Where it is and how to get there
The Grotta del Gelo is located on the northern slope of Etna, at an altitude of approximately 2,030 metres, under the famous Sciara del Follone, a spectacular lava formation unique in the world. To reach it, the simplest route starts from Rifugio Ragabo, located in the municipality of Linguaglossa. From here, you follow the famous Altomontana track for about 10 km to the Grotta dei Lamponi, an unmissable stop as it is one of the longest lava caves in the area.
After this first flat stretch, the walk becomes more challenging: a long climb of about 5 km on compact lava, marked by stone “men” and sticks. The path offers breathtaking views, crossing lava fields and the suggestive Monte dei Morti.
Excursion details:
The Sciara del Follone and the Dammusi lava
The Grotta del Gelo is located under the Sciara del Follone, formed during an eruption of Etna between 1614 and 1624, which lasted about 10 years. This geological event covered 21 km² of territory, depositing 1,000 million cubic meters of lava. A peculiarity of this eruption are the pahoehoe-type lavas, which created a stable, compact surface layer without the roughness typical of volcanic flows.
The name “dammuso”, of Arabic origin, refers to this particular structure, similar to a ceiling or a natural covering.
What is the Frost Cave
The Grotta del Gelo is a lava cavity approximately 125 meters long, formed during the same eruption. Thanks to natural ventilation, the internal temperature always remains below zero, allowing the formation and conservation of perennial ice. Ice stalactites and stalagmites have been continuously renewed for over 300 years, making this cave a unique phenomenon in the world.
In March 1981, an eruption threatened to destroy the cave, starting a few meters from its entrance. Although the cave survived, the event altered its internal ventilation, progressively reducing the ice mass.
In addition to the risks associated with volcanic activity, the Grotta del Gelo is threatened by climate change. Scientists have observed a progressive decrease in the thickness of the ice, raising the urgency of protecting this delicate natural balance.
What to see inside the Grotta del Gelo
Inside the Frost Cave, a surprising world opens up, sculpted by time and frost, which holds one-of-a-kind wonders. The walls of the cave are adorned with spectacular stalactites and stalagmites, fascinating formations born from the slow dripping and freezing of water which, over the centuries, have created a natural landscape of extraordinary beauty. In some places, the ground transforms into small lakes of perennial ice, with a crystalline appearance, formed by water that penetrates through cracks in the rocks and freezes due to temperatures constantly below zero.
Despite the extreme conditions, the Grotta del Gelo is also home to particular life: a microfauna made up of insects and arachnids that have adapted to living in this extreme environment, and mosses that cling to the rocky surfaces. This unique microcosm makes the cave not only a place of geological interest, but also a natural laboratory to study how life manages to thrive in such hostile environments.
A new frost cave discovered
It almost seems to me that I am doing the Grotta del Gelo a great disservice with what I am about to communicate. Of this enchanting place…
Posted by Dario Teri on Wednesday, June 16, 2021
In June 2021, two speleologists, Dario and Paolo Teri, discovered a new cave on Etna, called “North Pole Cave”. This cavity is located at a more southern latitude and at an altitude 20 meters lower than the Grotta del Gelo, containing a significant glacial mass with ice thicknesses exceeding 3 meters. This discovery could redefine the record of the southernmost glacier in Europe.
The Grotta del Gelo is accessible via hiking routes that cross Etna’s rugged landscape, but the glacier is threatened by climate change, with a progressive reduction in ice thickness observed in recent decades. Volcanic activity also represents a potential threat, as eruptions could alter the cave’s internal microclimate.
The discovery of the North Pole Cave highlights the importance of continuing speleological explorations on Etna, as further cavities with unique characteristics could emerge. These natural phenomena offer valuable opportunities for scientific research and understanding the interactions between volcanism, ice and climate change.
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