There are two access routes to the summit. The south side is the usual route, via 37.6997514.999121 Rifugio Giovanni Sapienza at 1923 m. This can be reached by 3 public roads: from the village of Nicolosi by either the SP 92 or the "Via Catania"; or from the village of Zafferana further northeast, also by the SP 92. A cable-car continues from Rifugio Sapienza to within 800 m of the summit.

The east side access is less touristy but more challenging, via 37.79715.0412 Piano Provenzana at 1800 m. This is reached by the public road that loops up from Fornazzo and from Linguaglossa. And then you've got a long hike ahead of you. This area is even more starkly volcanic than Sapienza, as it was engulfed in the eruption of 2002.

The two approaches are separated by the deep, forested Valle del Bove (Valley of the Ox): this is where the side of the mountain collapsed and slid into the sea circa 6000 BCE, causing a huge tsunami. Etna's fury is usually directed onto its eastern flank. The western side is spared, and several farming villages have long been here, such as Bronte and Maletto. They're worth a look but there are no practical routes up the mountain from the west side: it would involve a two- or three-day expedition.

Many companies offer tours and activities on Mount Etna, with day-trips from Catania, Taormina and elsewhere. These cost more than independent travel but make the logistics so much easier. Book them online in advance. If you arrive without fixing anything, enquire at the Park Headquarters, 37.6301715.02361 Parco dell’Etna (Etna Park), Monastero di San Nicolò La Rena - Via del Convento, 45 - 95030 Nicolosi (CT), ☏ +39 095 821111, ufficiostampa@parcoetna.it. (updated Feb 2017)

A18 is the main coast highway, with exits (coming from the north) at Fiumefreddo, Giarre, Acireale, Catania and Misterbianco.

For Provenzana and Etna North, exit at Fiumefreddo and follow SS 120 to Linguaglossa.

For Sapienza and Etna South, either exit at Giarre and take SS 118 for Zafferana, or at Catania and take SP 10 for Nicolosi.

SS 284 winds through the villages on the western flank.

• Parking at Sapienza. Parking costs €1.20/hr, €6/day. Purchasing a ticket from one of the offices with signs advertising parking tickets. (updated Oct 2019)

The only public bus up the mountain is AST Bus 607 from Catania via Nicolosi to Rifugio Sapienza. It runs once a day from Catania (main bus station) at 08:15, coming back at 16:30. From mid-June to mid-Sep there's also a bus up M-F at 11:20, and a bus back down at 10:45. The journey takes 2 hours, with a 20-minute stop in Nicolosi. If you hope to reach the summit, you need to take the first bus, to allow time to hike up and back and catch the bus down. The second bus is okay if you're content just to stroll close to Sapienza. The bus stops along the route but in summer gets packed, so get on at the main bus station if possible. A return ticket is €6.60. The service is run by AST, who run other buses to Nicolosi and the other villages around the mountain.

• VolcanoTrek (ProGaia), Via Minicucca, 16 I - 95037 S. G. La Punta, Catania (office in San Giovanni La Punta, Catania), ☏ +39 333-209-6604, info@volcanotrek.com. Etna volcano tours organized and guided by geologists, volcanologists and naturalistic guides. (updated Jul 2020)
• Gruppo Guide Etna Nord, Via Roma 81/83, 95015 Linguaglossa (office in Linguaglossa, Catania), ☏ +39 095-777-45-02 (landline), +39 377-37-11-028 (mobile), info@guidetnanord.com. (updated Jul 2020)
• Gruppo Guide Alpine Etna Sud, Piazza V. Emanuele, Nicolosi, Catania (also at Piazzale del Rifugio Sapienza 1910 m ASL), ☏ +39 095-791-4755 (landline), +39 389-349-6086 (mobile), info@etnaguide.com. (updated Jul 2020)
• Sicily Active, ☏ +39 338-825-5973, info@sicilyactive.com. Sicily active is an agency operating mountain biking and hiking mainly on Mount Etna's north side. (updated Apr 2021)
• Etna Donkey Trekking, Via Ponte, sn - Linguaglossa, Catania, info@etnadonkeytrekking.com. Excursion with donkeys through the north side of Mount Etna. (updated Apr 2021)

The ascent is relatively easy, weather permitting. First take the cable car ^{[dead link]} up to 2604 m. This is met by off-road 4WD buses which scramble up a pumice track to the summit vantage point of Torre del Filosopho. (If the cable-car isn't running, these buses start from Sapienza.) The cable car costs €50, €30 for 4-10s, free for under 4s (May 2024), but there isn't much to see at the cable car's terminus. The car of cable car, 4WD bus and guide is €65 (Oct 2019). Buy your tickets in the white Funivia building at the base of the cable car.

There are also many offices selling excursions, which include 4-5 hour guided hikes to the crater, mountain bike trips, and ATV trips.

You will find restaurant, souvenir shops, honey and wine sellers. There is also a "7-D" movie experience about Etna's eruptions at the base of the cable car (€7, Oct 2019), but who knows what "7-D" means

The most popular hike at Piano Provenzana's north side is the walk along with the massive eruption of 2002. From the car park walk down the road on the left-hand side, you will see a green bar, walk over it and follow the main path. The first landmark will be the hotel covered by the massive lava flow that destroyed Piano Provenzana in October 2002. Follow the trail for another thirty minutes, and on your right-hand side, you will see a path that leads to the summit of a series of beautiful craters overlooking the Mediterranean sea.

• Hiking: you must have a guide to hike the upper slopes. Regular guided hikes set out from Sapienza and from Provenzana, conditions permitting. You must be fit, hardy and well-dressed against cold wind and sleet, and for some winter treks you need an ice-axe, but you don't need specialist rock-climbing skills or equipment. From Sapienza these use the cable car and 4WD buses to reach the summit area, before striding off on a 4-5 hour trek of the charred terrain.

• Mountain bike and Quad excursions: The excursion centre next to Sapienza cable-car among other experiences offers ski-touring, off-road cycling and quad biking.

• 37.709814.99811 Skiing at Etna South (bove Sapienza). has 6.3 km of piste from 1910 to 2604 m altitude, with one gondola, one chairlift, and 3 towbars 

• Hiking is the number one choice among Piano Provenzana visitors. The most accessible trekking is the one that winds through the beautiful lava desert created by the massive eruption of 2002 and leads to a series of stunning craters with a breathtaking view of the mediterranean sea. The second and more challenging hike goes all the way to the volcanological observatory to an altitude of 2800 meters. The third hike available from Piano Provenzana is the hike to the summit, but by law, you must hire an alpine guide or a volcanological guide to reach the summit craters of Mount Etna. At Piano Provenzano, there is an office where you can hire a guide.

• Mountain bike: a few kilometr3s before Piano Provenzana, there is Clan dei Ragazzi, a Mountain Chalet that rents both muscular and electric mountain bikes. From Piano Provenzana by mountain bike follow the route to the 2002 eruption, keep on cycling and you can reach the observatory of geophysics at 2,800 m (8,200 ft.)

• Donkey trekking in summer at Piano Provenzana, a local company offers donkey trekking, through the beautiful woodland of Etna north side.

• Quad excursions: are available at Rifugio Ragabo, 5 km from Piano Provenzana.

• Walking with a llama: A great tour for families with young kids is the walk with a llama, also available at Rifugio Ragabo.

• 37.797915.03542 Skiing at Etna North (above Provenzana). has 10.3 km of pistes from 1,810-2,336 m, with one chairlift and 3 towbars. The two areas are not linked. The season is fairly short as these are low altitudes by Alpine standards.