Sartorius Mountains in the Mount Etna Massif

fr

A gentle wander north of Etna (a few kilometres at low altitude), offering a glimpse of the terrain and its vegetation. The eruption that created the seven Sartorius crates dates back to the late nineteenth century, nature has partially returned to this area.

Technical sheet

n°139138
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.72 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: No
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 72 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 131 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,742 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,668 m
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Photos

Birch

Description of the walk

Start at the Rifugio Citell car park (S) at an altitude of 1750 m.

Head north on the slightly downhill road for 1.5 km to reach the beginning of Sentier Natura (sign at an altitude of 1667 m).

Shortly after the start of the trail, take the left branch that will take us back to the right branch. After the volcanic mounds visible on the right, after about 20 minutes of walking, arrive at an old barn.

(1) Then turn right (north-east). Then fork right (south-east) to pass over a lava flow.

(2) Continue south-east and climb over one rise. Head back down towards the road.

Explore the summits of Sartorius mountains in passing: they are positioned a bit like a buttonhole.

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 1,740 m
  2. 1 : km 2.59 - alt. 1,721 m - Bergerie
  3. 2 : km 3.11 - alt. 1,688 m - Lava flow
  4. E : km 3.72 - alt. 1,672 m

Practical information

No drinking water refill point.

The Citelli refuge at the end of the road (1.5 km). Another CAI refuge exists, not far from the fold and then continuing the path branching off to the south but it is currently closed (it would, I think, require a key picked up in the Linguaglossa section for access).

Shoes with good soles to cross the lava flow.

One can of course take more than one and a half hours looking around, climbing the different small summits to enjoy the views of the craters and a wider panorama.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 9 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
rebertc
rebertc

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

we made a detour to a refuge.
Very busy towards the end.

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FAMROUS
FAMROUS

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very good directions to the car park and the start of the route. The visit to Mount Sartorius and the surrounding area is magnificent.
There were a few groups with guides, but not many people.
The only difficulty was that we couldn't find the path past the old sheepfold. We had to cut across it to get back to Mont Sartorius.

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mdblache
mdblache

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

This tour gave us the opportunity to hike a different route from many of the groups we've accompanied, while still enjoying the magnificent views of the craters.
We recommend it, as it is very easy.
Many thanks to the author.

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bougeard72
bougeard72

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 23, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

very nice little walk, very simple with a beautiful view, especially in the sunshine
magnificent birch trees in autumn colours
you'll need good shoes as the lava makes the ground a little slippery in places
much more interesting than the cable car ascent
welcome with meal possible at the refuge, very nice and not expensive

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edeliah
edeliah

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of walk : May 19, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : N/A
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful, easy route. The birch forest is magnificent.
Don't forget to bring something to wear, as it can get very cold with the wind on the crater ridges, even in May...

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benmarie
benmarie

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 14, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : N/A
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

An excellent route for exploring the northern side of Etna.
It's a magnificent site and not very popular (at least not in April).
We did this walk with 3 children aged 9, 7 and 3, the youngest in a baby carrier because the slopes are very steep.
So thank you for this route, we're delighted with it!

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skyppyy38360
skyppyy38360

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 13, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A superb walk despite the rain and clouds that masked the landscape in the morning. Then, as is always the case in Sicily, the wind opened up the sky for a unique spectacle.
We didn't quite follow the route as we turned off to the east to get a close-up view of the chaotic flows, frozen for eternity, before returning to the craters as described.
The trees, unique in their shape and white colour against the black ground, set off the landscape magnificently.
A few paths diverge and disrupt reading and guidance, but the area is small enough that you don't get lost.
The refuge chalet above was closed, so we took refuge around a fire and a good cup of coffee in the refuge below, which I recommend, the welcome is charming (as it is everywhere else in Sicily).
Don't forget warm clothes in May, it was 8°C up there.
Thanks to visorandonneur for describing this hike.

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di.snouk
di.snouk

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 20, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very nice, easy walk, with fabulous views of Etna and the sea. And I was pleased to do part of it in the shade of the forest, even in October.

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clocloriri
clocloriri

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 15, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Many thanks for this beautiful hike, easy to find with GPS coordinates.
What's more, it was magnificent

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