The circumetnea railway it’s the only
narrow-gauge railway line in Sicily.
It was opened in the late 19th-century and was altered
several times when lava flows from Mount Etna
invaded the track.
The route starts at the terminus in Catania.
During the first section in the city,
it’s like being on a tram,
and the train often has to stop to allow traffic to cross.
The circumetnea railway line proper begins after
Catania Borgo and continues with the marvelous
landscapes of the volcano in the background.
However,
the highest point of the journey is at Rocca Calanna
(976 m. above sea-level),
after which the train begins its descent to the sea
with even more splendid views along the Ionian coast.
Although,
to return to Catania you can either catch a normal Trenitalia
(the Italian national railway company) train at Giarre (a
stop on the Messina-Catania line);
or you can continue to the terminus at Riposto.
The train maximum speed is 60 km per hour.
Many of the stations,
once used by farmers to reach their farms from the towns
where they lived,
are now starting-points for nature walks.
From Passo Zingaro,
for example,
a mule-path leads up across old lava fields to Monte Minardo.
HOW TO GET THERE
By car: A19 highway, exit at Catania.
By train: Catania train station.
INFO: Ferrovia circumetnea railway,
stazione Catania Borgo, 95100 Catania.
Phone Number: 0039-095/541250 0039-095/541251,
E-Mail: info@circumetnea.it
WEB: www.circumetnea.it
Train schedule: runs all year around, consult the timetable for the
train times.
Tickets: Catania-Randazzo Euro 3,85