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Mount Etna Nature Reserve | 95019 Zafferana Etnea

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The Etna Park, famous for the highest European active volcano, has been the first Park to be established in Sicily in 1987. The landscape of the park is variegated and extremely rich thanks to its eruptions and for its lava flows.

 
 

The beautiful flora and fauna of the nature reserve of Mount Etna

 

Sicily's greatest natural attraction is also its highest mountain. To the ancient Greeks, Mount Etna was the realm of Vulcan, god of fire, and the home of the one-eyed monster known as the Cyclops. At approximately 3350 meters, it is Europe's highest active volcano. The height of its summit changes with each eruption, and over the centuries a few lava flows have reached the coast. Over 1200 square meters of Etna's surface is covered with solidified lava. Etna offers skiing in the Winter months and breathtaking hikes in the woods during the Summer. There are also a number of smaller peaks on the slopes of Etna, and some interesting caverns. 
 
Various species of oak and stone pine, as well as birch and beech, cover much of its sloped surface. Broom plant and other shrubs dot the area, especially at lower altitudes. Etna's deciduous trees change color in the Autumn, creating a spectacular panoply of changing shades.
 
Frogs, toads and turtles live in the streams and small ponds of Etna's forests. There are also various species of snakes and Sicily's ubiquitous lizards. Foxes, squirrels, weasels, hare, hedgehogs, porcupine and a few wild cats also consider Etna their domain. Overhead, you'll see owls, falcons, partridges and the occasional golden eagle, a Mediterranean species re-introduced here in recent years. In the Gurrida Lake area, there are herons, ducks and migratory birds.
 
For Visitors: Remember that it's always quite a bit cooler on Etna than it is in the valleys or along the coast. There are several roads into the park, and even a railway line from Catania to Riposto (though with only occasional departures), as well as bus service from Catania.

 

Direction
Paco dell'Etna

95019 Zafferana Etnea
Italy
"The beautiful flora and fauna of the nature reserve of Mount Etna"

The Etna Park, famous for the highest European active volcano, has been the first Park to be established in Sicily in 1987. The landscape of the park is variegated and extremely rich thanks to its eruptions and for its lava flows.

 
 

The beautiful flora and fauna of the nature reserve of Mount Etna

 

Sicily's greatest natural attraction is also its highest mountain. To the ancient Greeks, Mount Etna was the realm of Vulcan, god of fire, and the home of the one-eyed monster known as the Cyclops. At approximately 3350 meters, it is Europe's highest active volcano. The height of its summit changes with each eruption, and over the centuries a few lava flows have reached the coast. Over 1200 square meters of Etna's surface is covered with solidified lava. Etna offers skiing in the Winter months and breathtaking hikes in the woods during the Summer. There are also a number of smaller peaks on the slopes of Etna, and some interesting caverns. 
 
Various species of oak and stone pine, as well as birch and beech, cover much of its sloped surface. Broom plant and other shrubs dot the area, especially at lower altitudes. Etna's deciduous trees change color in the Autumn, creating a spectacular panoply of changing shades.
 
Frogs, toads and turtles live in the streams and small ponds of Etna's forests. There are also various species of snakes and Sicily's ubiquitous lizards. Foxes, squirrels, weasels, hare, hedgehogs, porcupine and a few wild cats also consider Etna their domain. Overhead, you'll see owls, falcons, partridges and the occasional golden eagle, a Mediterranean species re-introduced here in recent years. In the Gurrida Lake area, there are herons, ducks and migratory birds.
 
For Visitors: Remember that it's always quite a bit cooler on Etna than it is in the valleys or along the coast. There are several roads into the park, and even a railway line from Catania to Riposto (though with only occasional departures), as well as bus service from Catania.

 

95019 Zafferana Etnea, Sicily it
Latitude: 37 deg 45 min 36 sec N Longitude: 14 deg 59 min 24 dec W
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