volcano dominates the view to the north-west, while, looking down on the left, the small towns far away on the low slopes of the mountain can be seen, and still further away, the rugged hills of central Sicily. The ride goes through a lunar landscape of lava rock to which high- altitude  plants  cling. Without warning the landscape becomes green, and in the middle of  a grassy clearing stands the Galvarina mountain refuge hut (1800m.), a characteristic building in lava stone equipped to cater for transiting mountain lovers’ overnight stops. Here the horses are watered and the riders get off to stretch their legs. The ride then goes on to Monte La Neve mountain refuge hut , equipped by the Forestry Commission to provide overnight accommodation for horses and riders.

1.30 p.m. - Country-style barbecue lunch
3.30 p.m. - The ride resumes along the high mountain track with the scenery changing as Mt. Etna dons different coloured robes as the horses clip-clop away the kilometres towards the beautiful beech woods at Mount Spagnolo (1547 m.). Just a little further on – arrival about 6 p.m. - is the Salette mountain refuge . After settling down the horses for the night the riders have a hot dinner, then they too go off to sleep in real mountain style in sleeping bags on camp beds, warmed by the glow of the open fire in the hearth.
SATURDAY
7.00 a.m. - Grooming of horses.
7.30 a.m. - Breakfast
8.00a.m. - The ride sets off to visit the Palombe cave located in larch pine and holm oak woods in the territory of Castiglione di

Sicilia, on the northern slopes of the volcano. This pleasant route crosses fragrant woodlands and offers spectacular views of the Alcantara valley.
1.30 p.m. - Hot lunch at the Pineta of Linguaglossa (1400 mt.).
3.30 p.m. - The ride starts out again, along forest paths leading to Piano Pernicana in the commune of Linguaglossa. Crossing the Chiovazzi area, Mount Crisimo (1345m) and Mount Stornello (1150m) are reached. The track cuts through immense lava flows from 1865, 1928, 1971 and 2002. From here the ride follows a mule track of great anthropological importance to the Magazzini area near the village of Saint Alfio.
6.30 p.m. - The ride reaches the agritourism “Cirasella” , and then, on horseback, the riders go to see  the pluri-millenary Chestnut Tree of a Hundred Horses, under whose breadth of foliage, as legend has it, in the fourteenth century Queen Joan of Angiò and her retinue took shelter from a storm during a hunt. On return to the hotel the riders settle  the horses for the night before having dinner  and a good night’s sleep.

SUNDAY
7.00 a.m. - Grooming of horses.
7.30 a.m. - Breakfast.
8.00 a.m. - The ride sets out to cross the Felcerossa (red fern) area and go through the Nicolosi wood, along a nature path that takes us to Piano dell’Acqua (717 m.) . From here you can see the lowest area of 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, encircled by the flow, bear witness to a recent past.    You now enter a holm oak wood in the Ilice area and then skirt Mount Arcimis (1284m.) . Here the scenery  totally changes again and the ride crosses the lunar landscape of the 1634 lava flow to reach Mount Serra Pizzuta Galvarina (1704m.). The Forestry paths are now left behind and  the ride goes along a quiet  provincial country road with lava flows

and extinct craters on either side, the most important being the Silvestri craters  (2000m.). These craters mark the beginning of the small South Etna tourist area, which, before re-clearing had been partly covered by recent lava flows.
1.30 p.m. - Lunch stop at the  Corsaro  restaurant . Souvenirs of Etna can be bought in the many little shops in this small area. There are breathtaking views down to the Ionian Sea and the Plain of Catania.
3.30 p.m. - The ride sets out again and passes Mount dei Santi and then starts the downhill return to the rural guesthouse Frutteto di Efesto in the Mirio area, where riders say goodbye to each other (and their horses) – until the next time.
MONDAY - Leaving after breakfast.

Cost  (tax included): on hired horse € 740,00 per person.
This price includes: hire of horse and tack for three days, 3 dinners, 3 overnight stops and 3 breakfasts in  rural guesthouses; 1 overnight stop in a Forestry hut in sleeping bag, 1 breakfast, 3 lunches and 1 country style barbecue dinner.

Back-up jeep with driver for transport of luggage, 1 qualified guides, camp bed and sleeping bag.

TREK DETAILS
Minimum 4 and maximum 10 riders.
Duration of trek: 3 days.
Length of  trek: circa 100 kms.
Level of difficulty:  medium difficult.

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

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

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