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Self-Guided Walking on the Amalfi Coast

Resort:Self-Guided Walking on the Amalfi Coast
Operator: Exodus
Destination: Europe, Italy
Price From: £1095.00

Overview


Independent walks on Italy’s magnificent Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast is one of the most dramatic and beautiful coastlines in
Europe. Mountains rise steeply out of the Mediterranean far below and
picturesque towns nestle neatly in isolated coves. This self-guided walking
holiday sees you descend from your quiet base in Agerola, following mule
tracks and old paths through hillside villages, lemon groves and beautiful
deep gorges to towns with narrow streets, whitewashed buildings and
fascinating churches, monasteries and cathedrals. Away from the trails there
is plenty of time to partake in the traditional Amalfi pastimes of sampling
incredible food and wine, as well as enjoying the Mediterranean climate. A
highlight of the tour is one of the world’s greatest walks, trekking on the
‘Path of the Gods’. A visit to the Bay of Naples would not be complete
without seeing the incredible Roman remains of Pompeii beneath the volcanic
cone of Vesuvius.

Highlights

* Fantastic walks including the ‘Walk of the Gods’, one of the world’s
finest daywalks
* Visit the stunning coastal towns of Amalfi, Ravello & Positano
* Explore Pompeii, the world’s most visited archaeological site (optional)
* Sample delicious Italian cuisine in family-run hotel with small outdoor
swimming pool

Itinerary

Day 1
Start Agerola

Fly to Naples then transfer (optional, extra expense) to our base in the
sleepy village of Bomerano; Agerola.

Day 2
Follow mule tracks and steps down to Amalfi; explore the cathedral and town

After breakfast, start your walk to Amalfi and the glorious coast. Today has
a downhill bias as you follow the path down from Bomerano at 700m to the
shores of the Mediterranean and the town of Amalfi. Wonderful views of the
Amalfi Coast accompany you as you follow the trail. There are sections of
steps today (approx. 2000 in total).
Amalfi itself has been popular with the British since Edwardian times when
the upper classes favoured the town as a pleasant place to spend their
winters. The large Duomo (Cathedral) dominates the town with its bright
coloured tiles so typical of the region. You will arrive in time to explore
the town, take a swim or enjoy a well-earned ice cream before returning to
Bomerano by bus.

Day 3
Walk to top of Monte Tre Calli for great wide-open views of the coastline

From the front door of the hotel it’s a short stroll to the village square
(or in the case of Bomerano, a triangle) and the start of your walk.
Following a mixture of paths and tracks you ascend to the top of Monte Tre
Calli, where you are rewarded with spectacular panoramic views of the
coastline and the sea. The Agerola Plain and the village of Bomerano is laid
out below you and looking west on a clear day you can see the famous island
of Capri at the westernmost tip of the Sorrento Peninsula.

Day 4
Free day; optional trip to Pompeii or Capri

For your first free day you may choose to visit the amazing city of Pompeii
which, during the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius spanning two days
in AD 79, was completely buried in ash and pumice. Lost for 1700 years,
Pompeii’s perfectly preserved remains give us an amazing insight into the
life of a Roman city. You may also wish to add on a trip to Mount Vesuvius
and walk up to the volcano crater. Depending on the weather conditions, you
may choose to be led by a specialist Volcano guide through one of the many
incredible walks around the crater of Vesuvius. Private transfers to these
sites are bookable locally.On occasion, travellers may (by prior
arrangement and for a fee of 35 per person, entrance fees to the sites
excluded) be able to join the Walking The Amalfi Coast (TDA) group tour
transfers, however this is on request and subject to availability. Please
speak to the hotelier after your first briefing if you wish to join the group
transfers to/from Pompeii and Vesuvius.Alternatively you could enjoy a boat
ride along the coast from Amalfi (available from Easter to October), visit
the majestic island of Capri, or spend the day relaxing by the hotel pool!

Day 5
Walk the ‘Path of the Gods’ down to picturesque Positano

Today you may enjoy one of the world’s finest day walks. Leaving from your
front door step it’s a short stroll through the quiet village of Bomerano
before beginning the Walk of the Gods. The route follows the contours of the
land for the majority of the day with amazing views of the Amalfi Coastline
far below. In season the hillside is carpeted with flowers and the coastal
waters teem with cruisers and pleasure boats. Your destination today is
Positano, an almost vertical town of colourful buildings reached by a network
of ancient paths and tracks. On the way there is plenty of time to admire one
of the most beautiful views of the Amalfi Coast before descending a long
series of steps into Positano. You will have time to explore before returning
in the late afternoon; you may even choose to take a boat trip back to
Amalfi.

Day 6
Free day; optional walk in the Valle delle Ferriere National Park

You have a choice today; relax by the pool or take one of the excursions
mentioned in the routebook, alternatively you can enjoy a more difficult walk
to the Valle delle Ferriere National Park. This walk is steep and rocky and
must only be done in (and after) good weather as the ground can become
slippy. After a short climb up a set of steps passing farmhouses and terraced
vegetable patches, you will reach a hillside of extensive chestnut groves,
where you will be rewarded with beautiful views across the valley and down to
the distant coastline. Following the hillside through the groves, make the
most of the shady trails before emerging at a rocky viewpoint. You then
descend along a rocky path (steep in parts) and walk through woodland where
you may see wild flowers and herbs growing.
Over a river, and through the National Park boundary fence, discover a lush
enclave within a gorge harbouring a beautiful moss-clad waterfall. From here
the path to Amalfi is well marked and of a gentle gradient. Shells of former
paper factories give way to colourful terraces of vegetables and lemon trees
nestled beside quaint houses. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore
Amalfi, take a boat trip to the nearby Grotta Smeralda, or enjoy a refreshing
gelato.

Day 7
Circular walk from Amalfi to romantic Ravello

Ravello is home to the most classic views of the Amalfi coast. You will take
the bus down to Amalfi where your walk begins. Passing through the village of
Atrani, you will make your way up through the cobbled streets and alleyways
before arriving at Ravello; a beautiful town that became a retreat for
countless stars of the silver-screen. You may like to take the opportunity to
visit the gardens of Villa Cimbrone and see the magnificent Duomo or stop for
lunch in a caf before heading back to Amalfi via the high route, passing
some incredible views and the historic Torre dello Ziro on the way.

Day 8
End Agerola

Transfer to Naples (own expense); fly to London.