Help - FAQEtnatracking is a non-profit web site, focused on helping people who want to explore on their own the highest active volcano in Europe. In this page you can find some tips to use the site to the best of its potential; we also tried to answer some questions users asked us:
- How can I use the site?
- How can I upload the track on my Garmin GPS?
- How can I use the KML files?
- Why should I register on the site?
- I don't want to register on the site. How can I keep myself up-to-date about new tracks?
- Can I send tracks to the site?
- Can I send pictures related to published trails?
- If there is incorrect information on the site, can I tell you about that?
- What do you mean by "Technical Equipment"?
1. How can I use the site? There are 4 pages for each trail: Map, Description, Pictures, Download
Map: you can reach it just clicking on the trail name on the Home Page, or selecting the item "map" on the trail menu. You can also click on the "Show map on GMaps!" buttons.
The main item on the page is the map. Here you can find all the points of interest. Moreover, you can:
- Surf the site using the left-top menu
- Read about the trail features on the right (difference in height, points of interest, suggested season and so on)
- Read the legend
- Find the starting point reachable by car, using the green flag on the map and the Google Maps feature "road indications".
Below the legend there is the altimetric chart, which tells you quickly about distance and difference in height on the trail. On some easier paths you will not find this chart
Description: this section contains the description of the path, focusing on the point of interest and the forks on the trail:
- Blu links: points of interest. Click on them to see the picture on the right.
- Right section: click on the picture to enlarge it. Click on the "Show map on GMaps!" button to go on the map and use the button "Show picture gallery" in order to reach the picture gallery
Picture: the classic picture gallery. Use the buttons to scroll pictures and click on them to enlarge:
Download: this is the area reserved to registered users. You can download the following items:
-GPX files, which can be used with Garmin GPS;
-KML files, compatible with Google tracking standards. For instance, you can use it on Google Earth;
-Pictures, for the trails where it was not possible to show all the pictures on the trail description
You can reach this page using the top-left menu (item "download") or using the "Get GPX and KML tracks!" button on the map page, placed on the right below the trail features:
The menu item "download" is visible ONLY TO REGISTERED USERS . Registration is free and allows you to receive news about the trails. You will never receive spam or advertisements from us.
Go on top2. How can I upload the track on my Garmin GPS? Upload GPX files on your Garmin GPS is really simple to do, just follow these steps:
- Download and install the program MapSource from the Garmin site
- Open GPS files with MapSource (File->Open)
- Connect your GPS to the computer
- Send the track to the GPS (Transfer->Send to device...)
The track will be uploaded on your GPS, so you will know in every moment if you are walking on the path or not
Go on top3. How can I use the KML files? You can use KML files in many ways:
- Open them with Google Earth, to look at the path surroundings, the streets leading to the trails and the pictures uploaded by other Google users with Panoramio. You could also use the coordinates shown on Google Earth to upload your pictures
- Import them into compatible navigation systems, so that you can use them as a guide (like Garmin with GPX)
4. Why should I register to the site? You have to register on EtnaTracking if you want to download the GPX and KML tracks and to download the pictures of the most beautiful paths. Besides, you will have subscribed to the newsletter so you will be up-to-date about the new paths on the site. You will never receive any spam or advertisements from us.
Go on top5. I don't want to register to the site. How can I keep myself up to date about new tracks? If you don't want to register, you can subscribe to the RSS feed, clicking on the RSS 2.0 button, placed on every page below the left menu. In this way, if you have an RSS reader, you will keep yourself up to date about the news on the sites. By the way, we suggest that everybody registers to get the best value from EtnaTracking.
Go on top6. Can I send tracks to the site? Of course you can. Send us tracks related to Etna and other places. You can send the GPX file created by Garmin navigators, or files created by Nokia Sport Tracker, a free software you can install on many Nokia devices. If you own different types of files, send them as well, and we'll try to convert and publish them.
Go on top7. Can I send pictures related to the published trails? Of course you can. Etna has many different faces, one for each season. Sometimes it is also possible to go by night and see its wonderful eruptions! We cannot walk and track every path on every season, so many trails we went through during the summer will look very different during the winter and vice versa. Send us every picture that can help us to describe Etna and we will write on the site about the authors.
Go on top8. If there is incorrect information on the site, can I tell you about that? Tell us as soon as possible, writing to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , and we will update the site.
9. What do you mean by "Technical Equipment"? First of all, trekking shoes. Even on the easiest trail it is possible to find sections covered by sharp lava rocks or slippery basalt rocks, irregular paths where it could be easy to sprain an ankle.
We suggest you wear multiple layers of light warm clothing, possibly made of waterproof materials. Typically, these are sport-specific clothes (i.e. Goretex). You should strictly avoid cotton elements, if you don't have waterproof clothes try to use wool t-shirts and sweaters. Remember also to bring a wind-breaker with you.
The best trousers are the kind you can shorten (two sections joined with a zip), so that you can use them short or long according to the temperature.
Bring a pocket torch with you if you are planning to visit a cave.