Sentiero 785 inglese

ITINERARY

It starts from Piazza Rocca in Ragalna (Point 1, 917 meters above sea level). From here, following the sign and the characteristic white-red flags, head west on Via Cavaliere and runs along the northern area of the town of Ragalna. Along the way it is possible to observe what remains of Villabona estate, belonging to the Moncada princes. It was the largest of the eighteenth-century Ragalna and included a two-story building, a millstone, a chapel (no longer visible), a large cistern and the houses of those directed the agricultural work. Prince Giovan Luigi Moncada took refuge there around 1780, fleeing the unrest that broke out in Paternò for the nationalization of private properties of that Municipality, which he will oppose until the decline of his feudal rights in 1812. Nearby, beyond via Cavaliere, other ancient villas can be admired, including Villa Pulvirenti which houses a still undamaged millstone, dated 1742, and the first chestnut planted in the area.

At the end of via Cavaliere, after about 1 km, at the intersection with via Grotte Catanesi there is Point 2. From here, it is possible to make a detour to visit the two Catanese Caves 1 and 2.

Instead, Path 785 heads north on via Monte Arso. Keeping to the edge of the asphalted road, you walk about 400 meters to reach “Grotta delle Scupettate” (point 3, 917 m.a.s.l.) a small lava flow cave lies under the perimeter wall of an agricultural land. The changes brought about by the numerous collapses are noteworthy. At its edge it is possible to collect the “cannatedda” (called Strigoli in Italian), an edible herb known since ancient times with a delicious taste. Just in front of the cave, you can admire a grove of oaks, a remnant of the original forest of Mt. Etna.

Continue uphill on asphalt for about 100 meters to the point where the asphalted road surface gives way to a characteristic lava pavement, characterized by two smoother longitudinal strips that once served to facilitate the wheels of the carts. Continuing uphill, we enter in Mollecchina district, a wooded area characterized by the Mediterranean scrub with beautiful holm oak trees, oaks and specimens of broom.
When into a curve the bottom becomes dirt again, here we are in correspondence of the entrance to the panoramic Ardizzone farm, now renovated and transformed into the Boscoscuro agritourism. The truck becomes narrower here, continuing it is possible to see the top of Mount Arso (1102 m.a.s.l.), the cart road climbs alongside the mountain to the east until it reached a crossroads (Point 4, 1081 m.a.s.l.), in the near a large oak tree. From here, through a steep path, it is worth reaching the top of the mountain for a panoramic view of the surrounding area.

Taking up the path, continue straight on the cart track for about 700 m, now narrowed and bordered by the typical dry stone walls characteristic of the Etna area. We enter the wood of Paternò, then arrive at an intersection, turn left and, immediately after, turn right to the second intersection. From here, about 100 m, in correspondence of a compact lava outcrop, the characteristic signpost tables indicating us to leave the cart track to enter on a small path that plunges into the woods. Along this path, after a few dozen meters, an indication invites us to take a short detour to exit the wood and be able to see a characteristic lava formation, a cannon-stone formed on one of the most extreme lava arms of the 1780 eruption. Back on the main path and continuing on it, you will come out on a small road, at times paved, near some holiday homes, some of them now ruined. Follow it for about 600 m avoiding deviating at crossroads, until you reach an appropriate signal that invites you to deviate north on a  path, that in a dozen meters, widens and becomes an uphill dirt road you come out on the “Ex trazzera San Leo-Milia”, known as the Milia road (point 5, 1275 m.a.s.l.). You pass the asphalted road and continue along the cart track toward the north for about 1.5 km, leaving the detours to the right and left, accompanied by the wonderful view of Mount Etna in the background. As soon as the narrow road deviated to the west, take a path that leads to the east and forward through the vegetation until it brings us near the “Grotta dell’Immacolata” (Point 6, 1469 m.a.s.l.), a lava cavity characterized by three different rooms. Near the cave, in a few dozen meters to the south, there is an ancient construction of the shepherds called “pagghiaru ‘n petra”, still well preserved.

Once back on the path, head north for about 300 m, coming out onto a small road with an asphalt surface in poor condition already. Here you turn right and continue; the road heads west before flat and then leading up, makes a few hairpin bends between lava flows and wooded areas. Just after a bend there is a crossroad, turn right onto a path that runs along the edge of a lush chestnut wood for about 400 m. Then, you leave the wooded stretch and turn off to cross another arm of the lava flow of 1780 in a west-east direction, on an ancient and characteristic path built on the sciara: it was probably used in the past for the exploitation of the forest.
After the flow and re-entering the wood, go up northward through wide paths that plow through the mixed vegetation of pines, broad-leaved trees and gorse. You pass again a small lava arm and back in the woods you reach the edges of Serra la Nave district, nearby the homonymous mountain. After a short stretch you meet the confluence with path 786B (Point 7, 1692 m.a.s.l.) which climbs up from Mount Manfrè Refuge. The surrounded area is characterized by a pine forest with specimens tall trees. Continue and in about 200 m you reach the gate of the Filiciusa-Milia State property (Point 8, 1700 m.a.s.l.) where the Etna Altomontana begins, first characterized by the 701A sign and then by the 701SI which coincides with a stretch of the Etnean variant of the Italian CAI Path.

Nearby there is the Ariel shelter, useful for a short break or to stay overnight and leave the next morning. From here, various excursions are possible on the southern side of Etna or take the Altomontana Trail, a path that circumnavigates Mt. Etna until you reach the Ragabo pine forest of Linguaglossa town on the north side of the volcano. 

Directions to the starting point (Point 1 – Piazza Rocca-Ragalna):

From the Paternò - Catania / SS121 highway, continue on the SS 284, take the Santa Maria di Licodia-Belpasso exit , keep right at the crossroads and enter the Provincial Road 4/11. Continue for about 2 km, then turn left onto Via Mongibello; follow it for 2.3 km, then continue on Via Paternò, piazza Cisterna, via Rocca (also SP 57) until you reach Piazza Rocca.

The Altomontana track is a 38-kilometer route that circumnavigates Mount Etna until it reaches the Ragabo di Linguaglossa pine forest on the north side of the volcano.