Has anyone on the forum done the rail trip around Etna on the old Circumetnea Railway? Can you explain how it works? I am having difficulty understanding the timetables and options on the website. We will be in Catania in September for three nights over a weekend. I know we can catch the train in Catania and I have read that Randazzo makes a nice stop for lunch. If you get off in a town along the way do you just use the same ticket to get on the next train? Does the train actually return to Catania, making a complete circle or does it end its route in Giare and from there we need to return to Catania either by regular train or bus? Does the Circumetnea run on Sundays? If you have done the trip, will you share your experience with me and any tips you may have. We are not interested in climbing Etna but are interested in seeing it and the surrounding areas in all of their scenic beauty and this historic train route seems interesting. Any advice? Thank you.
Posted by
🏝️ Hobe Sound, FL⛱️
3262 posts
I haven’t taken the train around Etna, but I have driven it. So, being a train buff, you put me on the track to find out more. The train leaves from Catania Borgo and goes to Riposto. To get back to Catania, you would take a regionale on TrenItalia. Here’s a schedule that shows that you must change trains in Randazzo to complete the trip on the narrow-gauge railway. As noted, there is no service on Sundays. I would go to the Tourist Info in Catania and most likely they could tell you more. 🚂
Posted by
US
605 posts
Hi Pat,
We took this little train last year from Catania to Randazzo. The first part wasn't very scenic, but once you start to get to the lava fields it changes and becomes more interesting. And, of course, you can see Etna most of the way. We only went as far as Randazzo, which we found to be a nice town to walk around and see. It is referred to as the "black town" due to the use of lava stone in many of the buildings. It was very different from most of the places we visited in Sicily or mainland Italy, and we were glad we spent the time visting it. We took the train back to Catania rather than continue on to Riposto. It is a long day on the train if you travel all the way around Etna; it just depends on how you want to spend your time. I think you can also go in the other direction, Catania to Randazzo, then on to Catania. Some say that is the more scenic route. Either way I think you'll enjoy it. Buon viaggio!
Posted by
OP
back in the Americas
709 posts
Thanks Phillip and Sempre Italia. I appreciate your help. I also saw a recommendation to start in Giara and go counterclockwise just as far as Randazzo and then return, and Sempre Italia it looks like you started in Catania and went clockwise and returned. Is that correct? It looks like it is a long journey to do the whole trip and probably not necessary. I am hoping to get off somewhere along the route, for lunch, probably Randazzo. Once we get to Catania I will inquire at TI. If anyone else has done the trip, which direction did you travel and which section did you find to be the most scenic? Grazie.
Posted by
US
605 posts
Yes, Pat, we started in Catania and went to Randazzo then back again. Hopefully someone on this forum has gone in the other direction and can fill you in. Whichever way you decide to go, I would still recommend a stop in Randazzo. But you do need to be aware of the schedule and I would also suggest buying your roundtrip ticket in Catania. I always find that easier to do, especially since some of the smaller stations are not manned, they just have a machine and you never know when something can go wrong with it. I can't recall the situation in Randazzo, because I purchased tickets in Catania. Have a great trip (I envy you)!