DAY 1
Transfer from Catania to Frutteto D’Efesto, localed at 1400 metres above sea level, a lovely little farm in the Etna Park territory.
DAY 2
Our ride starts in a sweetly smelling pine and beech wood as our horses enjoy walking over a soft carpet of pine needles. When we reach 1600 metres, popolars and pseudo-acacias grow, but quite soon the trees become sparse and suddenly the ride is out on the high mountain path with the summit area of the volcano dominating the view to the northeast. The ride goes through a lunar landscape made up of lava rocks.  Few miles further on, we leave the high mountain and have lunch at the Contrada Difesa (1000 metres). We continue on the western slopes of Mount Etna to the ancient

castle of Maniace, standing in the hollow of a vast mountain-surrounded plateau, covered with the immemorial lava of Etna, and watered by the Simeto river. We spend tonight in a charming hotel in the Maniace territory at the border between Etna and Nebrody Nature Parks.
DAY 3
We continue on until we stop for lunch at the Mount La Nave refuge. The trek continues along the high mountain nature path; the scenery changes as Mt. Etna dons different colored robes. Our horses hooves clip-clop away the miles, taking us to the beautiful beech woods at Mount Spagnolo. Near here is the Saletti mountain refuge where, after a wash and brush-up, we sit down to our pasta, local produce and barbecue dinner. Then off to bed in real mountain-style bags on camp beds (provided).

DAY 4
In the morning the group goes on horseback to visit the extinct craters formed during the eruption of 1980. We cross vast lava flows through which a nature path has been cut by the Forestry Corps. Along the way we pass the Palombe cave in a wooded area of pine larch in the territory of Castiglione di Sicilia, on the northern slopes of the volcano. This pleasant route crosses fragrant woodlands and gives spectacular views of the Alcantara valley. At lunchtime we arrive at the Pineta of Linguaglossa where a tasty hot lunch is ready for us. After a two-hour lunch break, we remount and ride through wooded areas towards the little mountain chalet hotel, Brunek (1400m.), which is well-equipped with modern comforts. We arrive at about six o’clock for dinner and for night.

DAY 5
After breakfast we ride along a forest path leading to Piano Pernicara In the Ragabo pinewoods of the Commune of Linguaglossa. Crossing the Chiovazzi area we reach Mount Crisino (1345m.) and then Mount Stornello (1150). The track crosses immense lava flows from 1865, 1928 and 1971.From there a mule track of great anthropological importance takes us through chestnut woods to the Magazzeni area near the village of St. Alfio. We reach the rural tourism hotel, "Cirasella", a few kilometres from the Chestnut tree of a Hundred Horses at about 13.30. Here we have a complete hot lunch, and after a brief siesta  we set out on our horses again to visit the pluri-millenary tree under whose breadth of foliage, as legend has it, one hundred horsemen took shelter from a storm. We get back to our cosy hotel about 18.00 for dinner and after which we can relax watching a folkloristic show and a good night’s sleep.

DAY 6
We ride across the Felcerossa ( red fern) area and go through the Nicolosi wood, along a nature path that takes us to Piano dell’Acqua at 717 metres from where we can gaze with awe on the impressive lava flow that threatened the village of Zafferana from 1991 to 1993. Here and there, trees, patches of greenery and small country houses and lava shelters , encircled by the flow , bear witness to the past. We now enter a larch wood in the Ilice area and skirt Mount Arcimis (1284m.). Here the scenery changes again totally and we ride across the lunar landscape of the 1634 lava flow to reach Mount Serra Pizzuta Galvarina (1704m.). Our group now leaves the forestry park behind and goes along the quiet provincial country road, and can admire lava flows and extinct craters on either side, especially the Silvestri craters (2000m.).

These craters mark the beginning of the small Etna South tourist area. This area was partly covered by recent lava flows: The cablecar taking visitors almost up to the summit has now re-opened and starts from here.  We stop here for lunch and can also buy souvenirs in the many little shops, admire the breathtaking view down to the Ionian Sea and the Plain of Catania.  With saddlebags full of souvenirs, we now start our downhill ride back to the Frutteto di Efesto for our last memorable night on Mount Etna.
DAY 7
In the morning after breakfast check out of the hotel and transfer to Catania Airport by minibus.

INFORMATION:
Group numbers: min 4, max 10.
Horseback trek: 5 days.
Length of trek: approx.135kms.
Difficulty level: medium difficult.

SERVICES OFFERED:
Horses with complete tack for the trek.
Overnight stops: 5 in agritourism and one in a Forestry Commission refuge, in sleeping bag; 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 6 dinners. Back-up jeep for luggage and supplies.

ESCORTS:
A technician in F.I.S.E. (Italian Federation of Equestrian Sports) country riding section and two grooms. Interpreter for English on request.

Cost: euro 1.050,00 tax included.

Cell. +39 329 9509849 (Nino Zuccarello).
Tel\Fax: +39 095 461882.
Cell. +39 329 9509850 (Concetta Di Prato).
Cell. +39 329 2258156 (Luca Zuccarello).

Reserve it now!

.