For almost 120 years, the "Circumetnea” narrow-gauge railway has been circling Europe’s highest volcano. The train travels through impressive lava landscapes and vegetation zones, as well as two nature parks, with the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mount Etna always in view. At the foot of Mount Etna, amidst black rocks and prickly pears, the narrow-gauge railway winds its way through rocky wastelands, wooded areas and lush green hills. Lava eruptions have meant the railway line has had to be rebuilt many times over the years, most recently in 1981. Mount Etna, standing at 3,352 meters, is Europe’s most active volcano. Most eruptions affect mainly the immediate vicinity of the crater; they rarely pose a threat to people or animals. However, violent eruptions do occur from time to time. Then, volcano spews clouds of ash and chunks of rock kilometers into the atmosphere, and lava flows make their way down into the valley.