Galvarina Hut – Rifugio Santa Maria loop from Acireale

Bike touring routes & trails

Galvarina Hut – Rifugio Santa Maria loop from Acireale

Hard

5.0

(3)

riders

Galvarina Hut – Rifugio Santa Maria loop from Acireale

09:11

107km

2,580m

Cycling

Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: September 25, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment in which cycling is not permitted

After 91.8 km for 131 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

41.5 km

Galvarina Hut

Highlight • Mountain Hut

Excellent refuge to stay the night at 1800 meters, immersed in a magnificent environment.

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43.2 km

Bivacco Poggio La Caccia

Highlight • Mountain Hut

This is the highest bivouac on Etna at around 1910 meters above sea level. The bunk bed and woodshed were recently built during the last renovation. It is one of the most scenic bivouacs.

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46.2 km

Volcanic Sand Trail, Parco dell'Etna

Highlight • Trail

Along the entire western slope of the Altomontana and in particular in the indicated segment there is a layer of volcanic sand on the path of about 5 cm which can represent a danger for cyclists.

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60.1 km

Rifugio Santa Maria

Highlight • Mountain Hut

Inside the Santa Maria refuge there are two bunk beds, a fireplace, a table and wooden benches. Outside there is a constantly stocked woodshed. It is an ideal place to …

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61.5 km

Passo dei Dammusi

Mountain Pass

66.3 km

Monte Russello

Forest

69.8 km

Chalet Club Ragazzi

Highlight • Mountain Hut

The structure offers hospitality, catering and camping but also the possibility of renting bikes and horseback riding on Etna.

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71.4 km

2002 Lava Flow on Via Mareneve – Mount Etna

Highlight • Natural Monument

This is what it looks like when the lava crosses the street.

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80.2 km

Descent on Strada Mareneve, Parco dell'Etna

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Leaving Piano Provenzana behind, the descent begins towards Milo-Zafferana Etnea. Here the road crosses the entire east side of Etna and the view opens towards the Ionian Sea. The road …

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91.7 km

Chiesa Madre di San Nicola, Trecastagni

Highlight • Religious Site

The mother church stands on a wide lava stone staircase and is the most important monument of the city. Mandatory stop in the city during the autumn period when the …

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106 km

Castello Pennisi di Floristella

Castle

107 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

61.6 km

36.2 km

8.88 km

712 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

64.8 km

35.1 km

4.85 km

2.44 km

233 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Friday 23 October

22°C

13°C

38 %

Additional weather tips

There’s a fairly high chance of rain. Consider packing a waterproof jacket.

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

May 18, 2025,Pista Altomontana sull’Etna (Sicilia - Prov. Catania)

BE CAREFUL about the transit date, before the Rif. Galvarina, you have to cross the recent lava front (60/70 m) with your bike on your shoulder, on very uneven terrain.

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May 24, 2025,4. Etna altomontana giro ad anello con partenza da Milo - Giorno 2 - da rifugio sapienza a Milo

After a hearty breakfast at the refuge and an essential discussion about whether Arancine or Arancini is more correct, we set off for the high mountain trail.
High expectations, but also a lot of courage thanks to the awareness that at least we had arrived there.
Before leaving, since a few months earlier Etna had erupted, interrupting the trail, we …

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