Sicily - Active Volcanoes & Islands 8 Days

The walk starts in Lipari and finishes in Sicily. The most convenient airport is Catania Fontanarossa (CTA), with good international connections. Flights must arrive by 4.15pm to allow time for onward connections. From Catania, direct bus services run to Milazzo, from where hydrofoils and ferries connect to Lipari. Alternatively, a bus or train from Catania reaches Messina, which also has ferry connections to Lipari. Bus reservations to Milazzo must be made before 1.00pm the day before travel. Book Italian rail tickets in advance through Trenitalia.

As with all rail travel in Italy, remember to stamp your ticket at the platform machine before boarding. Inspectors treat an unstamped ticket as unpaid travel, regardless of whether you have paid.

This walk is available from 1 April to 27 July and from 1 September to 31 October. August is not offered due to the intense Sicilian heat. Late April through June is particularly fine, with wildflowers on Etna's lower slopes, mild temperatures and quieter trails. September and October are shoulder season at their best: the heat has eased, the crowds have thinned and the volcanic landscapes are at their most atmospheric. Pack layers whatever the season; temperatures drop sharply at altitude on Etna and Stromboli.

This walk is graded easy to moderate. Daily walks average 12 kilometres with around 526 metres of ascent and descent, and a terrain difficulty rating of 2 out of 10. The terrain is uneven and mountainous in character, so sturdy walking boots with good ankle support and reliable grip are essential.

Elevation is the primary training consideration for this route, placing demands on an entirely different set of muscles to everyday flat walking. Include serious hill climbs in your preparation; a treadmill, stair climber, or local grandstand works well if hills are not accessible. Balance and lower-body strength exercises such as squats, lunges, and single-leg stands will also help on the uneven ground. Daily walk notes, maps, and GPX tracks are provided.

You must hold adequate travel insurance for your trip, including cover for personal liability and accidental injury and illness. For all trips involving international travel, your policy must also include emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation cover. We strongly recommend your policy also covers trip cancellation and curtailment, and loss of or damage to luggage.

A cancellation fee usually applies if you cancel after your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance with cancellation cover will generally cover this fee, so it's worth arranging your policy at the time of booking.

Full insurance requirements are set out in our booking terms and conditions.

A detailed information pack and itinerary will be sent to you around six weeks before departure, covering everything you need to know for a seamless experience. In the meantime, our team is always on hand to answer any questions.

For your safety and well-being, we are unable to accept bookings for solo walkers on this self-guided trip. The remote nature of some tracks and limited mobile reception mean that walking alone presents a higher risk in case of emergencies.

When public transport is used during the walk you will take your luggage with you. On Day 5 you will take your luggage with you on the ferry from Lipari to Stromboli. Luggage transfer is included only on Day 5 and Day 6 as you transfer to/from your hotel and Stromboli harbour. On Day 6 you will travel to Taormina on public transport with your luggage.