Walking holiday along the Amalfi Coast, 6 days

You arrive at your hotel in Amalfi. We recommend a short visit to the town centre and perhaps a swim in the beautiful ocean.

Hotel (exampel): Hotel Lidomare*** (Kategori A)
Hotel (exampel): Hotel Croce di Malfi*** (Charme - Sea View)
Hotel (exampel): Hotel Residence Amalfi**** (Charme - Sea View)

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, where you still notice the strong Moorish influence. 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 offers also a number of 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, almost un-Italian, landscape. Those who want can penetrate deep into the valley, through spectacular scenery, underneath the towering cliffs, through an almost fairy tale like landscape. 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 maquis. Back down in Amalfi you can opt for a unique Lemon Tour and pass 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.

IMPORTANT FOR 2022: A landslide has blocked the footpath in the Valle dei Mulini (‘Valley of the Mills’) above Amalfi, just beyond the agriturismo ‘Fore Porta’. Therefore the walk into the area is possible until this point, but you can not walk further into the Valle delle Ferriere.
However, there are several alternative routes to reach the Valle delle Ferriere, from ‘above’.

Hotel (exampel): Hotel Lidomare*** (Kategori A)
Hotel (exampel): Hotel Croce di Malfi*** (Charme - Sea View)
Hotel (exampel): Hotel Residence Amalfi**** (Charme - Sea View)

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, and a sought after place by artists over the centuries, as its lofty position and sunny, dry climate made it an appealing place to writers, artists, musicians and travellers from northern Europe. Boccaccio, DH Lawrence and Richard Wagner are among the more notable guests who have succumbed to its spells. Ravello not only has a very interesting history, and many medieval monuments, but also 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 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, 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 on the city centre. As the walk is relatively short you now still have some time to wander around in Amalfi or take your time for a swim.

Hotel (eksempel): Hotel Lidomare*** (Kategori A)
Hotel (eksempel): Hotel Croce di Malfi*** (Charme - Sea View)
Hotel (eksempel): Hotel Residence Amalfi**** (Charme - Sea View)

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 stretch 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, set in stupendous scenery, dominating the coast from its hilltop (optional detour along a medieval pilgrim route).

You then continue on a more or less level path, through spectacular scenery with bizarre rock formations and luxurious vegetation. Here the ‘Sentiero degli Dei’ really lives up to its name! Through unique scenery with unrivalled 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, but it will take you some time as there are too many photo opportunities along the route. Positano itself, 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.

Hotel (exampel): Hotel Pupetto*** (Kategori A - standard room)
Hotel (exampel): Hotel Pupetto*** (Charme - Sea View)
Hotel (exampel): Hotel Villa delle Palme***

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.

Hotel (exampel): Hotel Pupetto*** (Kategori A - standard room)
Hotel (exampel): Hotel Pupetto*** (Charme - Sea View)
Hotel (exampel): Hotel Villa delle Palme***

After breakfast you return by boat or bus and train to Naples and by shuttle bus to the airport. An extra night in a hotel can be booked upon request.