Trekking on the Amalfi Coast: the most beautiful routes
The Amalfi Coast is not only sea, enchanting beaches and good food, but also one of the most popular destinations for hiking and trekking enthusiasts. There are a large number of mule tracks and wonderful paths, more or less long and more or less frequented, that reveal environments of rare beauty. These are routes in the midst of nature that will let you discover the wilder side of the coast.
What are the most beautiful trekking routes on the Amalfi Coast? Let’s discover them together.
The Path of the Gods
One of the most beautiful and famous is the Sentiero degli Dei (Gods’ Path), which follows a route that has been used by locals for centuries as a means of communication. About 8 km long, it starts from Agerola, more precisely from the hamlet of Bomerano, or from Praiano, and ends at Nocelle, a small hamlet of Positano lying on the slopes of Monte Pertuso. The name is not accidental, because crossing it you will really feel as if you were walking in paradise. In addition to the numerous historical-architectural and naturalistic features, there are several panoramic terraces from which you can admire (and photograph) breathtaking views and panoramas. The walking time is about five hours.
The Lemon Path
Another fascinating route is the so-called Sentiero dei Limoni (Lemon Path), which connects Maiori to Minori, passing through the village of Torre and the magnificent promontory that divides the two towns. The route, within everyone’s reach (including children), passes through one of the most important cultivations of the sfusato amalfitano, the lemon famous throughout the world for its shape, perfume, flavour and high vitamin C content. The route is characterised by continuous ups and downs and several steps to climb (or descend). Before the modern Amalfitana state road was built, the path was the only link between the two towns.
The Ferriere Valley
Another route not to be missed is the Valle delle Ferriere, a splendid wooded area full of springs and waterfalls, where the more courageous can even bathe. It became a nature reserve in 1972 and is so called because of the ruins of the ancient ironworks and paper mills, once used for the production of the prized Amalfi paper, still in great demand today. The route, of slight difficulty due to the alternating climbs and descents, starts from the village of Pontone, a small hamlet in the municipality of Scala, and ends in Amalfi. The area is of considerable interest from a botanical and phytogeographical point of view.
The Path of the Fox Fisherman
The Path of the fox fisherman unfolds entirely in the municipality of Furore, the small village immersed in nature, also known as ‘the village that is not there’ for its scattered settlement on the mountainside. The route starts at Sant’Elia, where the church of the same name stands, and descends along the ancient path of the fisherman farmer to the enchanting Fjord, a small beach, just over 25 metres long, set between two mountain slopes. It takes its name from the fox that, cunning and hungry, goes as far as the fjord to find food. The path, which takes about 40 minutes, offers very picturesque views.
The Path of the Mad Bats
For botany enthusiasts, there is the Mad Bat Trail, which can be considered the continuation of the Path of the fox fisherman. In fact, it links the marvellous Fiordo di Furore with Punta Tavola, a small plateau overlooking the valley in the municipality of Conca dei Marini. Hidden amidst the vegetation, the path develops among carob trees and holm oaks, skirting canals and locks. It is so called because of the presence of an old and lonely abandoned paper mill, which has become the undisputed realm of bats, which rest there undisturbed during the day. The walk takes about 30 minutes.
The Avvocata Sanctuary Path
Finally, for no reason in the world can you miss the suggestive Path of the Sanctuary of the Avvocata, where nature, history and religious tradition come together to perfection. The most commonly used route runs from the Abbey of the Holy Trinity in Cava dei Tirreni (but there are also shorter routes starting from Maiori, Erchie and Cetara) almost to the top of Mount Avvocata, at an altitude of about 800 metres, where the majestic Sanctuary of the Madonna dell’Avvocata rises, overlooking the municipality of Maiori. The route is quite demanding and tiring. But it is absolutely worth it because it allows one to admire incredibly beautiful views of the landscape.
