The Amalfi Coast’s 4 Best Hikes
First things first, when you’re hiking the Amalfi Coast, you’re not stepping on just any ordinary gravel path. Rather, you’re hiking historic trails, some of which connect charming villages, a large number of which cling to the mountains above the deep blue Mediterranean, and all of which make you want to high-five every passerby.
Hiking the Amalfi Coast epitomizes living “la dolce vita,” and while we’ve got it going on here in British Columbia with our dramatic mountains and clear lakes, there’s something truly magical about exploring Italy by foot. With a few trips under our belt and many exuberant Adventure Trekkers who attest to the Amalfi Coast’s spellbinding quality, we’re ready, nay incredibly excited, to share our favorite local hikes.
How does one even begin to whittle down the list of best hikes on the Amalfi Coast? The process was not easy–each trail deserves an honorable mention–but we managed to select just four stand-out hikes based on their views, starting and ending points, history, technicality, and duration. We considered the whole gamut. Our list has strong legs.
Here are Mountain Trek’s 4 best hikes on the Amalfi Coast
Path of the Gods
In particular, hiking from Praiano to Nocelle, above Positano.
Why Best Hike on Amalfi Coast: Outstanding views of the Mediterranean and the two Amalfi Coast towns. The Path of the Gods is a hike that recalls the incredible landscapes of Greek mythology.
Note: Because of its popularity, it can be packed with tourists, at times making it seem somewhat dangerous. It’s technical, and has lots of exposure on cliffs.
Hike Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain/loss: -400m/-1200ft
Distance: 8 km/5 mi.
Il Vallone delle Ferriere
Also known as: Iron Foundry Valley or Paper Mills Valley hike.
Why Best Hike on Amalfi Coast: It starts in the quaint seaside town of Ravello, which was founded in the 5th century, and runs back into the mountains, descending to the coastal town of Amalfi. The hike follows a cascading creek, and is dotted with 12-14th century remains of iron factories and paper mills.
Note: Beautiful, tall chestnut trees and rare, long leaved ferns.
Hike Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain/loss: -400m/-1,200ft
Distance: 6 km/3.7 mi.
The Path of the Two Provinces
Also known as Santa Maria del Castello
Why Best Hike on Amalfi Coast: It’s the longest and steepest climb, but a favorite because it’s barely used, and has epic views of the azure blue sea far below the limestone cliffs it sits on. The trail climbs straight up the mountain above Positano for 1800’, and descends to the village of Arola, above Sorrento.
The first section of this trail has an elevation gain of about 800 meters to get to the Hamlet of Santa Maria del Castello.
Note: Allow for 5-6 hours of walking, as the path is steep and rocky in places.
Hike Difficulty: Challenging
Elevation gain/loss: +900m/2,900ft
Distance: 13.5 km/8.4 mi.
The Path of the Sirens
Why Best Hike on Amalfi Coast: It climbs through traditional garden farms growing artichokes, broccolini and olives, to a peak that gives the area’s best vantage point of the Sirens, the Greek mythological islands that housed singing divas dangerous to sailors. It is a unique walk surrounded by Mediterranean nature, rich in historical and mythological references and breathtaking views of the two gulfs (Gulf of Naples and Gulf of Salerno).
Note: The trail is a 4-hour hike that tops out in a pine forest before descending to the village of Torca.
Hike Difficulty: Easy
Elevation gain/loss: 300m/900ft
Distance: 8.5 km/5.2 mi.
Our final vote for “Bests of the Amalfi Coast” is for Lucy, the hiking guide who showed us the ropes. She is energetic, friendly, and eager to impart her knowledge of the Amalfi Coast. To add depth to your hiking experience, we recommend bringing her along for at least one of your hiking adventures.
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