Circumetnea ... Mount Etna's Little Railway

Ancient Lava Flows and a Snowy Mount Etna
When you drive through the towns on the slopes of Mount Etna you might find yourself having to stop at many railway crossings most of which are operated by hand, the little train that comes tumbling past is the Ferrovia Circumetnea train which has been going around Etna since 1895.

The Circumetnea is a narrow gauge railway of 110 km that starts in Catania and ends in Riposto, the railway circumnavigates Mount Etna. It passes through scenic and rural landscapes with Etna's summit forever visible throughout your journey. It’s the perfect alternative way to enjoy Mount Etna's beauty.

The 110 km long route climbs up the slopes of the volcano showing its passengers onboard the beautiful scenery of Mount Etna, its citrus orchards, valleys and streams, lava flows, small towns and breath taking countryside.

The train leaves the station of Catania-Borgo Circumetnea on Via Caronda and proceeds towards the Western side of Etna, to Misterbianco through citrus groves, olive groves and crops of prickly pear cacti. The first stops are at Paterno, Biancavilla and Adrano, where you find yourself amongst pistachio trees and ancient lava flows. At Paterno you will find a medieval castle and in Adrano an ancient Saracen bridge.

The Circumetnea also stops at Bronte “the City of Pistachios” which is also well known for Castello Nelson which was once the home of Admiral Lord Nelson which has a castle and beautiful gardens. Search our blog archive in February 2015 for our post “Castello Nelson” and find out how we had the whole of Nelsons Castle to ourselves on our visit.

The journey continues on to Maletto which is well known for its cultivation of strawberries, there is a festival here in June dedicated to this delicious summer fruit.



At Randazzo you can visit the medieval town which boasts wonderful architecture, the Cathedral of Santa Maria is well worth a visit for its Gothic Catalan structure. After Randazzo the journey starts its descent along the Alcantara valley and its river, through Etna’s finest vineyards. The next stop is at Linguaglossa which is known as the door to the North side of Etna, the train also passes through the towns of Mascali and Giarre before continuing on to Riposto, known as the Tourist Port of Etna, where the train comes to the end of its journey. At Risposto you can take a bus or train to Catania or Taormina/Giardini Naxos.

The entire trip is a journey lasting about three hours. You can buy a round trip ticket and go up and down on the same day from every station.

The whole trip is magical with an abundance of photo opportunities which will create Insta-envy from your Instagram followers. It is a relaxing inexpensive way to spend the day and you may even find the locals waving at you as the train passes by.

If you love wine tours 'The Train of the Wines of Etna' is a unique way to experience wine tasting in Sicily. By travelling the slopes of Etna by the Ferrovia Circumetnea and then taking the 'Wine Bus' you can visit the "Strade del Vino dell'Etna" (the roads of Etna's wines) and freely discover the most beautiful wine cellars of Etna. 

Visit www.circumetnea.it for more information and timetables.
For the Train of the Wines of Etna visit

Photo Gallery 

Mount Etna seen from Bronte

Castello Nelson

Cathedral of Santa Maria, Randazzo

Saracen Bridge, Adrano

Traffic Jam, Randazzo

Alcantara River

Mount Etna 

abundance of Citrus Groves

Vineyards of Mount Etna

Ancient Lava Flows



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