunga with a helmet and lamp, then taste Etna honey, olive oil, wine and other local products in Ragalna. Optional cable-car and jeep transport costs extra.

“Very good and funny tour guide, thank you Caramelo!😊”

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8.From Taormina: Half-Day Mount Etna Morning Trek

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 504 reviews · 6.5 hours · from $106

Travel from Taormina to 2,000 meters on Mount Etna with a trained guide such as Tony, Roberto, Ricardo, or Ugo. Walk around extinct craters, enter a lava cave, borrow boots and poles, then finish with lunch, Etna wine, and almond wine at a local winery.

“Our guide Ricardo was just perfect. His knowledge about mount Etna is incredible. He was very kind, explained us everything in details and made our day unforgettable!”

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9.Mount Etna Adventurous Hiking Tour with Equipment

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 439 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $90

You’ll hike Mount Etna’s Valle del Bove with guides such as Ernesto, Alessandro, Giuliano, and Alessio, reaching volcanic terrain beyond the usual vehicle routes. Expect about six and a half hours, a small group of up to 16, steep and sandy sections, strong wind, and supplied boots, poles, helmets, and windbreakers.

“Mt Etna is a must see/do. I thoroughly enjoyed this tour. Our guide was knowledgeable, friendly, and was very safety conscious. I liked this tour (vs the other options) as it allowed us to really experience this active volcano as we hiked up to nearly 2600KM. I highly recommend.”

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10.Mount Etna: Summit Trekking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 347 reviews · 4.5 hours · from $65

Ride a 4x4 from Piano Provenzana to 2,900 meters, then hike across lava fields toward Etna’s summit craters at about 3,340 meters. Guides such as Luca, Marco, Arturo, and Paolo explain the volcano, adjust the pace, and lend boots and jackets. Expect cold, wind, loose rock, sulfur gas, and route changes when conditions demand them.

“Taking a guided tour up to the summit of mount Etna is highly recommended. Incredible view at the crater, very informative guide who adjusts the route and the pace to the needs of the group and the conditions which made us feel safe and well guided. Take high socks and a handkerchief. If your shoes or jacket are not suitable you can borrow them.”

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11.Catania: Mount Etna Sunset Trekking with Wine Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 140 reviews · 6 hours · from $81Top rated

Join a small group of up to eight for a six-hour Mount Etna outing from Catania. Guides such as Renato and Antonio lead easy walks across old lava flows, the Silvestri Craters, and a lava tunnel, with a sunset glass of Etna wine and local snacks at Piano Vetore.

“What I liked the most was the guide. He was fantastic and the wine a close second.”

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12.Lake Como: Easy Mountain Trek with Funicular & Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 24 reviews · from $203

Meet your English or Italian-speaking guide at Como’s funicular station for a six-hour outing above Lake Como. Ride to Brunate, walk forest paths and old Roman trails through Blevio and Monte Piatto, see Pietra Pendula and Massi Avelli, eat lunch in a traditional baita, then descend to Torno and return by boat. Mikael and Fiamo have led especially well-regarded departures.

“Great adventure. Amazing views. A guide who talks about the area with passion. You could also eat a good traditional meal during the trip. An attraction worth recommending”

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