Amalfi Coast Hike

This morning at 8:30, meet your guide(s) and fellow travelers for a short transfer to the remarkable archaeological site of Pompeii. In 79 AD, the sudden eruption of Mount Vesuvius buried this thriving Roman town beneath layers of ash and pumice, preserving everyday life in astonishing detail. A specialist guide leads us through its villas, temples, theaters, and marketplaces, bringing the ancient city vividly back to life. After our visit, we drive up the fertile slopes of Vesuvius to a family-owned winery, where Gaetano welcomes us for a tour of the estate, a tasting of local wines, and a relaxed lunch overlooking the vines. We then continue to the coastal village of Minori and check into our hotel (Villa Romana or L’Antica Regina, or similar). Later in the evening, we gather for a welcome drink before enjoying dinner at a nearby restaurant. Overnight Minori. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and hotel are included.

After breakfast on the terrace, we set out on a beautiful hike into the hills above the sea, where sweeping views stretch across the sparkling coastline and the colorful villages below. From Minori, we climb a series of stone steps that lead us onto the famous “Path of the Lemons,” weaving through terraced groves and tiny hamlets perched high above the water. Midday, we stop for a light, delicious lunch at a simple village café. Afterward, we visit a local lemon producer, discovering how these golden fruits are cultivated, cooked, and transformed into everything from pastries to liqueurs. We then return to our hotel in Minori, with free time to relax by the pool or unwind at the spa. Dinner this evening is in the village, where seafood and sun-ripened flavors complete the day.  The hike:  A 6 km loop, with an optional extra 5 km that includes a steep up and down on a staircase to the convent of San Nicola. The regular hike has about 200 meters/640 ft of elevation gain and low, whereas the optional extension adds another 340 m/1,080 ft  of elevation gain and loss.  Overnight Minori. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and hotel included.

A short transfer along a stunning cliffside road brings us to Amalfi, once a mighty maritime republic between the 8th and 12th centuries. We stroll its lively streets before visiting the intriguing Paper Museum, where ancient mills reveal how Amalfi craftsmen learned to make paper from cloth, a technique brought home from Asia during the Crusades. From here, we set off through the lush “Valley of the Mills,” following an old footpath still used by woodsmen and their donkeys. The trail winds past waterfalls, chestnut woods, and moss-covered ruins before we pause for lunch at a local restaurant featuring excellent seafood (or pizza, if you prefer). Our walk leads us up to elegant Ravello, where we are welcomed to the Hotel La Moresca (or similar). The afternoon is free to explore Ravello’s peaceful gardens, villas, and historic churches. This evening, we enjoy dinner at Ristorante Salvatore, savoring fresh coastal flavors paired with an unforgettable view over the twinkling lights of Minori and Maiori.  The hike: 9km, 650m elevation gain, 3 hours. Overnight Ravello. Breakfast, dinner and hotel included. 

After a short transfer to the hamlet of Campidoglio, we begin our hike beneath the dramatic cliffs of Punta d’Aglio, then descend into the lush Valle delle Ferriere. The path winds past waterfalls and the ghostly remains of old paper mills, once powered by the rushing streams that still tumble through the valley. We continue to the hilltop village of Pogerola for a light lunch, then follow a long staircase down into Amalfi. Here you’ll have free time to explore the town, enjoy a gelato, or take a dip at the beach. Later, we return to Ravello, where the late afternoon is free to relax at the hotel or wander its cobbled lanes and quiet piazzas. Tonight is a free evening for dinner, giving you the chance to choose the style of meal you’d like. The hike: 9km, 550m elevation gain, 1000m elevation loss, 3 hours. Overnight Ravello. Breakfast, lunch, and hotel included. Dinner not included.

Today we set out on the legendary Sentiero degli Dei—the Path of the Gods. This unforgettable four-hour walk winds through cypress groves, wildflower meadows, and ancient stone dwellings perched high above the sea. The trail follows the spine of the coastal mountains, offering sweeping views of the sparkling shoreline far below. Reaching the village of Nocelle, we continue through a dramatic limestone gorge and on to the hilltop hamlet of Montepertuso. From here, old stairways lead us through olive groves and vineyards into glamorous Positano. Rather than linger in its busy (often crowded 🙁) center, we board a boat (weather permitting) for a scenic transfer along the coast to Sorrento. We settle in for two nights at the four-star Hotel Regina or Hotel Admiral, both located near the water in Marina di Sorrento. Dinner tonight is in the village.

The hike:  9.5km,700m elevation gain, 1300m elevation loss, 3.5 hours. Overnight Sorrento. Breakfast, dinner, and hotel are included.

 

After breakfast on the terrace, we transfer about 30 minutes to our trailhead. With our picnic lunch in hand, we set off on our final hike: a long, gentle descent along an ancient Roman path that leads out toward the peninsula’s lighthouse, with stunning views across the water to Capri all along the way. The trail winds into the fishing village of Nerano, where we pause for a coffee or cold drink before continuing down to a hidden bay. Here, we can enjoy a swim in crystal-clear water, followed by a picnic beneath the olive trees beside an old stone olive press. After lunch, a final short climb brings us back to Nerano, where our van is waiting. We return to Sorrento for a relaxing afternoon—perfect for unwinding on the hotel terrace, heading to the beach, or browsing the shops in town. The Hike: Long option: 11 kms/6 mi, Elevation gain 565 m / 1800 ft and elevation loss, 720 m / 2,300 ft. Duration 4 hrs. Short option 5 km / 3 mi Elevation gain and loss 400m / 1,280 ft Duration 2.5 hrs  Overnight Sorrento. Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner, and hotel are included.
 

Departure: After a relaxed breakfast, we leave at 9:30 a.m. for the Naples train station, arriving around 11:00. Breakfast included.

Please note: Some itinerary details may change depending on your tour departure date. Whenever we run a tour, we make discoveries. Sometimes they are good discoveries, like a wonderful new trattoria, and sometimes bad, like a trail has been washed away. Therefore, we sometimes change our itinerary to improve it, adding wonderful new elements or removing elements that no longer work. Rest assured, we always aim to provide you with the best possible experience. We will advise you of any changes to the original itinerary before departure.

For many years, we took our groups to Capri, initially for a two-night stay, then a day trip, and now, we prefer to look across at the beautiful island and its Sirens during our last hike along the spine of the Lubrense Peninsula. Sadly, Capri has become too crowded in our opinion, to the point that it is simply no longer enjoyable. The village of Positano has also become overwhelmed with tourists, so we do not schedule much time there. Indeed, Positano is beautiful to look at as we approach it at the end of our “Path of the Gods” hike, but once we're inside its narrow alleys, we prefer to escape the crowds and make our way to beautiful Sorrento and our lovely hotel, where we stay for two nights.