One of the highlights on our trip was hiking up the side of Mount Etna (3,403 m / 11,165 ft). In order to bypass the tourists, we decided against going to the top and instead hike up towards the top of the mountain. As always, there was a bit of smoke rising from the caldera, but nothing to worry about it. The stark contrast between the black and green was beautiful. I walked into a small lava cave and before we turned and headed back to the car, we lay in on the dark lava, and warmed our backs.
It looks like something from another planet, the contrast of the green and black is beautiful. But the cave looked very spooky. Great photography.
The hiking looks rugged but the vistas must have grand! Love the way you research ways around the crowd.
I really like the different views of the side of the volcano and the surrounding area.