Black Mountain Zappini

Difficulty ': Low

Altitude difference: 150 m

Maximum height: 1860m

Distance: 4.5 kilometers.

Travel time: 3 hours.

Possible free shuttle service offered by the City of Ragalna, in piazza Cisterna, reservations recommended.

The beginning of the trail is marked by Vetore Plan.

This path winding several points of interest: Ancient lava flows, hornito, larch forests, botanical garden, astrophysical observatory, caves of volcanic rock and lava cave.

This route is suitable for all ages, is characterized by a volcanic path, consisting of a dirt road on the right where you can see some ancient lava flows. In this trail you can see a suggestive "Hornito" (word of Spanish origin meaning "little oven") arisen from escaping certain amount of gas coming from the lava below.

Also through a larch forest, you will reach the botanical garden Etna "New Gussonea" peculiar not only being located on a volcanic mountain and filled the Mediterranean region, but also because it is intended to house only species and plant communities Etna (endemic) , such as birch, appeared presumably during the last glaciation and survived until today for having developed a natural system to adapt to the Sicilian climate. The excursion includes a visit to a cave in lava, that of "Santa Barbara."