Amalfi Coast

Amalfi

(Arrival

Arrival in Amalfi. Short visit to the town centre and maybe a swim to wash off the tiredness of the journey.
Special note : Roadbook + map provided to your first hotel

"Valle dei Mulini" via Pontone

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. The main point of interest is the marvellous Torre dello Zirro, located on a narrow ridge, in a park-like landscape. This area offers also one of many marvellous picnic places. 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. Those who want can penetrate deep into the valley, through spectacular scenery, underneath the towering cliffs. Here you can admire a number of beautiful waterfalls. Then you return back down to Amalfi. The path gradually descends along a number of 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 marquis. Back down in Amalfi you can pass at the paper museum, before returning to your hotel.

Villa Cimbrone and Castiglione

Today you first take a local (open) bus up to the charming historic village of Ravello, one of the most exclusive villages of the Amalfi Coast. Ravello 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. 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 the hamlet of Castiglione you walk first through vineyards and lemon groves, then along a medieval flight of stairs down the beautiful little town of Atrani. This certainly is one of the best-preserved villages of the coast. The last short stretch to Amalfi is very scenic and has beautiful viewpoints of the city centre.

Praiano - "Maestra dei Villaggi" & "Via dell'Amore"

From Amalfi, you walk along one of the oldest pathways of the medieval Amalfi Maritime Republic, the ‘Maestra dei Villaggi’, or ‘main road of the villages’, an old paved mule track dating back to the 9th century. You pass the little villages of Lone and Vettica, before arriving at the imposing monastery of Santa Rosa (there is also the possibility to take a local bus to here, avoid a 300-m. ascent!). The walk from here first goes to the charming little village of Conca dei Marini, from where you’ll have wonderful views both on Amalfi and towards the western tip of the peninsula. The route then descends to the coast again along some charming churches beautifully located above the rocky shore. You descend into the spectacular fjord of Furore, with its charming fishing village underneath the towering limestone cliffs. From here you walk uphill again, and past the hamlet and church of Sant’Elia, you take the ‘Via dell’Amore’, into the Valley of Praia. A great last stretch through forest, vineyards and Mediterranean scrub land,  then brings you to the coastal village of Praiano, where you’ll stay for the next two nights. An optional descent to the very picturesque inlet of Marina di Praia, the old little harbor of Praiano, is worth the effort!

Caves of Santa Barbara via Valley of Praia

From your hotel you can walk through the little streets of Praiano, up towards the little church of Santa Maria di Costantinopoli. From here on a comfortable path above the village itself, you walk into the Valley of Praia, a beautiful green valley with many vineyards clung to the cliffs. You then climb up to the little church of Sant’Alfonso and from here the very scenic caves of Santa Barbara: another short section uphill brings you to the beginning of the famous ‘Sentiero degli Dei’ (Footpath of the Gods), a walk with unrivalled views. After a very panoramic stretch with views over the whole Amalfi Coast, reaching out until the island of Capri, you start the descend back to Praiano again, passing over a centuries-old staircase. For those who still have some energy a descend to the little inlet ‘Cavitella’ is highly recommended.

Positano - "Footpath of the Gods"

You start your walk again in the picturesque whitewashed alleys of Praiano. Along a medieval pilgrims’ route, you then walk uphill towards the monastery of San Domenico, dominating the coast from its hilltop. Here you can have a little rest before continuing the climb uphill, through spectacular scenery with bizarre rock formations and luxurious vegetation. Shortly, you then reach one of Italy’s most famous footpaths, the ‘Sentiero degli Dei’, or ‘Footpath of the Gods’. Through unique scenery with unrivaled views, you 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. Positano is considered to be one of Italy’s most beautiful villages, and certainly one of the pearls of the Amalfi Coast. After a stroll through its alleys, you settle in your hotel in the centre, at walking distance from the large beach.

Caserma Forestale via the Valley of Positano

First, you 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 marvelous viewpoints, you climb up towards Santa Maria al Castello, the old fortress defending the narrow valley between the Amalfi- and Sorrento-side 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). For those who want there is the possibility to climb up from here to the Monte Sant’Angelo, the highest mountain of the peninsula, a very demanding but rewarding ascent. The standard walk though continues through the forest and zigzags back down to Montepertuso. Along another medieval mule track, you then return to Positano again.

Amalfi (Departure) - Possible extension in Capri