Stromboli: Sunset Trekking to the Sciara del Fuoco

About This Experience

This is a hike on Stromboli itself, not a boat trip, so you need to be on the island already, either staying there or arriving earlier by ferry or tour. The group meets at the Ashàra guides' office near Piazza San Vincenzo two hours before sunset. Because the walk ends late in the evening and there are no late ferries back, the operator says you will need to stay overnight on Stromboli.

After a safety briefing, the volcanological guide leads you up a nature trail to 400 metres. That is the maximum altitude allowed with a guide, and the listing says the tour stops there because the summit craters are closed. You do not reach the summit or the crater rim. The guide can also change the route or turn the group back if the weather, the ground or the volcano's behaviour makes it unsafe, and has the final say on the hill.

On the way up there are pauses for the view, a stop at the island's old cemetery and a path through Mediterranean scrub with Strombolicchio in sight most of the time. From the viewpoint you look across to the summit craters and the Sciara del Fuoco, the slope where volcanic material runs down to the sea. The pace is set for the group, and there are breaks along the way to rest and take in the island.

The aim is to arrive for sunset and stay into the dark, when explosions show up best, although activity varies from evening to evening. You then walk back down by headlamp to the starting point. Helmets and headlamps are provided, and trekking shoes can be rented on the spot if you have none. Food and drink are not included, so carry water and a snack for the five hours.

Highlights

• Guided ascent to 400 metres, the maximum altitude allowed with a volcanological guide
• Views over the summit craters and the Sciara del Fuoco
• A stop at Stromboli's old cemetery on the way up
• Strombolicchio in view across much of the trail
• Sunset over the Aeolian islands, then the descent in the dark
• Guiding in English, French or Italian

What's Included

• ✓ Volcanological guide
• ✓ Rock helmet
• ✓ Headlamp
• ✓ Safety briefing before the start
• ✓ Stop at the viewpoint facing the Sciara del Fuoco around sunset

Not Included

• Food and drink
• Trekking shoes (available to rent on the spot)
• Ferry or boat to Stromboli
• Overnight accommodation on Stromboli

What to Bring

• Hiking shoes
• Water
• Snacks
• A windproof jacket
• Sportswear, T-shirt and shorts
• Socks and a daypack

Good to Know & Caveats

• The hike starts from Stromboli village, so you must already be on the island; boat transport is not included.
• The walk ends late in the evening and there are no ferries back, so plan to stay overnight on Stromboli.
• The tour stops at 400 metres because the summit craters are closed.
• The guide can change or stop the hike for weather, environmental reasons or volcanic risk.
• Volcanic activity varies and explosions are never guaranteed.
• Oversize luggage, baby strollers and open-toed shoes are not allowed.

Meeting Point

Ashàra Etna & Stromboli Guides, Via Vittorio Emanuele near Piazza San Vincenzo, Stromboli village; you must already be on Stromboli (the boat to the island is not included).