Aeolian islands Tour: a volcanic adventure
These islands known and appreciated for the beauty of their sea, actually offer much more...
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, these seven sisters of volcanic origin are in fact the ideal place for those who love to walk and find themselves immersed in nature.
Start: Catania
End: Catania
Route: Paths
Lenght: 10/15 km average per day
Elevation gain: +/-600m average per day
Difficulty: EE (for Expert Hikers)
Time: 4/5h average per day
Guided tour by licensed Hiking Environmental Guide since 2012
Overview of the tour
The Aeolian Islands are composed of seven islands, the most famous of which are Vulcano and Stromboli. Consisting of a surprising mix of sweetness, ancient beauty, and wild strength, each island is a volcanic rock that man has not always managed to tame. Further on, Mount Etna, the highest volcano in Europe and one of the most active in the world, rises into the sky... Few regions can offer such a spectacle: an unmissable journey in Italy!
Sample Itinerary:
1. CATANIA - MILAZZO
Arrival in Catania. Transfer to Milazzo. Dinner and overnight stay in Milazzo.
2. STROMBOLI
Transfer by hydrofoil to the island of Stromboli. Overlooking Stromboli and visitors is "Iddu", which day and night makes its presence felt with rumblings and explosions. Excursion to an altitude of 350m, an observation point overlooking the Sciara del Fuoco. Dinner and overnight stay in Stromboli.
Note: Due to recent eruptions, the ascent to the summit is suspended.
3. PANAREA with excursion to Pizzo del Corso and Cala Junco
Tiny with a myriad of satellite islets that approach it. In the lush vegetation, the villas of VIPs dot its panoramas with white. An ancient path leads from the small village to the top of the island (Pizzo del Corvo 400m above sea level) with splendid views of the turbulent western coast. You walk among the low vegetation composed of cysts, small heather bushes, mastic trees, brooms, and other typical elements of the Mediterranean Maquis. After reaching the summit, the descent begins on the other side towards the ancient prehistoric village of Capo Milazzese and the suggestive bay of Calajunco. Dinner and overnight stay in Lipari.
4. LIPARI with excursion to Monte Rosa
Boarding for Lipari, the "capital" of the Aeolian Islands. With its ancient fortified city, it bears witness to the history of the islands and therefore of the Mediterranean, from prehistory to the Middle Ages. Start of the excursion to Monte Rosa from Marina Lunga, for a panoramic view of Vulcano and Sicily. Dinner and overnight stay in Lipari.
5. LIPARI with excursion to Monte Pelato
The last major eruption of Monte Pelato, which occurred 1400 years ago, scattered thick layers of pumice over much of the island, culminating in the formation of a rhyolitic lava flow of obsidians (the Red Rocks) that extends northeastward and ends on the sea at Punta Castagna. The path offers the excitement of being in front of a unique panorama, interrupted occasionally by vineyards and crops. We continue through the hilltop village of Lami and, along a stone path, descend to the beach of Canneto. Dinner and overnight stay in Lipari.
6. VULCANO
Transfer by hydrofoil to the island of Vulcano (about 10 minutes). The smell of sulfur anticipates the entrance to an almost Dantesque place, wild nature, water sources, and hot muds where volcanic fumaroles puff, the excursion ends at the Grand crater of the Fossa (391 m). The crater, one of the most monitored in the world, has been blocked since its last eruption in 1883. At the top: fumaroles, sulfur flowers, and a sublime panorama of Sicily, even Mount Etna on the clearest days! Tour of the crater and descent to the beach. Dinner and overnight stay in Lipari.
7. SALINA with excursion to Fossa delle Felci (highest peak of the Aeolian Islands)
On the coast are prickly pears, olive trees, and rows of vines. The slopes of Fossa delle Felci (962 meters above sea level) and Monte Rivi (854 meters above sea level) are the carpet for brooms and strawberry trees. From Valdichiesa, we reach the summit in a couple of hours. You admire the Aeolian panorama and then lower your gaze into the crater, covered by the scrub. Dinner and overnight stay in Lipari.
8. Alicudi and Filicudi
It is possible to make day trips to Alicudi and Filicudi, the less frequented, wild, and authentic islands of the archipelago.
9. Etna
It is possible to conclude the journey on the most active and highest volcano in Europe. Transfer from Milazzo to an altitude of 1,900 meters where you will sleep in a refuge the night before the ascent.
Optional: Etna summit from the south side.
For information and reservations: 3388184345 - info@greendonkeyhike.com
Overview of the tour
The Aeolian Islands are composed of seven islands, the most famous of which are Vulcano and Stromboli. Consisting of a surprising mix of sweetness, ancient beauty, and wild strength, each island is a volcanic rock that man has not always managed to tame. Further on, Mount Etna, the highest volcano in Europe and one of the most active in the world, rises into the sky... Few regions can offer such a spectacle: an unmissable journey in Italy!
Sample Itinerary:
1. CATANIA - MILAZZO
Arrival in Catania. Transfer to Milazzo. Dinner and overnight stay in Milazzo.
2. STROMBOLI
Transfer by hydrofoil to the island of Stromboli. Overlooking Stromboli and visitors is "Iddu", which day and night makes its presence felt with rumblings and explosions. Excursion to an altitude of 350m, an observation point overlooking the Sciara del Fuoco. Dinner and overnight stay in Stromboli.
Note: Due to recent eruptions, the ascent to the summit is suspended.
3. PANAREA with excursion to Pizzo del Corso and Cala Junco
Tiny with a myriad of satellite islets that approach it. In the lush vegetation, the villas of VIPs dot its panoramas with white. An ancient path leads from the small village to the top of the island (Pizzo del Corvo 400m above sea level) with splendid views of the turbulent western coast. You walk among the low vegetation composed of cysts, small heather bushes, mastic trees, brooms, and other typical elements of the Mediterranean Maquis. After reaching the summit, the descent begins on the other side towards the ancient prehistoric village of Capo Milazzese and the suggestive bay of Calajunco. Dinner and overnight stay in Lipari.
4. LIPARI with excursion to Monte Rosa
Boarding for Lipari, the "capital" of the Aeolian Islands. With its ancient fortified city, it bears witness to the history of the islands and therefore of the Mediterranean, from prehistory to the Middle Ages. Start of the excursion to Monte Rosa from Marina Lunga, for a panoramic view of Vulcano and Sicily. Dinner and overnight stay in Lipari.
5. LIPARI with excursion to Monte Pelato
The last major eruption of Monte Pelato, which occurred 1400 years ago, scattered thick layers of pumice over much of the island, culminating in the formation of a rhyolitic lava flow of obsidians (the Red Rocks) that extends northeastward and ends on the sea at Punta Castagna. The path offers the excitement of being in front of a unique panorama, interrupted occasionally by vineyards and crops. We continue through the hilltop village of Lami and, along a stone path, descend to the beach of Canneto. Dinner and overnight stay in Lipari.
6. VULCANO
Transfer by hydrofoil to the island of Vulcano (about 10 minutes). The smell of sulfur anticipates the entrance to an almost Dantesque place, wild nature, water sources, and hot muds where volcanic fumaroles puff, the excursion ends at the Grand crater of the Fossa (391 m). The crater, one of the most monitored in the world, has been blocked since its last eruption in 1883. At the top: fumaroles, sulfur flowers, and a sublime panorama of Sicily, even Mount Etna on the clearest days! Tour of the crater and descent to the beach. Dinner and overnight stay in Lipari.
7. SALINA with excursion to Fossa delle Felci (highest peak of the Aeolian Islands)
On the coast are prickly pears, olive trees, and rows of vines. The slopes of Fossa delle Felci (962 meters above sea level) and Monte Rivi (854 meters above sea level) are the carpet for brooms and strawberry trees. From Valdichiesa, we reach the summit in a couple of hours. You admire the Aeolian panorama and then lower your gaze into the crater, covered by the scrub. Dinner and overnight stay in Lipari.
8. Alicudi and Filicudi
It is possible to make day trips to Alicudi and Filicudi, the less frequented, wild, and authentic islands of the archipelago.
9. Etna
It is possible to conclude the journey on the most active and highest volcano in Europe. Transfer from Milazzo to an altitude of 1,900 meters where you will sleep in a refuge the night before the ascent.
Optional: Etna summit from the south side.
For information and reservations: 3388184345 - info@greendonkeyhike.com
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Aeolian islands Tour: a volcanic adventure
