Trekking and yoga on Etna

A day dedicated to wellbeing, you will take part in a Yoga trekking on Etna. You will start the experience at Belpasso (Catania), putting into practice the Pranayama techniques, exercises which will help you learn how to manage your breathing.

After about half an hour you will then start the trail to 1,250 metres to admire the silhouette of Mount Concilio cloaked by a mixed wood. Continuing in the direction of Mount Grosso you will encounter a huge black lava flow which cuts through the track itself. This old lava flow is from the 2001 eruption which stopped only 3 km short of the town of Nicolosi. As well as this, you will see the much older lava flows from the 1892 eruption, which marked the emergence of the 'bottoniera' system of craters of the Silvestri Mountains by Rifugio Sapienza. Beyond this you start to see a spectacular panoramic view which includes the ancient craters surrounded by vegetation and the Ionian, Catanese and Syracuse coastlines. Once within the crater of Mount Grosso you can still enjoy the shade thanks to a dense mixed woodland. Coming out of the crater and skirting its edge, slowly climbing, you will reach the lava fields of the eruption of 1886. From here you can see well the summit of the volcano and a stunning landscape characterised by old and more recent lava flows and vegetation. You will see that the eruption of 1886 left a series of 'hornitos' along the old fracture line, which was open at the time of the eruption. One of the most incredible moments is the climb up the most northern hornito which lies under the gigantic Mount Gemmellaro, from which you can see the ancient fracture line as well as a landscape which includes the Erei Mountains. The walk continues up to the top of Mount Gemmellaro, with a view that is nothing less than breathtaking.

At the end of the tour you will stop at a little refuge at the bottom of Mount Omonimo, where you will have the chance to practise some Hatha yoga, a practise of controlling your body and mind, promoting strength, physical elasticity and stages of deep relaxation and concentration.

Length of walk: 4 km (one way).
Walking time: 2 hours 30 mins.
Altitude of departure / arrival: 1250 m. / 1500 m.
Departure point: Belpasso (Catania).