With a Height of over 3300 metres, Mount Etna is Europe's tallest volcano, and over the last 30 years there has been an eruption on average every 3 years, each lasting from 5 days to over a year.
The three highest points on Mount Etna that can be reached by road with private veichles or public transport arte the Sapienza refuge or Nicolosi Nord, on the south of the mountain at 1910 metres, Piano Provenzana on the north-east slopes at 1816 metres, and the Citelli Refuge, on the same side at 1746 metres. The Sapienza Refuge is best approached from Catania, passing through Nicolosi or Pedara, or from the Giarre or Acireale exits on the A18 motorway, then passing through Zafferana Etnea. Piano Provenzana is reached from the Fiumefreddo motorway exit, taking the road that leads through Linguaglossa. To reach the Citelli Refuge, leave the motorway at Giarre and pass through Sant'Alfio and Fornazzo.

Opened In 1987 to safeguard and overall area of 580 square kilometres, divided as follow:

Zone A: Fully protected area 190 square kilometres

Zone B: Partially protected are, 260 square kilometres.

Zone C: With the pre-existent tourist and hospitality facilities, and possibility of opening a new facilities 43 square kilometres.

Zone D: Pre-park belt 97 square kilometres. The park estends through the territory of 20 local authorities: Adrano, Belpasso, Biancavilla, Bronte, Castiglione di Sicilia, Giarre, Linguaglossa, Maletto, Mascali, Milo, Nicolosi, Pedara, Piedimonte Etneo, Randazzo, Ragalna, Sant'Alfio, Santa Maria di Licodia, Trecastagni, Viagrande and Zafferana Etnea. The offices of the park are at Nicolosi to the south of the mountain, at an altitude of 700 metres.