The Great Crater of Vulcano

de fr

A beautiful walk in the Aeolian archipelago, north of Sicily. You climb up to the smoking crater of Vulcano and, at the top, enjoy an exceptional view of Vulcano, Lipari and the entire archipelago.

May 2024. According to two hikers, the crater is once again accessible at specific times (see photo). Thank you for this information and for the photo.

Details

n°628665
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.52 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 266 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 266 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 270 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4 m
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

Information panel
View to the north from the crater
The crater of Vulcano
Vulcano in May

Description of the walk

Departure from the port of Vulcano Ponente.

(S/E) Leave the port by taking the small road that heads west, in the centre of the port. Immediately turn left (south-west): you are now on the road that leads to Vulcano Piano and the south of the island.

(1) After about 800 m, leave the small tarmac road and take the path on the left that leads to the volcano (sign informing you of the dangers of sulphur fumaroles). Very quickly, you will come to a wider track, which you take to the left. With a few hairpin bends, the track leads you unambiguously to a wide plateau.

(2) From this plateau, take a path that climbs steeply to the left (east). It will lead you to the edge of the crater, not far from the fumaroles.
Walking around the crater is now prohibited.

(3) Return via the same route to the port (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 4 m - Port of Vulcano Ponente
  2. 1 : km 0.83 - alt. 31 m - Start of the footpath
  3. 2 : km 2.14 - alt. 253 m - Wide plateau
  4. 3 : km 2.26 - alt. 270 m - Edge of the Vulcano crater
  5. S/E : km 4.52 - alt. 4 m - Port of Vulcano Ponente

Notes

The hike starts at the port of Vulcano (Porto Di Levante), the southernmost island of the Aeolian archipelago, north of Sicily.

The island can be reached from the port of Milazzo in Sicily, among other places.

The route takes you to the edge of the crater and back along the same path.

The moderate difficulty rating is due to the fairly steep slope and the ambient heat. Otherwise, there are no other difficulties.

Worth a visit

The large crater of the Vulcano volcano and its fumaroles (high in sulphur).

The Aeolian Islands.

The mud baths of Vulcano.

The black sand beach of Porto Di Ponente.

You will find numerous guesthouses, restaurants, walking stick and walking shoe hire... All at higher prices than elsewhere.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 11 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Espedaillac
Espedaillac
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This hike is best done in the morning – due to organisational constraints, a 3pm start is not ideal, even though the hike is short and easy for experienced hikers. The difficulty lies in the heat (not that of the volcano). There is a short slippery section before reaching the crater. Please follow the information provided on the ground and stay well hydrated.

Machine-translated

Charly38112
Charly38112

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

No one before 10 a.m., great!
Afterwards, it was packed despite the lights that prohibit access after 10:30 a.m.!

Machine-translated

PATRICK LORRE
PATRICK LORRE

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very nice hike. Beware of the heat

Machine-translated

Yannick_Josset
Yannick_Josset

Thank you for clarifying that.
Happy walking!

Machine-translated

PhilippeMoulling
PhilippeMoulling

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I confirm that in May 2024, the crater is still accessible via a marked path (it is forbidden to leave the path or descend into the crater)
and: There are set times for the ascent:
6.30am-10.30am and 4pm-7.30pm between 1 April and 20 October each year
7:30 a.m. to 7:20 p.m. during other periods
It is forbidden to walk around the entire crater; only half of it may be accessed (the right-hand side; the left-hand side, where the fumaroles are located, is off-limits)

Machine-translated

Yannick_Josset
Yannick_Josset

Thanks to Taz7 for this information and for the photo.
Happy walking.
Yannick Josset

Machine-translated

Taz7
Taz7

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The crater is once again accessible via a marked path (it is forbidden to leave the path or descend into the crater).
There are set times for climbing:
6.30am-10.30am and 4pm-7.30pm between 1 April and 20 October each year
7:30 a.m. to 7:20 p.m. during other periods
This reopening has been in place since 23 April 2023.

Machine-translated

giroddo@orange.fr
giroddo@orange.fr

Good evening, there is no information about the hike on Vulcano. That's a shame because it's a splendid hike.
Have a good evening
Dom

Machine-translated

Clement79
Clement79

Hello,

Do you know if it is possible to do this hike again, please?

Machine-translated

yannfred
yannfred

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2022
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : Not used / Not applicable
Very busy route : No

Access has been prohibited since 2020, and this hike is no longer accessible.

Machine-translated

drsvt
drsvt

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 07, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful hike when the weather is fine. Unfortunately, we did it in almost continuous rain. This made it slippery on one section before reaching the crater.

Machine-translated

CT1920
CT1920

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 21, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Magnificent landscapes throughout the climb, which is not particularly difficult; more challenging passage through the fumaroles at the summit.

Machine-translated

skyppyy38360
skyppyy38360

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 01, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

An easy hike that we did twice, as we were stuck on the island due to the lack of boat service and strong winds. The view from the summit was incredible, so we continued on to the highest peak of the volcano, opposite the suggested arrival point, passing through the west, as the fumaroles were to the east that day.
However, in strong winds, it is impossible to stay on the crater rim, so be careful.

The description may seem brief, but it is sufficient and accurate.
This hike is highly recommended.
Thanks to the author

Machine-translated

giroddo@orange.fr
giroddo@orange.fr

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 01, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good


Beautiful walks accessible to everyone.
Magnificent views of the small port of Vulcano and the surrounding islands.
We were lucky to have very mild weather (23°C) and, considering the season, an acceptable number of tourists.
Thanks to the author.

Machine-translated

giroddo@orange.fr
giroddo@orange.fr

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 01, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good


Beautiful walks accessible to everyone.
Magnificent views of the small port of Vulcano and the surrounding islands.
We were lucky to have very mild weather (23°C) and, considering the season, an acceptable number of tourists.
Thanks to the author.

Machine-translated

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.