Overview
Take the best walks on Italy’s beautiful Amalfi Coast, while staying in comfortable 3-star hotels. Our Amalfi Coast short walking break takes in four days of walking, and you will be based for two nights in Amalfi and two nights in Positano. The Amalfi Coast offers a stunning combination of sea, picturesque coastal towns and mountains, an abundance of both culture and nature. The landscape is varied and offers ever-changing views. It can be typically Mediterranean, intoxicating with its wild perfumed herbs, with myrtle shrubs, thyme, rosemary and mastic trees, or almost alpine with meadows and bare rocks.
- Amalfi
- Ravello
- Bomerano
- Positano
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival Amalfi
Take a bus or book a private transfer and reach your hotel. The first three nights are spent in Amalfi, the Amalfi Coast’s ancient capital, either in a welcoming and comfortable 3-star hotel, centrally located at walking distance from the seashore and all main monuments of the medieval town centre. Amalfi is connected with Salerno by a frequent bus (and boat) service and Naples by a less frequent bus service. In summer, there are direct boats from Naples. A taxi pick-up service can be arranged either from Naples (airport or train station) or from Pompeii or Castellammare di Stabia, which can be easily reached from Naples, with the local Circumvesuviana train.
- Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Amalfi (Hotel Floridiana, Hotel Lidomare or similar)
Day 2: Amalfi Circular Walk: Valle dei Mulini | 10km
Today you make a first easy walk, which gives you immediately a good idea of the amazing cultural and natural heritage of the Amalfi Coast. First, you walk into the quiet little back alleys of Amalfi. An ancient staircase takes you up underneath the impressive limestone cliffs towards the little village of Pontone, part of the medieval defence system of the city of Amalfi. The main point of interest is the marvellous Torre dello Zirro, located on a narrow ridge, in a park-like landscape, with unforgettable views of Amalfi to the one and Atrani to the other side. This area also offers many marvellous picnic places, all with dramatic views.
Then, through the charming village of Pontone itself, you walk into the ‘Valle dei Mulini’, the valley of the watermills, with the ruins of Europe’s most ancient paper mills dating back to the 11th century. The comfortable footpath runs along the river course in an abundant green landscape. Through an almost fairytale-like landscape, those who want can penetrate deep into the valley through spectacular scenery underneath the towering cliffs. Here you can admire several beautiful waterfalls.
Then you return down to Amalfi. The path gradually descends along several impressive ruins of what once were the first paper mills, adding a mysterious touch to the landscape. Along the last stretch, the scenery changes to lemon groves and maquis. Back down in Amalfi, you can stop at the paper museum before returning to your hotel. As the walk is relatively short, you now still have some time to wander around in Amalfi or take your time for a swim.
- Walking for the day: 9-10km, 4-5h, ↑500m ↓500m
- Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Amalfi (Hotel Floridiana, Hotel Lidomare or similar)
Day 3: Amalfi to Ravello and back | 8km
Today you walk along a beautiful route (or optionally take the bus) up to the charming historic village of Ravello, one of the most exclusive villages of the Amalfi Coast and a sought-after place by artists over the centuries, as its lofty position and sunny, the dry climate made it an appealing place to writers, artists, musicians and travellers from northern Europe. Boccaccio, D H Lawrence and Richard Wagner are among the more notable guests.
Ravello has a fascinating history and many medieval monuments and offers beautiful views over the Amalfi Coast. The French novelist André Gide once described the town as being ‘closer to the sky than the seashore’. Ravello also boasts two magnificent villas – the superb 11th-century Villa Rufolo, once a papal residence and later, the home of Wagner, and Villa Cimbrone, a sumptuous 19th-century mansion with fabulous gardens and unequalled views over the Gulf of Salerno. You can take your time to stroll through the village before starting the walk back down to the coast.
Along the dramatically located Villa Cimbrone and Castiglione hamlet, you walk first through vineyards and lemon groves, then along with a medieval flight of stairs down the beautiful little town of Atrani. This certainly is one of the best-preserved villages on the coast, with the possibility to look around the narrow white little streets of the town centre. The last short stretch to Amalfi is very scenic and has beautiful viewpoints of the city centre.
- Walking for the day: 7-8km, 3-4h, ↑500m ↓500m (shorter option possible)
- Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Amalfi (Hotel Floridiana, Hotel Lidomare or similar)
Day 4: Bomerano to Positano: Sentiero degli Dei | 9km
Today you first take a local bus up to the small village of Bomerano on the Agerola high plain. Here is the beginning of the famous ‘Sentiero degli Dei’ (‘Footpath of the Gods’), one of Italy’s most famous footpaths, and certainly a walk with unrivalled views. After a very panoramic section with views over the whole Amalfi Coast, stretching out as far as the island of Capri, you reach the junction for the monastery of San Domenico, dominating the coast from its hilltop (optional detour along a medieval pilgrim route).
Walking through unique scenery with unrivalled views, you will reach the hamlet of Nocelle. Passing another spectacular valley, you arrive in the little village of Montepertuso. After Montepertuso, it’s only a short walk downstairs to Positano, but it will take you some time as there are too many photo opportunities along the route. Positano itself is considered one of Italy’s most beautiful villages and certainly one of the Amalfi Coast pearls. After a stroll through its alleys, you settle in your hotel in the centre, located at walking distance from the large beach, where you will spend this and the next overnight.
- Walking for the day: 9km, 4-5h, ↑400m ↓400m
- Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Positano (Hotel Pupetto or similar)
Day 5: Positano Circular Walk | 8-11km
Take the local bus up to Montepertuso, from where you start a very scenic walk around the upper valley of Positano. Following ancient footpaths, through the forest and along marvellous viewpoints, you climb up towards 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. Through a nice wooded area in a park-like landscape, you then descend to the Caserma Forestale (the forestry service’s house). You can climb up from here to the Monte Sant’Angelo, the highest mountain of the peninsula, a very demanding but rewarding ascent. The standard walk continues through the forest and zigzags back down to Montepertuso. Along another medieval mule track, you then return to Positano.
- Walking for the day: 8 (11)km, 4-5h, ↑700m ↓700m
- Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Positano (Hotel Pupetto or similar)
Day 6: Departure or Onward Travel
After breakfast, frequent bus service can bring you to either Sorrento or Amalfi/Salerno, from where you travel to your next destination (Naples, Salerno or Rome can all be easily reached). Several taxi services are available to bring you directly to your next destination.
What to expect
Accommodation
All nights are spent in 3-star hotels. All rooms have en-suite facilities.
- Nights 1, 2 and 3: These are spent at Amalfi, the ancient capital of the Amalfi Coast, in a welcoming and comfortable 3-star hotel, recently renovated and located in the heart of the village. All hotels are within walking distance from the seashore and all the main monuments of the medieval town centre.
- Nights 4 and 5: The last two nights are spent in the romantic and fashionable little village of Positano, with its characteristic houses built onto the mountains’ steep slopes. You stay in a comfortable 3-star hotel. All hotels are at walking distance from the seashore (along Positano’s charming little streets/stairs)
Click to view default hotels
- Hotel Floridiana, Lidomare (Amalfi)
- Pupetto (Positano)
*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.
Meals
All accommodations are on a B&B basis. No evening meals are included, so you are free to choose from the wide choice of restaurants in the area. Your accommodation operator can give you good tips. On some occasions, you can also choose to eat at the premises of the hotel. No picnic lunches are included in the tour price, but these can be prepared for you by the accommodation holders, 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 tour is suitable for those who have some walking experience, not necessarily in the mountains, and a good general physical condition. Mostly easy to moderate walks for fit walkers. 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. You should be able to walk for up to 5h a day – partly in the hot sun on dusty or stony 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 mid-March until the end of October; you can start on any day of the week. The period of 29 July – 18 August 2024 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
The tour starts in Amalfi, connected with Salerno by a frequent bus (and boat) service and Naples by a less frequent bus service. In Summer there are direct boats from Naples. A taxi pick-up service can be arranged either from Naples (airport or train station) or from Pompeii or Castellammare di Stabia, which can be easily reached from Naples, with the local Circumvesuviana train. Visit the Italia Rail website for up-to-date train timetables and fares or use the Omio planner above.
The tour ends after breakfast on day 6 in Positano. A frequent bus service can bring you to either Sorrento or Amalfi/Salerno, from where you travel to your next destination (Naples, Salerno or Rome can all be easily reached). Several 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)
- 5 breakfasts
- 5 nights in private ensuite rooms
- Luggage transfers on day 4 – 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, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Additional luggage
- 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 available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Private airport transfers
- Extra nights
- Luggage transport of additional pieces or excess weight – please contact us in advance for more information
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