Mount Athena has a long list of accomplishments. In the past, he wiped out several villages. Places were buried by ash and lava from volcanoes, which was not a happy end for the people who lived there. But the most interesting thing about the volcano Athena is that it still has a long life ahead of it. Athena is a very active volcano that erupts often to remind the people of Sicily who they are dealing with.
Even though this is a problem for the people of Sicily and the people who live in the villages near the mountain. For us tourists it is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to climb an active volcano. More specifically, a chance to climb Europe’s highest and most active volcano. A volcano was also chosen as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was on the “Volcanoes of the Decade” list, which is like the “Oscar” of volcanoes.
The mountain is more than 3,300 meters tall, but don’t try to climb to the top. Even if you are an experienced climber you will never be ready to handle a volcanic eruption. This is why every trip will end at a safe distance from the crater.
You can drive yourself to the volcano area, take a bus, or go on an organized trip. Off-road vehicles or people who are fit and ready to climb can get to the mountain.
On the mountain itself, you can take a jeep tour or a cable car for a fee. Through one of the companies that run shuttles and trips to the mountain. Prices start at 60 euros and can go up to 160 euros. You can climb on foot for a more challenging trip. If you choose the second way, keep in mind that as you get closer to the top, it will get colder. If you haven’t been there before, you shouldn’t go there, especially in the winter.
No matter which trip you choose, you’re sure to have a great time and see something unique. On the way, you’ll see trees and lots of lava fields. You might also see ash coming out of the volcano, which is an amazing and rare sight. You should check the weather report before going to the area because cloudy or foggy weather will make the view hard to see.
The whole trip to the Athena area, including the climb and the lookout, takes a few hours. Set aside an entire day for the trip up the mountain. You can stop in one of the nearby villages and have a cup of coffee or a meal at one of the many cafes or restaurants in this beautiful tourist area.
