dossier
Amalfi Coast Walk - Self-Guided
Travel Information
Travel: Nearest airport: Naples.
Arrival: There isa regular bus service or taxis from the airport to Naples Central Railwaystation from where you take the train to Salerno ,approximately 30 minutes/1hour. From there a ferry is taken up the coast for 30 minutes to Amalfi or aregular bus service that runs along the beautiful coast taking approx 1 hour.The hotel is close to the ferry point and the bus stop.
End of Tour: 50minute bus journey to Sorrento followed by 1 hour train journey back to Naples.This journey can be broken to visit Pompeii, which is ‘en route’.
Season: Any dateJanuary – December. Mid July and the whole of August is just too hot, and toobusy, so only book this period if you have no other choice.
Level of Difficulty
Grade: Easy to Moderate
This tour is suitable for those who have had some experience of walking and arein good general physical condition. Most of the walks are downhill, but somewalking uphill cannot be avoided! Thetimes given in this itinerary do not include lunch stops and are literally thewalking time expected. Please note that you can expect to walk in hightemperatures in June, July and September.
Waymarking: Only a very small part of the route iswaymarked: elsewhere it is necessary to follow the route descriptions providedtogether with the maps.
Accommodation &Meals
Accommodation is on a bed and breakfast basis in 3 star hotels orfamily-run pensions (when hotels are not available) and all rooms have en suitefacilities. You will be free toorganize your evening meal from the wide choice of restaurants in the area. Nopicnic lunches are included in the tour, but these can be prepared for you on request,for an extra charge, at your overnight accommodation or materials for picnicscan be purchased in the villages where you stay.
Nights 1, 2 &3: These are spent at Amalfi, theancient capital of the Amalfi Coast, in a welcoming and comfortable 3 starhotel, centrally located, within easy walking distance of all the main monumentsof the medieval town centre, and close to the bus and boat services.
Night 4 & 5: We stay in the littletown of Praiano, on the coast, which has a few nice little beaches. For thosewho want to relax a day longer, this is a great spot. We use severalaccommodations here, but our usual one has great sea views above the oldcoastal watchtower and Marina.
Nights 6 & 7: Your last two nightsare spent in the lively village of Positano, with its characteristic housesclinging to the edge of the mountains. Positano’s charming little streets are amust.
Optional Extension: Nights 8, 9 & 10: If you book the extended tour, the lastthree nights are spent in a 3 * Hotel in Sorrento.
Books
A really good guide on the walks on the Amalfi Coast is written byJulian Tippett, and printed by Sunflower books. We can recommend the LonelyPlanet Guide to “Walking in Italy,” which has a section on Amalfi coastalthough not exactly following all the routes that we do. Nevertheless this hasgood introductory texts on walking in Italy per se. The Rough Guide seriesproduce similar books.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Amalfi. Short visit to the town center and maybe a swim towash off the tiredness of the journey. Visit St. Andrew’s Cathedral, whichclaims to also be his resting place, and the interesting Arabesquecloister.
Day 2: The first part of the walk todaytakes us into the “Valle dei Mulini”, the valley of the watermills, with itsruins of Europe’s most ancient paper fabrics, dating back to the 11thcentury. The path then takes us up to the little village of Pontone and theTorre dello Zirro. which is a marvelous picnic area, with spectacular views ofAmalfi to one side and the Atrani to the other side. From here it’s about anhour’s walk to Ravello, another highlight of the Amalfi Coast. Then along theDragone valley we walk down to Amalfi, passing through the beautiful town ofAtrani, with the chance to look around the narrow white little streets of thetown centre. The last short stretch to Amalfi is very scenic and has beautifulviewpoints of the city centre.
Distance: 7.5km/4.5mi approx 4-5 hours walking.
Day 3: Short transfer by bus to Scala (oroptional strenuous – very steep walk). From Scala we walk into the Valle delleFerriere, one of southern Italy’s most beautiful nature reserves. We see somespectacular scenery, walking over comfortable footpaths underneath the toweringcliffs, and passing close to some little waterfalls. The path then graduallydescends through the forest towards the little village of Pogerola. From here abeautiful medieval mule track curves down to Amalfi, amidst lemon groves andmarquis.
Distance: 10km approx 5 hours walking. Ascent: 300 m / Descent:550 m approx.
Day 4: From Amalfiwe start walking along one of the oldest streets of the area the “Maestra deivillaggi”, or highway of the villages, an old paved mule track dating back tothe 9th century. We pass the little villages of Lone and Vettica,before arriving at the imposing monastery of Santa Rosa (there is also thepossibility to take a bus to here to avoid the rest of the walk). The routedescends to the coast again passing some charming churches beautifully locatedabove the rocky shore. We then descend steeply to the spectacular fjord ofFurore and then ascend above this natural inlet. From here we walk past thechurch of Sant’Elia into the Valley of Praia, and then into the coastal townPraiano, with an optional descent to the very picturesque inlet of Marina diPraia, the old little harbor of Praiano. Praiano is spread out over about 3 kmwith upper and lower parts.
Distance 10 km – 5 hours or 13km – 5.5 hours walking, dependingon where you are staying in the town. Ascent / Descent: Approx: 820 meters.
Day 5: We walkfrom our hotel through the streets of Praiano uphill towards the little churchof Santa Maria di Costantinopoli. From here on an easy path above the village ,we walk into the Valley of Praia, a beautiful green valley with many vineyardsclinging to the cliffs. We then climb up to the little church of Sant’Alfonsoand from here to the caves of Santa Barbara; another short section uphillbrings us to the beginning of the famous “Sentiero degli Dei” (Footpath of theGods”), a walk with unrivalled views. After a very panoramic stretchoverlooking the island of Capri, we start the descent to Praiano, passing overcenturies old steps. A descent to the little inlet of“Cavitella” is highlyrecommended for those that still have the energy.
Distance: 11km – 5 hours walking. Ascent / Descent: 660m approx.
Day 6: Along anold pilgrims’ path, with all the Stations of the Cross, we walk uphill towardsthe monastery of San Domenico, set in stupendous scenery, dominating the coastfrom its hilltop. Here we can take a littlerest before going uphill for another stretch, through spectacularscenery with bizarre rock formations and luxurious vegetation, We then followthe last stretch of the “Footpath of Gods”, which really lives up to its name,through unique scenery to the hamlet of Nocelle. Passing another attractivevalley we arrive in the little village of Montepertuso. After Montepertuso it’sonly a short walk down to Positano itself, one of the most charming villages ofthe coast.
9km approx 4.5 hourswalking Ascent / descents: 645m approx
Day 7: We take the local bus up to Montepertuso, where we start the walkall around the valley of Positano. Following ancient footpaths through theforest and along marvelous viewpoints we climb towards Santa Maria al Castello,the old fortress defending the narrow valley between the Amalfi and Sorrentineside of the peninsula. From here we oversee both of the Gulf of Salerno and theGulf of Naples. Through a nice wooded area in a park like landscape we thentake an easy trail to the Caserna Forestale, the foresters’ house. For thosewho want there is the possibility to climb up from here to the Monte San’t Angelo,the highest mountain of the peninsula, a very demanding but rewarding ascent.The standard walk continues through the forest and with a number of zigzagsdescends down to Montepertuso. Along another medieval mule track we thendescend down to Positano.
Distance:11km – 4.5 hours walking. Ascent / descent: 450 m.
Day 8: AfterBreakfast, return to Naples by bus and train.
Sorrento Extension
Day 8: Positano – Sorrento. Today you first travel to Sorrento, fromwhere you can take the local train to Pompeii, for a whole day’s visit without yourluggage in tow. This is the world’smost intriguing Roman excavation. A full visit will take at least half a day.In the afternoon take some time as well to visit the historical town center ofthe ‘new’ village of Pompeii, with its famous cathedral, which is one ofsouthern Italy’s most important pilgrims’ destinations before returning toSorrento, to stroll through its charming little streets with fabulous views of theBay of Naples. Accommodation: Hotel ‘Capri’ or ‘Del Corso’ – Sorrento.
Or:
First travel toSorrento, from where you can go on short walk and do some relaxing on theseashore. This walk today takes you to the Roman villa of Pollio, beautifully locatedabove a small natural inlet, with wonderful views over the Bay of Naples. TheVilla has a natural spring, know as the baths of Queen Margherita, an idealplace for a swim. Accommodation: Hotel ‘Capri’ or ‘Del Corso’ – Sorrento.
Day 9: Termini - Punta Campanella – Termini Totaltime: 2 h 20 min. + 20 + 1 h 20 min. (Nerano - Ieranto and back 80 min.) Nerano- S. Costanzo 40 min. S. Costanzo - Punta Campanella 40 min. Punta Campanella -Termini 50 min. Termini - Nerano 10 min. By local bus you go from Sorrento toTermini, the last village of the peninsula. From here you walk up to the smallchapel of San Costanzo, and then take a beautiful path running along theimpressive cliffs of the ‘Finis Terrae’ (the end) of the Amalfi peninsula. Insome parts the path is a bit demanding, but never tough. The return, betweenPunta walk is on a more comfortable path, which can be to get to PuntaCampanella, walking the same path forwards and backwards. A little extensioncan be planned from the charming village of Nerano to the Bay of Ieranto, oneof the most beautiful and unspoiled bays of the area, where you could have aswim.
Things to be seen during the walk:
Punta Campanella: isonly 5 Km from Capri. Here was the greek Temple of Athena (Athenaion) laterdedicated to Minerva. The few remaining visble ruins belonged to a Roman villaof the I-II century. A few meters downhill is the Minerva tower, built in 1334 andrestored in 1567.
Monte San Costanzo: Is also possible extensionfrom Nerano. It is the highest hill in the area and has two peaks. On the topof the eastern one, the small white chapel of San Costanzo stands out. Fromthere you can enjoy great views over both Gulfs (Salerno and Naples) and theMonti Lattari.
Baia di Ieranto: It represents the central areaof the Natural Marine Reserve. Very interesting flora; the area is owned by aprivate trust (F.A.I.) but the access is free.
Walking details: Totaltime: 2 h 20 min. + 20 + 1 h 20 min. (Nerano - Ieranto and back 80 min.) Nerano- S. Costanzo 40 min. S. Costanzo - Punta Campanella 40 min. Punta Campanella -Termini 50 min. Termini - Nerano 10 min.
Accommodation: Hotel ‘Capri’ or ‘Del Corso’ –Sorrento.
Day 10: By boat you go to Capri, an islandfamous since Roman times for its beautiful nature and healthy climate. You make a beautiful roundwalk, which ofcourse brings you to some famous spots as the ‘Piazzetta’, where theinternational jet-set gathers, the three rocky islands of the Faragliani andthe narrow streets of the village center.
But the walk takes you also along the Villa of the EmperorTiberius, the natural arch and some grottos, and the Monastery of San Giacomo,to end in the gardens of Augustus, with some time left to relax or do someshopping. A day which really let youfeel the charm of the island, without getting trapped in the mass tourism. By boat you return to Sorrento or Marina delCantone, from where you go back to your hotel.
Distance: 10km/6mi –4 hours walking.
Day 11: After breakfast, return to Naples by busand train. Depart Naples.
Escorteddepartures 2008
Sun May 4 - Sun May 11 (8 day)
Sun Sep 28 - Sun Oct 5 (8 day)
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