From Nicolosi, the route goes straight into the longest climb of the tour. The road rises on Etna’s southern side, first through inhabited areas, then into more open terrain with lava fields, dark rock and bare slopes. The high point sits at around 1,900 metres; this is the stage’s most remote section and the part most clearly shaped by the volcano. After that, a long descent begins toward the east. Above the Zafferana area, the landscape becomes greener again, towns sit closer together and the road loses elevation quickly. Through the southeastern Etna communities, the route continues down toward Catania. The finish shows the full contrast of the day: volcanic road and thinner air in the morning, city traffic, sea level and the return to the dense plain by the Ionian Sea in the afternoon.
