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3
moderate

Traveller Rating

 

Activities
  • self guided walk
Accommodation
  • hotel
Meals
  • 5 Breakfasts

6 Days£930GBP

Overview

Trip Code: JA6

Amalfi Coast Walking Trip highlights


  • 9th Century “Maestra dei Villaggi” mule track between villages
  • Legacy of Greek, Roman & medieval times
  • Unrivalled Italian Coastal Walking
  • Walk the Path of the Gods: 'Sentiero degli Dei'
  • Independent hotels, GPS, local support & more
  • Colourful towns, hillside vineyards, towering cliffs, shaded forests, attractive valleys

A self-guided walk along the stunning Amalfi Coast, a land where the mountains, marquis pastures, lemon groves, vineyards and villages meet the sea. A place where you could be strolling on a rugged trail for one moment and then in the next be winding down through a citrus grove then through a pleasant village towards the blue waters of the Mediterranean. The towns, villages and towers that cling to the cliffs can be a riotous mix of vibrant colours and tempered pastel shades.

There is so much history, the Greeks settled here in the 8th century B.C. and looking down you can almost imagine the Argonauts rowing by enroute to tackle some Titan. The Romans came next, building villas around Positano and on Capri. There was much destruction caused by the eruption of Vesuvius and not just at Pompeii. In the early medieval period Amalfi became a major maritime city state claiming to have invented the compass and some aspects of parchment manufacture. Today the town remains much as it was with narrow lanes and St. Andrew’s Cathedral dominating the scene.

Walk through this spectacular region using the extensive web of footpaths and mule tracks that thread along the cliffs and a wealth of natural and cultural treasures that can be reached relatively easily. On this self-guided walk, you'll pass close to monasteries, caves and ancient farmhouses, visit nature reserves and ruins of paper mills, whilst enjoying spectacular views during all the walks.

*You can also opt for an 8 & 11 day version of this Amalfi Coast self-guided walking holiday, which include Sorrento, Pompeii and Capri island and/or more circular walks.

Countries:

Italy

Starting Point:

Amalfi

Finishing Point:

Positano


Make your own way to Amalfi. This afternoon stroll around the town centre or take a dip in the ocean. Visit St. Andrew’s Cathedral, which claims to also be the eponymous saint’s resting place, and the interesting Arabesque cloister. You could also visit the Museo della Carta (paper museum) where there are still 14th century water-driven presses. Accommodation: Two nights are spent in a welcoming and comfortable hotel.

Meals:  Nil

Today you'll start with your self-guided walking tour of the Amalfi Coast. The first part of the walk takes you into the “Valle dei Mulini”, the valley of the watermills. There are ruins of Europe’s oldest paper factories, dating back to the 11th century. The path then takes you up to the little village of Pontone. From here there is an optional walk to the Torre dello Zirro, which is a marvellous picnic area with spectacular views of Amalfi to one side and Atrani to the other. From here it’s about an hour’s walk to Ravello, another highlight of the Amalfi Coast. You could visit its beautiful Romanesque church. Or visit the garden at Villa Rufolo (developed by a Scot) and just down the way, the garden at Villa Cimbrone (developed by an English Lord). Both have views from their terraces that have been described as the most beautiful in the World. From Cimbrone, walk steeply back down to Amalfi town, passing through beautiful Atrani. Look around its town centre's narrow white little streets. The last short stretch to Amalfi is very scenic and has beautiful viewpoints of the city centre. Ascent/ Descent: 640 metres approx.

Meals:  B

This is the most strenuous day on our Amalfi Coast walking holiday and is quite exposed if it is hot. You start the day walking along one of the oldest streets of the area: the “Maestra dei Villaggi,” or highway of the villages. It is an old paved mule track dating back to the 9th century. Pass the little villages of Lone and Vettica before arriving at the imposing monastery of Santa Rosa, now converted into a hotel. The route descends to the coast again passing some charming churches beautifully located above the rocky shore. You then descend steeply to the spectacular fjord of Furore, which is the ideal spot for lunch. Luigi runs a tiny restaurant down here and will prepare for you whatever his catch has been that day. From here you could take the bus to your hotel as the rest of the day is strenuous, but no less beautiful. After a steep stepped ascent, walk past the church of Sant’Elia into the Valley of Praia. The path threads its way into the wild terraces, uncultivated for decades, and there is some walking close to cliffs. After passing a house once occupied by a locally-known wizard, it is time to drop into the coastal town of Praiano. Opt to descent to the very picturesque inlet of Marina di Praia, its tiny old harbour. Praiano is spread out over about 3km with upper and lower parts and has a couple of tiny beaches in natural inlets. Ascent / Descent: Approx: 820 metres. * You can shorten today’s walk by taking the bus at the lunch spot, around half way into the day. Accommodation: We use several accommodations, our usual one has great sea views above the old coastal watchtower and marina.

Meals:  B

Along an old pilgrims’ path, twist uphill to the monastery of San Domenico. It is set in stupendous scenery, dominating the coast from its hillside terrace. Stop to admire the view before continuing uphill for another stretch through spectacular scenery with bizarre rock formations and luxurious vegetation. Then follow the last stretch of the “Footpath of Gods”, which really lives up to its name, through unique scenery to the hamlet of Nocelle. On the way there are some high cliffside trails overlooking the sea and views down to Praiano and onto Positano and Capri. Passing another attractive valley, arrive in the little village of Montepertuso from where a choice of stairways takes you down to Positano itself, one of the most charming villages of the coast. Ascent/descents: 645m Accommodation: Some accommodations we use in Positano will offer you great location and unbeatable sea views

Meals:  B

Catch the local bus up to Montepertuso, where you start the walk above the valley of Positano. Following ancient footpaths through the forest and along marvelous viewpoints (some cliff top walking) climb towards Santa Maria al Castello, the old fortress defending the narrow valley between the Amalfi and Sorrentine side of the peninsula. On the way up there is a beautifully engineered section of steps known as the ‘Tse-Tse.’ From here oversee both the Gulf of Salerno and the Gulf of Naples. Through a nice wooded area in a park like landscape take an easy trail to the ‘Caserna Forestale’, a foresters’ house, from where the walk continues through the forest and with a number of zigzags descends down to Montepertuso. Along another medieval mule track we then descend back down to Positano. Ascent / descent: 450m.

Meals:  B

It's the end of your self-guided Amalfi Coast walking holiday. After breakfast, return to Naples by ferry, bus and train, or taxi for your onward journey.

Meals:  B


Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.


Inclusions

  • 5 breakfasts
  • 5 nights in charming hotels on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities
  • Luggage transfer
  • Information pack including route notes & maps
  • Emergency hotline
  • GPX track files

  • Evening meals, lunches & beverages
  • Entrance fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Travel to the start and from the end point of the trip
  • Personal expenses such as laundry and phone calls
  • Unscheduled transfers required during the trip
  • City Tax 2-4 Euros per day, per person locally payable to the accommodations
  • A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room
  • Guide - this is a self guided holiday

Accommodation


Suitability

moderate

3

Moderate. One day is more challenging than the average. This self-guided walking tour in Amalfi is suitable for those who have had some experience of walking and are in good general physical condition. There are lots of ascents and descents on stepped trails, and so this is not a good walk if you have issues with your knees. Most days are not too long, but some people will find this tiring in warm weather. Please note you can expect to walk in high temperatures in late June, July, August and September.


Departure dates

Daily from 15 Mar to 31 Oct (except 29 Jul - 17 August)

Notes

M
Mid Season
H
High Season
P
Peak Season Supplement
DN1
Mid season is from 1-31 May. High Season is from 1 June - 28 July and 1-30 Sept. Peak season is 18-31 Aug. A supplement applies for mid, high and peak season departures. Please note that minor changes to your 2024 itinerary may apply.
DN2
8 & 11 day versions available (codes JA8 & JAM).
DN3
10 day version available with Cilento Coast extension (code JAH).

Priceper person from

£930GBP

Options & Supplements*
  • Single SupplementGBP£440
  • Solo Traveller SupplementGBP£470
  • Mid & High Season Single SupplementGBP£520
  • Peak Season Single SupplementGBP£550
  • Mid & High Season Solo Traveller SupplementGBP£560
  • Peak Season Solo Traveller SupplementGBP£580
*Prices listed are per person

Frequently Asked Questions

The prettiest way is to fly to Naples, then take a train or bus to Salerno and then take the ferry to our first hotel on the Amalfi Coast.

Yes, you will find many steps on our Amalfi Coast walks. A number of the trails have successions of steep stony steps, while there are also long sections on footpath trail.

Yes, on day 4 you will follow the last stretch of the Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods) to the village of Nocelle.

We don't advise taking this walk in the summer, when there is a lot of direct sunshine. If it is too hot for walking on a certain day, then you could take the bus service or ferry between the villages and you could opt to go swimming or sightseeing instead.

The Amafli Coast is a very popular area with tourists and this means that the towns there can be very busy especially around beaches, churches and shopping areas. The Sentiero degli Dei is also a busy path with a lot of walkers. However on most of the trails you will find few walkers and some can even feel remote.

Although vertigo is subjective, this walk is not appropriate for severe sufferers, but should be ok for mild sufferers. There are cliffs and rocky sections of path on our Amalfi Coast walking holidays.

There are many restaurants in Amalfi and although it cannot be classed as cheap, a lot of the restaurants offer different types of set menu, some are very reasonably priced.

The Mediterranean maquis vegetation can grow fast in the spring, so certainly parts of trails need a bit of care for route finding especially at that time of year.

We would recommend that if you want to visit Pompeii, Mt Vesuvius and/or Sorrento that you request our team to book an extra night for you. You can either do this in Sorrento or Naples, from where you can join the Circumvesuviana train which links all these places together.


Amalfi Coast Walking Trip reviews


Why travel with us

Personal Experience

We've been walking and cycling the planet for over four decades and are passionate about delivering exceptional service. Combined, we’ve travelled to virtually every corner of Europe, and are eager to share the many benefits of travelling on foot or by bike.

Great Value & Quality

Our well priced trips offer great value for money. Included in your package are comprehensive route notes, maps & guide books along with bag transfers and locally run accommodation. We take the stress out of organising your holiday.

Self-Guided Specialists

We have been operating active self guided holidays since 1973. We handle all the necessary logistics so that you can relax and explore your destination at your own pace. Many of our tours depart daily, giving you even greater flexibility.