Eric is one of the top hiking YouTubers. One of the reasons I signed up instantly when he posted this trip is for the superb video documentation.
Before you sign up for Kili, watch his 43 minute documentary in 4K.
Sure Kili is one of the easiest trekking peaks close to 6000m — but it ain’t easy.
This guided trek on the highest mountain in Africa is as good as it gets. Eric worked with Zara Tours, the biggest outfitter on the mountain. TrovaTrip handled logistics.
Opened on 19 March 2026 by King Charles III, the trail extends for 2,689 miles (4,328 km).
Existing coastal trails in England will be incorporated into the King Charles III England Coast Path. Signage along the whole route now falls to a uniform design:
Religious followers climb on the night of September 4 for the anniversary of the death of Santa Rosalia, patroness of the city of Palermo.
The “Scala Vecchia” (Old Stairway/Acchianata): This is the classic pilgrimage path. It is a broad, cobbled stone road that switchbacks up the mountain.
Distance: ~7 km round trip.
Duration: Approximately 1.5 to 2 hours to reach the sanctuary.
There’s actually a network of seep trails and roadways, making Pellegrino popular with cyclists and trail runners.
My hike was supposed to finish at the Sanctuary of Santa Rosalia. There’s a bus back from here.
But I decided to add another km, or so, and make my way to the top on a narrow, little used trail I saw on Maps.me.
I took a shortcut on this road back to the trail. And walked down the way I’d come up.
A good workout.
Yes. Same spelling as S.Pellegrino — but the brand is named after the town of San Pellegrino Terme in the province of Bergamo, Lombardy, where the water has been bottled since 1899.
Should have done some research. Summit trekking peak tours of Etna generally operate from April through November, with the main hiking season starting around May.
I arrived late March. There was a LOT of snow, even around 1900m. It can be 10–15°C cooler than in Catania. Many tourists arrive underdressed. And with footwear better for the beach than snow. 😀
Volcanic rock is somewhat sharp. It can cut flip-flops. I wore approach shoes and was OK on the snow and ice. Coming from Canada, this was normal for me. I didn’t see anyone using any kind of ice cleats.
They ski and snowshoe here. There are 2 small ski resorts.
I’d flown into the jumping-off point for Etna, the city of Catania.
There are dozens of options for day hiking Etna, from dozens of companies. It’s confusing.
My hostel recommended a day trip by bus offered by Tourist Service for €30, discounted from a posted €35 regular price. Since their office was right next door to my accommodation, I signed up.
It’s about 2 hours (with traffic) to Etna from the city. On the way up, we stopped to see a recent example of eruption damage. Yikes. This mountain has killed a lot of people over the centuries.
Bus delivered us to Rifugio Sapienza at around 1900m on the more popular south side of the mountain. A bit of a tourist trap. The north trailhead (Piano Provenzana) is better for offers wilder hiking trails and fewer crowds.
From Sapienza you can take a cable car up to 2500m. It’s expensive at €54 return when I was there. And you can hire a 4×4 contraption to pay even more. Guides are required at higher elevations.
I opted to stay close to the Rifugio Sapienza trailhead, saving my money for a summit climb some time in future.
There’s an additional €5entry fee for the Silvestri Craters on the south side. Well worth it. The highlight for me.
It’s only about 1km to circumambulate all 5 craters — but they are scenic.
With an hour left before my bus departed, I climbed the most conspicuous cone.
Driving your own vehicle to Rifugio Sapienza is a good option. And there’s a public bus €6.60 return — but it leaves Catania very early. Returns very late. I assume that service runs mainly for employees.
besthike.com 