PathsHikes to the Crater

The Valley of Hell is 7-hour round-trip path with departure from Ottaviano and arrival at Mount Somma.

As soon as you move away from the residential area you can admire the Medici Palace dating back to the Middle Ages, a house of great historical, architectural and naturalistic importance.

During the excursion it’s also possible to appreciate natural wonders like the lava dome of 1937 with its eccentric eruptive mouths and panoramic views of Vesuvius and the Gulf of Naples.

The itinerary “Along the Cognoli” is one of the most panoramic and wildest routes of Vesuvius National Park and allows to admire from an incomparable perspective Punta Nasone, the Gran Cono of Vesuvius and the Atrio del Cavallo.

The path lasts 8 hours, including the return, and is characterized by steep climbs and a thick pine forest which lead the excursionist to the discovery of the typical vegetation of Vesuvius.

Moreover, excursionists have the opportunity to venture a few meters into the belly of the volcano and admire the most beautiful “ropy lava” formation of Vesuvius.

The path of Mount Somma, ring-shaped, lasts 5 hours in total and leads to Punta Nasone, the highest peak of the mountain. The first segment is set up to be usable also by blind and disabled people.

What makes this path unique is the beautiful view on the Gulf of Naples and the presence of flourishing forests where it’s possible to admire natural bridges like the elder bridge.

This path is mostly flat and develops inside the Tirone Reserve. It is possible, then, to walk in the woods and discover the many vegetable and animal species that animate the reserve.

During this excursion, hikers can appreciate the Gulf of Naples, the slopes of the Gran Cono and the secondary arm of the lava flow.

The excursion on the Gran Cono represents one of the most interesting excursions for the public because it allows to reach the Great Cone of the Vesuvius.

The itinerary has a short duration, 2 hours and a half, and during the route you’ll have the opportunity to appreciate the Gulf of Naples and the entire city, the promontory of Circeo, the Matese elevations and the depression that separated the two volcanoes.

The Matrone Road is an ancient path traced by the Matrone brothers to reach the Gran Cono starting from Boscotrecase.

The excursion, a 7-hour round-trip, carries out through pinewoods and woods where it’s possible to appreciate the vast flora and fauna of the area represented by brooms, holm oaks, foxes, dormice and more.

During the excursion it’s possible to enjoy the wonderful landscapes extending from the Sorrento Peninsula to the Gulf of Naples.

The path of the Profica Valley is divided in two parts. The first one is rural, characterized by fruit trees such as cherry trees, vineyards and hazelnut trees, whereas the second part is a mixed wood with broadleaf trees.

It’s a 3-hour excursion where hikers can enjoy a walk immersed in nature and in the smells of the typical vegetation of Campania, while also having the opportunity to walk along a section of the ridges of Vesuvius.

The “Rack Railway” path refers to a segment of the excursion conducted along the rack railway that connected the Power Station and the Observatory.

Thanks to this excursion you can see a fumarole placed between blocks of lava and various works of naturalistic engineering.

The Lava River represents one of the shortest paths but it allows to live the unique emotion of walking along the lava flow dating back to the eruption of 1944.

The itinerary doesn’t last long and can be combined with a visit to the museum located next to the Observatory.

During the walk it is possible to admire the view on the Gulf of Naples and the islands, as well as to study the vegetation along the path which, depending on the season, gives it breathtaking smells and colors.

The Olivella path takes its name from the homonymous springs whose presence represents a rare event in the Vesuvius Park, given the permeability of the soil.

The route goes through the Olivella trail before reaching the two springs. During the excursion it’s possible to appreciate Mount Somma in the background, the Mediterranean vegetation with the apricot tree and the peculiar fauna which has developed thanks to the springs.

The Terzigno Pinewood is a route with low difficulty and duration, designed for those with motor disability, visually impaired, or who are simply interested in a quiet walk where to admire the natural wonders of Vesuvius.

The walk, in fact, takes place entirely inside the pinewood from where the west side of Vesuvius is visible and where you can enjoy the smells and colors of the typical flora of the Vesuvius Park.