Etna da Zafferana Etnea

Description

The south-east climb of Etna up to Rifugio Sapienza (about 1,900 m asl) from the Catania coast, classifiable as a long climb with medium slopes, has a difference in height of about 1,850 m with average gradients of 6-7% and is one of the hardest climbs in Central-Southern Italy. Beyond the Sapienza Refuge, the ascent continues tortuously on dirt ground for another thousand meters in altitude up to the Torre del Filosofo (about 2900 m) which together make it the climb with the highest altitude difference in Europe together with the Pico del Veleta. Two other ascent slopes are on the south side up to the astronomical observatory and on the north-east side from Linguaglossa to Piano Provenzana.

The Giro d’Italia has reached Etna 6 times in various stage arrivals. From 1980 to 2004, the Giro dell’Etna existed in the professional field