Piano Provenzana

The stunning lava desert of Piano Provenzana

Nestled on the northern slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily, Italy, exploring Piano Provenzana reveals a landscape shaped by the 2002 eruption. The area now boasts a unique lava desert scenery due to the environmental transformation. You can immerse yourself in nature walks, exciting crater excursions, and panoramic views of the Ionian Sea. Delight your taste buds with traditional Sicilian dishes paired with local wines or sweet treats like granita. Not far from Piano Provenzana there is a mountain chalets for accommodation, waking up to stunning mountain vistas. Engage scenic drives, and volcano tours for a full experience of this enchanting destination. Piano Provenzana is on the north side of Mount Etna in the minicipality of Linguaglossa. The closest tourist hub to Provenzana is Taormina.

History of Piano Provenzana

The history of Piano Provenzana - Etna Nord takes us back in time and dates back to the 1950s when the "1st Etna Trophy" skiing event was organised, on the northern side of Etna. A ski mountaineering competition organized by teams right on the slopes of the active volcano.

In fact, the first ski school appeared in Piano Provenzana in the 1970s. And in the 1980s, hiking activities to the summit craters also began to be activated.

Piano Provenzana was forever altered by the 2002 eruption, leaving behind a stark lava desert landscape. The environmental impact of this cataclysmic event was profound, transforming the once verdant surroundings into a rugged terrain of cooled lava flows. The volcanic event of October 2002 wiped out two hotels, the ski lift and a series of restaurants and souvenir shops. Despite the devastation, rebuilding efforts have been underway, slowly but steadily restoring the area's natural beauty and ecosystem and local economy.

The road to Piano Provenzana was builted in 1974 when a single trail that led to Piano Provenzana was improved and repaired. In 1971 the first cableways were built on the North side of Etna, on a municipal concession, the Nascivera company from Rovereto installed the first ski lift on Etna North called "Pouchoz", entrusted later after the construction of another ski lift in Monte Conca in 1973.The management of the systems is entrusted by the municipality of Linguaglossa to the "F.lli Vitale company". Sold after a couple of years to the S.t.a.r. company. The S.t.a.r. company in the meantime built 3 other plants called Coccinella, Anfiteatro and Tanaurpi. Concession managed and remained active until 1994. After a year of standstill in 1994, local politics changed direction and since 1995 the plants have been entrusted and managed by other companies. The Pouchouz ski lift has always remained managed by the S.t.a.r. company. The rest of the plants were managed by the local company S.t.e.l. and everything remained functional until the 2001 season, then reset with the 2002 eruption. As Piano Provenzana continues to rebuild and evolve, it serves as a tribute to the enduring spirit of its inhabitants and the lasting legacy of this remarkable region.

Piano Provenzana Attractions and Activities

After encountering the transformative effects of the 2002 eruption, Piano Provenzana now beckons visitors with a variety of engaging attractions and activities. Nature walks through the picturesque surroundings offer a peaceful retreat, allowing you to immerse yourself in the lush forests and vineyards. Adventure tours such as crater excursions and 4WD tours provide exhilarating experiences, showcasing the rugged beauty of Mount Etna. The scenic views from Piano Provenzana, overlooking the Ionian Sea, Taormina, and Calabria on clear days, are truly breathtaking. Mountain bike tours are available to climb from Piano Provenzana to the Observatory of Vulcanology at 2900 meters from where the view on the summit craters and the bove valley is stunning. Another intresting walk departing from Piano provenzano is the one leading to the Timpa rossa forest and shelter, while if you move southwards from the car park of Piano provenzana towards the Monte Conca restaurant the pista poiana trail goes all the way to the Sartotius craters. In winter the Poiana trails turns into a cross country skiing track, that it can be travelled also with a enchanting snow shoes hike.

Where to eat at Piano Provenzana

At Piano Provenzano the option to grab somenthing to eat are limited, nevertheless you can delight yourself with some tipical Sicilian dish and taste some good wine. The chiosco Mare Neve is the ideal place to drink a coffe while enjoying the view of the lava desert produced by the large eruption of 2002. The same kiosk serves pasta and main courses. If you are looking for a real restaurant just a few hundred meters from the main car park there is th e"Monte Conca" restaurant. A beautiful chalet is the clan dei ragazzi 5 km. from Piano Provenzana.

Piano Provenzana offers the possibility to shop for souvenirs and to rent trekking boots, jackets and skiing gear for the winter season.

Tips for Travelers

There is a fee to pay for the car park is around €3 for the whole day, but please ask to the parking attendants.
If you are planning a To visit Piano Provenzana read a guide on how to prepare you trip. remeber Mount Etna is an active volcano
The sausage served at the kiosk Mare neve is delicious.
If you visit Piano Provenzana in winter make sure you carry chain for the wheels or use winter tyres, you are going close to 2000 meters.
Jackets and hiking gear can be rented at Piano Provenzana.