A 35KM SEA TO SUMMIT ADVENTURE FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN SHORELINE TO THE SMOLDERING CROWN OF MT ETNA
This hand crafted route climbs an impressive 3,403 meters, taking you from sea level to the high, smoking slopes of Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano. It’s a rare opportunity to experience Sicily’s full range of landscapes in a single continuous ascent.
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Starting among citrus groves and traditional lava-stone villages, the route rises through vineyards and forests before entering Etna’s stark volcanic terrain. Higher up, ash-covered slopes, ancient lava flows, and expansive views across the island create a dramatic and ever-changing backdrop.
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As you climb, coastal panoramas stretch behind you while the summit grows closer, a powerful reminder of the living geology beneath your feet. Steam vents, craters, and wide open skies mark the final approach, offering a sense of scale and place that few routes can match.
This is more than a physical challenge. It’s a journey through Sicily’s landscapes, history, and natural forces, a memorable ascent from sea level to one of Europe’s most iconic volcanic summits.
DURATION:
3 DAYS /2 NIGHTS
SLEEP STYLE:
HOTEL TWIN ROOMS
LOCATION:
MT ETNA SICILY
DISTANCE:
35KM +3403M
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
ACCOMMODATION
2 nights accommodation included
GUIDES AND SUPPORT
Rat Race Expedition leader, high quality outdoor event crew, British medical and welfare support.
SAFETY
Professional local and UK safety staff and medics. Rat Race experts on hand throughout. Audited and accredited to BS8848 expedition safety standard.
TRANSFER POLICY
Transfer your entry to event credit up to 12 weeks before the departure date and protect your entry with optional Refund Protect.
EXTRAS
High quality medal, rat rag and premium souvenir t-shirt included.
AIRPORT TRANSFER
Includes one group airport transfer pick up from Catania–Fontanarossa Airport CTA at 2pm
RAISE £3000 AND GET UP TO £1500 REFUNDED
SET UP YOUR JUST GIVING PAGE HERE OR FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR CHARITY PARTNERSHIP HERE
DAY ONE: ARRIVAL & WELCOME​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
14:00 Group Pick-Up | Catania (CTA) Airport
Participants will be met at Catania–Fontanarossa Airport for a scheduled group transfer. Please ensure flights arrive in time for the 14:00 pick-up.
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Transfer to Local Accommodation
From the airport, the group will be driven to our local accommodation near Mount Etna. The journey offers your first views of Sicily’s dramatic landscapes, with Etna often visible in the distance.
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Check-In & Settle In
On arrival, guests will have time to check in, unpack, and refresh after travel.
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Event Briefing & Registration
A full event briefing will cover the adventure tomorrow, safety information, route overview, and logistics. Participants will complete registration and have the opportunity to ask questions.
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Group Evening Meal
The day concludes with an early group dinner to allow you to get to bed for the very early start in the morning....
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ACCOMODATION: Hotel
FOOD: Dinner Included
DAY TWO: YOUR SEA TO SUMMIT ADVENTURE ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Early Morning Departure
An early start sets the tone for an unforgettable day. We’ll depart in the early hours to reach the coastline for a truly unique 2:00am start-line experience on the beach, as the challenge begins under the stars.
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Sea-Level Start | Mediterranean Coast
The adventure begins at sea level, with the sound of the waves and the glow of headtorches marking the start of your sea-to-summit journey. From the shoreline, the route winds inland through citrus groves, quiet villages, and rolling countryside as the island slowly wakes around you.
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Into the Slopes of Mount Etna
As daylight arrives, the terrain shifts and the outline of Mount Etna grows ever larger. The route climbs steadily through vineyards, forested trails, and ancient lava flows, offering changing views and landscapes throughout the morning.
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Meet Local Guides & Summit Preparation
On the upper slopes, we’ll meet our certified local volcanic guides. Here, you’ll be equipped with any required safety gear and receive a final briefing before continuing the guided ascent toward Etna’s summit area.
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Guided Ascent to the Summit
Under expert guidance, the final section takes you into Etna’s high volcanic environment, with ash slopes, active craters, and wide-ranging views across Sicily and the Mediterranean.
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Evening Celebration Meal
After a day to remember, we’ll come together in the evening for a relaxed celebration meal, sharing stories, achievements, and a well-earned taste of Sicilian hospitality.
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ACCOMODATION: Hotel (twin rooms)
FOOD: Breakfast/Lunch/Evening Meal
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DAY THREE: TIME TO SAY CIAO
Breakfast will be available at the hotel and we will then do a morning group transfer to take those who want it back to the airport, although we hugely recommend extending your trip and exploring this stunning island.
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ACCOMODATION: N/A
FOOD: Breakfast at hotel.
ACCOMMODATION
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All accommodation is always offered on a shared basis. If you are taking part on your own, you will be paired with another participant of the same sex in a twin room. If you have preferences for who you share with you can indicate that on the pre-event forms we send you approx. 3 months before the departure date.
Single supplements may be available, to enquire about prices and availability please email events@ratrace.com
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MEALS​​​
Meals provided are outlined in the itinerary and all dietary requirements will be catered for. Evening meals will consist of one main meal and Pit Stop lunches will be a grab and go sandwich/wrap style offering. Pit Stops will be regular and these are places you can interact with the Rat Race crew and medics. You can refill your water and top up your snack stash with our goodies. We will always offer salty and sweet snacks and fruit as a minimum.
Kit List
This is our planned kit list for Mt Etna, additional items may be added but these will be communicated to you in our EEI document (3 months prior to the event).
Running/Trekking kit
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Ultra Running rucksack/hiking backpack or other appropriate method of carrying your kit. BUY HERE
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Satellite Tracker: given to you at the event briefing. This should be put in the lid/outer pocket of your rucksack. Remember this must be returned at the end of the event.
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Light trail Running Shoes: i.e. running shoes with some grip
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Hydration Bladder or Bottle(s) with a minimum of 2 litre capacity. BUY HERE
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Snacks – Min 1000kcal per day.
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Waterproof Jacket with TAPED or WELDED SEAMS as a minimum standard. BUY HERE
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Waterproof Trousers with TAPED or WELDED SEAMS as a minimum standard. BUY HERE (see photograph)
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Hat suitable to the conditions (a Rat Rag is OK). BUY HERE
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Gloves (lightweight running gloves are OK). BUY HERE
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Bivvi Bag (NOT a blanket): Essential for unplanned stops. BUY ONE HERE
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Basic First Aid Kit  containing at least:
– A conformable roller bandage.
– Assorted adhesive dressings.
– Separate sterile absorbent material
(e.g. gauze or gauze bandage) suitable for compressing bleeding wounds -
Whistle: Effective for getting attention in an emergency. BUY ONE HERE
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Fully charged mobile phone.
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Hand Sanitiser
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Reusable cup suitable for hot drinks. BUY ONE HERE
PAY IN INSTALMENTS
SIGN UP TODAY FROM
/ MONTH. DEPENDING ON DEPARTURE.
£99.96
INTEREST FREE!
TOTAL ENTRY COST
£1650
/ TOTAL PAYMENT
SIGN UP TODAY
All entries will are in GBP A booking fee of 2.99% will be added to all payments.
PAY MONTHLY INTEREST FREE!
ENTER NOW AND SPREAD THE COST INTEREST FREE WITH OUR INSTALMENT PLAN
We’ve created a flexible, interest-free* instalment plan so you can choose how many months to spread the cost of your adventure. Choose to pay in full or in equal monthly instalments up to 3 months before your event date.
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*Once you sign up, Rat Race will set up a recurring monthly payment via Stripe. If a payment fails, you’ll receive reminders from Stripe and our team. After three failed contact attempts and no payment, your entry will be cancelled with no refund or transfer eligibility.
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Please see here for full terms and conditions and our cancellation policy.
PROTECT YOUR NON-REFUNDABLE BOOKING WITH REFUND PROTECT
Add Refund Protect to your booking during purchase and receive a full refund of your entry fee if you are unable to attend the event due to a qualifying unforeseen circumstance. PLEASE NOTE this protection is with our 3rd party partner Refund Protect and NOT Rat Race. In the event you make a refund application this is administered by the Refund Protect customer service team, Rat Race are not privy to the application and cannot intervene on your behalf to influence the outcome determined by their team.
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To check the full list of qualifying unforeseen circumstances that are protected please click here to view Refund Protect terms and conditions.
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To add Refund Protect (administered by a 3rd party) to your Rat Race booking simply select this option when presented during the entry process. Refund Protect cannot be added retrospectively. Rat Race will then send you name and booking details to Refund Protect in order to protect your transaction with them. If you opt to pay in instalments and transfer your entry before the entry cost is full paid you will be liable to ensure the cost of Refund Protect has been fully covered. This total amount will be deducted from any Rat Race credit due through the transfer process or you will be invoiced by Rat Race for the outstanding amount as Rat Race have paid this on your behalf to Refund Protect at point of entry.
WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES
At Rat Race, we create extraordinary adventures for everyone people. We know we’re a premium brand and that those adventures are premium experiences. In our 20th year, we have decided that our commitment to investment in our standards, safety and quality of experience should be matched in our commitment to the transparency in showing how we spend your hard-earned cash in bringing these adventures to life.
So here it is. A pie chart of how we spend your money in bringing our events and trips to life.
RAISE AT LEAST £3000 (EXCLUDING GIFT AID) FOR CHILDREN WITH CANCER UK AND GET £1500 OF YOUR ENTRY FEE REFUNDED!
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Our longstanding partnership with Children with Cancer UK gives #ratracers the opportunity to raise much needed funds for this great cause in exchange for a refund of their entry fee. So far our #ratracers have raised over £2million for Children with Cancer UK and we would love for you to join the team to help us chase down that £3million target!
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The funds you raise will be invested into vital specialist research to improve survival rates in children and young people and help more of them ring the end of treatment bell.
All you need to do is set up a Just Giving page here and start your fundraising! You will have until 1 month after the event date to hit your target and then send us the link to your page which will allow us to process your refund. Refunds will be made 2 – 3 months after the event completion date.
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Refunds are not mandatory you are welcome to opt-out of receiving a refund. Should participants opt-out their refund will instead be used by Children with Cancer UK to help fund their research.
If you choose to support Children with Cancer UK and raise £3000, you will also receive:
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A Children with Cancer UK fundraising and training pack
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Regular Children with Cancer UK updates
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A dedicated point of contact at the charity
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A technical Children with Cancer UK t-shirt to wear with pride
For more information on Children with Cancer UK please visit www.childrenwithcancer.org.uk.
Alternatively please contact the Sports Team on 020 7430 7788 or email sports@childrenwithcancer.org.uk.
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Children with Cancer UK is a registered national charity (no. 298405)
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The nature of an adventure is that sometimes, the uncertain becomes certain! That is all part of the adventure. Whilst we will always strive to pull off ‘Plan A,’ it may well be that for any one of a number of reasons, we cannot do so and we ned to wheel put Plan B, C or D. We do line up contingencies for many eventualities of course. But it is worth knowing that the course may change if we deem it prudent for your safety or for other operational or weather-based reasons and we must always reserve the right to do so. Ultimately our skill and judgement in organising such events is part of why you are entering, so we must be able to exercise this on your behalf where we deem it necessary. If we do have to make a route change, we will strive to inform you in good time (if that is possible). Usually, these unforeseen changes simply add to the flavour of proceedings and provide for a good story to tell at day’s end!
Rat Race require you to be over 18 on the day of Registration for this adventure.
At Rat Race we are determined to get you on the start line even when life throws up its own obstacles! If you find yourself unable to join us on the start line of this event, you are able to transfer your entry into an event credit voucher once for use on a new entry into an event of your choice, whether that be the same event a year later or a completely new adventure! Transfers must be requested within the qualifying transfer window to be accepted and processed.
Credit vouchers are valid for 12 months from the date of issue. Credit voucher are exempt from the transfer process. To find out more information and how to submit a request, view of full transfer policy HERE 
Click ‘Enter Now’ and go through the sign-up process, you’ll then be issued with an event voucher which will automatically reserve you a place in the event you have chosen.
We’ve created a fantastic instalment plan that gives you complete flexibility over how you pay for your adventure. Whether you prefer to pay in full or spread the cost across multiple months, the choice is entirely yours and it's completely interest free.
There are no credit checks required to use this facility.
When you sign up for the instalment plan, Rat Race will set up a recurring payment. Your card will be automatically debited on the same date each month for the duration you’ve chosen.
If there’s an issue with your payment, you’ll receive reminders from both Stripe (our payment provider) and the Rat Race customer service team. After three unsuccessful attempts to contact you regarding an outstanding balance, we’ll assume you no longer wish to take part in the event. At that point, your entry will be withdrawn, you will not be eligible for our transfer process, and no refund will be issued.
In short, no. The event price covers everything outlined on our website, and it’s not possible for us to split out individual elements. Our accommodation is based on group rates and shared occupancy, and all event logistics have been carefully planned with all participants staying in the same locations. This allows us to run transfers, briefings, and support smoothly and helps you connect with your fellow #ratracers!
You're welcome to arrange your own accommodation if you prefer, but please note:
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This will not reduce your event fee.
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You will be responsible for getting yourself to all meeting points on time.
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We will not be able to transport you to or from your own accommodation.
Thanks for your understanding, it’s all part of keeping the adventure seamless for everyone involved!
GPX routes will be provided one week ahead of the event, or you can hire one of our GPX watches with the routes pre-loaded for the duration of the challenge. Don’t worry – you won’t get lost. But if you do – support is never far away.
Rat Race have been audited and accredited to the prestigious BS8848 expedition safety standard. We have firm emergency protocols and response systems in place whilst out on our adventures. Our main priority above all else is to keep you and our staff safe. Before we leave for each trip a comprehensive in-country risk and threat assessment has been conducted by the Head of Expeditions. All protocols are put in place relating to those assessments. We make sure that the staff involved have the highest level of first aid training; a higher level of medical cover is also put in place if needed; all instructors have qualifications and/ or competencies to match the adventure we will undertake. In the event of an emergency, Rat Race staff and appointed contractors have comprehensive knowledge of procedures which will rapidly be put in place. If needed, our staff will provide first aid and then further medical assistance and evacuation if needed in line with a published Medical Procedures Plan. We have medical back-up and Clinical Directorship provided by a specialist events medical company and we have further emergency response support services provided by competent contracted partner. All our cover is available 24/7 while operations are underway. We use our knowledge and emergency procedures to provide the best possible care in our often remote and austere environments. Before leaving on a trip, we will advise on the insurance cover you are required to have in place for the trip; we will ask for a copy of these insurance details before the departure date.
Yes. You need a decent travel policy covering you for general travel and which covers participation in outdoor sports. You will also need what is called an Evacuation Insurance Policy, which is for if we need to send you back to the closest city for urgent medical attention via a helicopter or similar. We also recommend you have this in place as soon as you enter this event and that if you book flights, we highly recommend booking a flexible option for any last-minute changes you might need to make or to ensure you have maximum flexibility if you cannot attend for any reason.
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Travel insurance is compulsory for our events, so please make sure your insurance policy covers the activities you will be participating in. There are a number of specialist providers available including Mann Broadbent.
Add Refund Protect to your booking during purchase and receive a full refund of your entry fee if you are unable to attend the event due to a qualifying unforeseen circumstance. PLEASE NOTE this protection is with our 3rd party partner Refund Protect and NOT Rat Race. In the event you make a refund application this is administered by the Refund Protect customer service team, Rat Race are not privy to the application and cannot intervene on your behalf to influence the outcome determined by their team.
To check the full list of qualifying unforeseen circumstances that are protected please click here to view Refund Protect terms and conditions.
Race entry includes a glorious finishers medal and bespoke event Rat Race tee. We will request your tshirt size and this will be the size you will be given at Registration.
Mount Etna is considered safe to visit providing you use authorised local guides and follow safety regulations on the mountain. We have a well established, certified local team who guide us on this event and we have successfully tested this route in 2025.
Once you’ve signed up, you will receive a confirmation email. After that, you will be kept in the loop closer to the event when we will send out our Essential Event Information approximately 12 weeks ahead of the event, detailing the full itinerary, what you need to bring and other important information relating to the specific event you have signed up for. We will also host webinars which you will be invited to (again, closer to the event), where you will have the opportunity to ask questions. There will be a final email one month ahead of the event, just to check you’ve completed all the important forms and are ready for the event ahead.
We’ve put together a fantastic new instalment plan that allows you to choose how many months you want to spread the cost of this brilliant adventure over. You can pay it off all in one go or spread it over as many months as you like, totally interest free. There is no credit check required to use this facility. When you sign up to the instalment plan Rat Race will then set up a reoccurring payment and your card will be debited on the same date each month. If there is an error with your payment you will receive reminders from Stripe, our payment provider, and also the Rat Race customer service team. After 3 attempts to contact you if the outstanding balance remains unpaid we will assume you wish to cancel your entry and will withdraw you from the event and you will not be eligible to enter our transfer process and no monies will be refunded.
