Parco Ciclistico Etna

Ragalna - Piano Vetore

Side Giro d'Italia

Sloping and irregular side, it is the most covered climb of vegetation of the whole volcano.

It starts from the south-west side, from the village of Ragalna (but to get there from the Piana di Catania, it still has to sweat and climb at least 10 kilometers) and climbs in 14 kilometers to the square of Piano Vetore, where the SKI School of Nicolosi is located and above all the arrival of the stage of the Giro d'Italia 2018.

The average slope deceives: 7.5%. In truth this is the most irregular side of all, where continuous ups and downs are interspersed with very steep sections.

Of the total difference in height of 808 meters, in fact, there are also two sections, short because less than 500 meters, of plain-descent: the first one at kilometer 6,6 the second at kilometer 8.5. Short refreshment, like the quiet before the storm, because then at an altitude of 1,350 when you pass the gate of the district Milia is waiting for a wall of 20% of about 1000 meters that will hold on to the handlebars with great firmness.

Leaving the district Milia you go inside a fragrant coniferous forest, between the southern slopes this is the favorite in the hot summers because when you leave the vegetation, you are already at an altitude of 1,800 meters at the Ariel Refuge and from that point in then the heat will never bother you.

But above all, the arrival awaits you after a wide curve to the left and there, emerging from the trees, you will open the majestic scenery of the volcano that rises majestically above the lawn of Piano Vetore.