BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ROUTE
Medium-high difficulty. The route is suitable for riders who are fairly well trained and ready for long climbs.The route climbs up Mount Etna on the side of the Giro d’Italia 2022 stage through the Etna Cycling Park, which includes several sides to climb. All the ascents share one main feature: an approx. 20-km-long distance with moderate gradients (about 6%).
Technical info
The Biancavilla side of Mount Etna has the following characteristics:
The start point is set in the centre of Ragalna, where several car parks are available. The route descends through Santa Maria di Licodia and Biancavilla. It is extremely inadvisable to take the ss.284, a congested expressway. Up to Biancavilla high traffic is to be expected, but it decreases once the route negotiates the ascent (brown signs for “Etna”). The climb winds up the slopes of the volcano, alternating between stretches of land with vegetation and stretches of lava rocks formed following relatively recent lava flows. At the bends in the road, follow the signs for Etna or, alternatively, for the Astrophysical Observatory.
It can be difficulty to identify the bend that from Strada Milia leads into the road heading to the Astrophysical Observatory. There are, however, several cues. The road narrows considerably and the road surface – dating to the Giro 2018 – was still very good at the time of our inspection.
At about km 14 of the climb (km 25 of the route) you negotiate the steepest section (approx. 1km).
Near Rifugio Sapienza you find several eateries.
The fast-rolling descent on the sp.92 leading to Nicolosi is a very wide road, not very steep, and you might even need to turn the pedals now and then. Keep in mind that, unlike the ascent, it is a busy road, especially on weekends and public holidays.
The return from Nicolosi to Ragalna, approx. 8km on the sp.160, is uncomplicated.The return from Nicolosi to Ragalna, approx. 8km on the sp.160, is uncomplicated.
NOTES:
Several guided hikes to the volcano’s summit start off from Rifugio Sapienza, as well as the cable car travelling up to 2,500m above sea level.
The Astrophysical Observatory is open on specific days and hours.
ROUTE CHANGES DURING YOUR RIDE:
If you have difficulty in completing the climb, you can remain on Strada Milia and, instead of going toward the Observatory, at km 24.9 you continue straight ahead and get to the descent to Nicolosi, shortcutting the route directly at km 46.9
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