Overview
On this demanding but rewarding trek above the Amalfi Coast, Positano and Sorrento, you will discover the unspoiled beauty of the Lattari Mountains. The Alta Via is a must for the avid hiker – you will walk through real mountain scenery, past unique sheer drops, through chestnut forests and beautiful countryside with terraced lemon groves and vineyards.
Walking in this area lets you enjoy some of the most splendid views on the Amalfi Coast and the Bay of Naples, while immersed in an almost alpine landscape. You will surely enjoy the rural scenery as well, which makes you feel like you’re far away from the glamour of the fashionable places along the coast.
If you have more time, you may consider our even more demanding full 9-day trek from Cava dei Tireni.
- Amalfi Coast
- Alta Via
- Lattari Mountains and Monte Faito
- Sentiero degli Dei (Footpath of the Gods)
- Maestra dei Villagi
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival Monte Sant’ Angelo
By local train, you travel to Castellammare di Stabia (easily reachable from Naples), from where you board the amazing ‘Funivia’ to the ridge of Mount Faito, one of the world’s most spectacular cable car rides. Here you settle in your welcoming mountain hotel in the area known as ‘Belvedere’, offering stunning views to the Bay of Naples. If you arrive early, you can go for a nice walk, and perhaps enjoy the sunset behind the island of Capri.
- Accommodation: 3-star Sant’ Angelo Hotel or similar – Monte Faito (Vico Equense)
Optional Extra Day: Explore Mount Faito
From your hotel, you have several options to explore the area of Mount Faito, an extensive forested high plain dominating the Bay of Naples. You’ll walk through old beech forests, mountain meadows and barren limestone rocks and enjoy stunning views. Also, you have the option to make the ascent of the Monte San Michele today, making tomorrow’s walk slightly less challenging.
- Accommodation: 3-star Sant’ Angelo Hotel – Monte Faito (Vico Equense)
Day 2: Santa Maria al Castello | 12km
From the plain of Monte Faito, you walk to the mountains above Positano today. There are several options to do this: you can, of course, follow the ‘Alta Via’, but you can also opt to take in a section of the famous ‘Sentiero degli Dei’ (‘Footpath of the Gods’), with equally beautiful views. The ‘Alta Via’ today brings you onto the highest mountain of the area. You start with a gentle walk through the beech forests and climb up towards the highest peak of the area, Mt. San Michele (1,444m above sea level – at only a mile from the seashore). After spending some time enjoying the best view that one could take in the Amalfi Coast (and perhaps have lunch here), you continue in a western direction, along one of the most scenic paths of the area, with views ranging from the Cilento National Park, Capri and the Bay of Naples. Then you descend into a lovely wooded area, a park-like landscape with cypresses and olive groves. An easy last stretch brings you to your agriturismo in Santa Maria al Castello, the old fortress defending the narrow valley between the Amalfi and Sorrento sides of the peninsula. From here, you can admire both the Gulf of Salerno and the Bay of Naples. You should make the short walk to one of the most stunning viewpoints in the area: with Positano literally at your feet. Dinner is on the premises of the agriturismo, based on homegrown specialities again.
- Walking for the day: 12km, 5, ↑500m ↓850m
- Accommodation: Agriturismo (La Ginestra or similar) – Santa Maria al Castello (Vico Equense)
Optional Extra Day: Walk to Positano | 9km
Your agriturismo in Santa Maria al Castello is literally 1 mile away from Positano. You can walk down to this stunning little town along a spectacular route through the mountains above Positano, with the possibility to walk all the way down to the centre of the village and the beach. Following ancient footpaths through the forest and past marvellous viewpoints, you first walk from Santa Maria al Castello down to the Caserma Forestale (the forestry service hut). The walk then continues through a lovely wooded area in a park-like landscape down to Montepertuso. Along another medieval mule track, you can then continue down to Positano itself. For the return, you have several options: to make it easy, you can first you take the local bus up to Montepertuso, where you start a very scenic walk around the upper valley. Along a historical flight of stone hewn steps, you walk back up to Santa Maria al Castello.
- Walking for the day: 9km, 4h, ↑750m ↓750m
- Accommodation: agriturismo (La Ginestra or similar) – Santa Maria al Castello (Vico Equense)
Day 3: Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi | 15km
Today your trail starts again directly from the door of your agriturismo. A first easy stretch, along the edge of the plateau, overlooking Positano, brings you to some of the most beautiful pastures in the area, green and covered with wild orchids, the plateau of Monte Comune di Fontanelle. Then you continue to the ‘beacon’ of Monte Vico Alvano, after which a long descent brings you to Colli di San Pietro and Colli di Fontanelle. From here, you take a narrow path along the southern side of the ridge, fully immersed in the Mediterranean colours and the herbs’ lovely smells. The trail runs parallel to the seashore with spectacular views over the ‘Islands of the Sirens’. Then the path descends quite steeply and continues through olive groves towards the little hamlets of Monticelli and Torca. From here, you walk up along well-maintained paths to your lovely agriturismo in the middle of the orchards, where you will have a pleasant dinner made from local organic produce.
- Walking for the day: 15km, 6h, ↑300m ↓450m
- Accommodation: agriturismo in Sant’Agata (Le Tore or similar)
Day 4: Punta Campanella Circular Walk | 14km
Today you’ll make a circular walk over the ridge dividing the Bay of Naples from the Gulf of Salerno, discovering the very different landscapes and some charming small hamlets. Through pine woods, olive groves and orchards you walk down to the picturesque inlet of Marina di Crapolla (where Saint Peter is alleged to have disembarked on his way to Rome) where you are free to swim. Then continue along well-maintained paths to the charming little seashore village of Marina del Cantone, on the south side of the Sorrento Peninsula. The landscape is spectacular, you walk in the beautiful scenery, dominated by dry-stone walls and olive groves, all the time overlooking the sea. A spectacular path, running along the impressive cliffs then brings you to the tip of the peninsula, where, according to legend, Ulysses erected a temple in honour of Athena. In some parts, the path can be a bit demanding, though never too challenging. The return, between Punta Campanella and Termini, is on an easy trail, the old Roman Via Minerva, with great views of Capri and many medieval watchtowers, which once protected the coast. From Termini you then take the local bus back to Sant’ Agata sui Due Golfi, to have another night in your agriturismo.
- Walking for the day: 14km, 6h, ↑800m ↓950m
- Accommodation: agriturismo in Sant’Agata (Le Tore or similar)
Day 5: Departure or Onward Travel
After breakfast, you can easily return by boat or by bus and train to Naples, and then by shuttle bus to the airport. An extra night in a Naples hotel can be booked upon request.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation is in a simple but comfortable 3-star hotel and agriturismi** as indicated in the itinerary. All rooms are private and with ensuite facilities. We have carefully hand-picked all places and regularly monitor their quality. We have tried to choose accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.
- Night 1: The first night you’ll stay in a nice, comfortable hotel on Mt. Faito, near the stunning ‘Belvedere’, from where you overlook the whole Bay of Naples.
- Night 2: This night you’ll stay at a lovely agriturismo, this time in the hamlet of Santa Maria al Castello, overlooking the bay of Naples, Positano and the whole Amalfi Coast.
- Nights 3 and 4: The final two nights you spend near the small village of Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi, on the high plain dominating the Bay of Naples, the Gulf of Salerno and the Amalfi Coast, in a beautiful agriturismo.
Click to view default hotels
- Sant’ Angelo (Monte Faito)
- Le Tore (Santa Maria al Castello)
- La Ginestra (Sant’Agata)
*Hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
**What is an agriturismo? A combination of the words for “agriculture” and “tourism” in Italian — It is a farm-stay, but it’s also much, much more. Typically, an agriturismo is an independently-owned farm that the owners have decided to use partially for accommodation purposes in a way similar to English or American bed and breakfasts. One of the best parts of staying in a traditional agriturismo? The food. An Italian agriturismo will usually serve guests food that was prepared from raw materials – vegetables, fruit, eggs, meat, and often wine and olive oil – produced on the farm or from other local merchants.
Meals
Breakfasts and dinners are included. No picnic lunches are included in the tour price but these can be prepared for you by the accommodation owners, or products for picnics can be purchased in the villages where you’ll be staying. On some occasions, you have the option of having your lunch in a restaurant along the way.
Difficulty and terrain
This is a rather demanding trek which is suitable for those who have experience of hiking in the mountains, good general physical condition and ability to read maps and GPS tracks. There are some sheer drops and steep sections, both uphill and downhill, sometimes on paths with rough surfaces. Also mind that along the Amalfi Coast there are sections involving long and steep series of stone steps (stairs); climbing them can be quite tiresome, especially in hot weather. Good level of fitness is necessary. You should be able to walk for up to 6 hours a day – partly in the hot sun on dusty or stony, sometimes steep, tracks (read more about difficulty grades). Most of the walks are on good paths, some of them recently restored by the local authorities. Parts of the trails are waymarked. Elsewhere you have to follow the route notes. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available from the beginning of April until the end of October – you can start on any day of the week; the period of 1 – 18 August 2023 is sold out. Late spring, the whole summer and early autumn are beautiful on the Amalfi coast. It may become scorching in July and August, and some of the resort towns may become overcrowded in these months, although the trails along the mountain slopes above the coast are far from the tourist crush. The best time to see the Amalfi Coast is from April to June when the spring flowers are in bloom, the weather is just warm enough, and the Mediterranean temperature allows for the first dips of the season. September and October are also an excellent time to visit the Amalfi Coast, while the temperatures are still mild.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended arrival airport for this holiday is Naples. Other Italian airports are also well-connected to the area.
By train or bus
By local train from Naples, you travel to Castellammare di Stabia, from where you travel up with the cable car ‘Funivia’ to the ridge of Mount Faito. Visit the Italia Rail website for up-to-date timetables and fares, or use the Omio planner above.
The tour ends after breakfast in Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi on Day 5. A frequent bus service can bring you to Sorrento, where you travel on to your next destination (Naples or Rome can both be easily reached by high-speed train). Taxi services are available to bring you directly to your next destination.
Inclusions
Included
- Detailed holiday information pack, including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions, road notes and maps (1:25,000) – all delivered on the spot (1 set per room)
- 4 breakfasts and 4 dinners
- 4 nights in private ensuite rooms as per itinerary
- Luggage transfers on days 2 and 3 – 1 piece per person up to 20kg (65 x 50 x 40cm). The driver may refuse to take your luggage if heavier, larger and more than one piece. It is NOT allowed to tie any bag or other object to the luggage!
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative in Salerno
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist tax and entrance fees (payable on the spot)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
Options, extras and supplements
- Supplement applies to members of a group who require a single room / single use of a double room
- This holiday is NOT available for solo travellers
- Private airport transfers
- Optional extra day after Day 1 – Explore Monte Faito, including one extra night in Sant’ Angelo Hotel
- Optional extra day after Day 2 – Walk to Positano, including one extra night in Santa Maria al Castello
- Luggage transfers opt-out: please note that luggage transfers are relatively costly here as while on foot the distance from village to village is very short, by car one has to drive a long way around. So if you wish, you can opt-out of the luggage transfer service and get a price reduction.
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