The high path of the mountains “Monti Lattari”
The high path of the mountains Monti Lattari walks in high altitude across the Amalficoast and the peninsule of Sorrento from Corpo di Cava (near Salerno) to Punta Campanella (near Sorrento).
The length is at about 90km and touches the most interesting peaks of the mountain chain of Monti Lattari, culminating with its highest peak Monte S. Angelo a tre Pizzi (1444m).Part of this itinerary are the path of Monte Cerasulo (in peninsula of Sorrento) and the path inside the ferry valley “Valle delle Ferriere” and the Godpath “Sentiero degli Dei“ (both in Amalficoast).
Il sentiero degli Dei – The path of Gods
The path Gods This is certainly one of the most spectacular of the Amalficoast.
It owes its name to the numerous temples dedicated to Minerva, Mitra and Ceres, which stood along this path in Roman era.
Often is called ”Path of the Gods” also the path that goes from Santa Maria di Castello, situated halfway between the Gulf of Naples and the Gulf of Salerno, to Bomerano (Agerola), splitting the path between “upper path” and “lower path” (the one from a Bomerano to Nocelle (Positano), but the most famous and popular one is certainly the so-called “lower path”.
Il sentiero degli Dei (basso) – The (lower) path of Gods
The lower Path Of Gods – from Bomerano (Agerola) to Positano via Colle Serra and Li Cannati (8 km – difficulty medium).
Along the route you pass under the “Grotta del Biscotto – cave of the biscuit” where, in addition to the special geological conformation of the rocks you can admire ruins of antique houses embedded in the rocks of the cave.
After “Colle Serra” there is an enchanting scenery to the islands “Li Galli”, to the Peninsula of Sorrento with Capri in the background.
Continuing along the path you will reach ”Li Cannati”, Nocelle and Montepertuso and then go down to Positano via a long staircase.
Following going down you can reach the beach of Positano.
Is it possible to shorten the path and start the walk from the village of Praiano, passing the Convent of S. Dominico, or to go down by the scalesway at Nocelle to reach the street SS163 in Arienzo.
The village of Praiano organizes concerts on the Path of Gods in spring and autumn.
Il sentiero degli Dei (alto) – The (upper) Path of the Gods
From St. Maria di Castello to Bomerano (Agerola).
The path that runs from Santa Maria di Castello to Bomerano is perhaps more difficult than the lower path, even for his higher altitude, which increased from 659m of Santa Maria di Castello to 1079 m of “Capo Muro”, and then getting back to 633m of Bomerano, the arrival of this path and the departure of the lower one.
La valle delle Ferriere
The valley of the Forges – from Amalfi to Amalfi (3 hours – low difficulty).
At the back of Amalfi, in the territory of Scala, there is the valley of the Forges, “La valle delle Ferriere”, along the river Canneto.
The valley looks like a long canyon with his high walls of rocks.
The lower part of the valley, territory of Amalfi, is called “Valle dei Mulini”, the mill valley, because of the many antique mills that used the water of the stream.
Later in time they were replaced by papermills.
The inner part of the valley, in territory of Scala, is called “Valle delle Ferriere”, valley of the forges, and is named so because of the presence of an old ironfactory.
Pass the ruins of the ironfactory, continuing to follow the river Canneto, which here flows tumultuously creating small waterfalls and rapids.
It is possible to enter in the last part of the valley with a necessary authorization.
Passing the metal fence you arrive at the rear of the valley with the most spectacular waterfall of the Amalficoast.
The valley is a nature reserve since 1972.
Montepertuso (Positano) – Vallone Pozzo – S. Maria di Castello – Positano
From Montepertuso you climb up to the barracks of the foresters.
From the path you can enjoy a wonderful panorama, in fact you can see Positano from above, on the left you can see Montepertuso, Nocelle and Vettica Maggiore (Praiano).
Continue to S. Maria di Castello through the Vallone Pozzo. From S. Maria di Castello you go down to Positano by “Le Tese” until you reach the main road SS163 at the roadcross to Montepertuso.
Montepertuso (Positano) – Forestale – Conocchia – Monte S. Michele (4 hours)
From the square of Montpertuso through the winding staircases that leads first through houses and walls, you will reach a cave with a Madonna.
Through a gravelly slope and passing near a rock with deep furrows and a waterfall you reach the small barracks of the foresters.
Proceeding in the direction of Monte Sant’Angelo a Tre Pizzi, the landscape gradually becomes more savage the more you get near to the higher peaks.
The path that runs above the prominent rocky edges, leads to the junction of Conocchia at1320m.
From there a winding path leads in about one hour to Monte S. Michele, the highest peak of Mount S. Angelo chain (1444 m), which offers a glance at the majestic Bay of Naples.
Il Sentiero della Praia – The Path of Praia
From Bomerano (Agerola) to Marina di Praia (Praiano) (4km – medium difficulty).
From the square of Bomerano (Agerola) the mulepath takes to the cave of S. Barbara and once passed, goes right to cross the river bed Praia.
The old path crosses then Praiano and Vettica Maggiore, to finally get on the coastal road. From here, near the church of S. Luca, take the stairs to Cala di Rezzola and arrive at the beach Marina di Praia.
Sentiero dell’agave in fiore – path of Agave in bloom
From S. Elia (Furore) to Marina di Praia (Praiano).
Near the church of S.Elia begins the path that leads between agaves, bushes and prickly pears to Pennola passing Grottole.
From here the path drops down steeply to Carritto to the bridge of Praia.
Sentiero della volpe pescatrice – Path of Fox angler
From the church of S. Elia, Furore to Furore (40 minutes).
From the square Piazza del Carmine, near the church of S. Elia, a staircase takes down, the long and ancient path of the farmers and fisherman.
After the palace of the “Maccaronari”, continue the walk.
After crossing the road, the path becomes less steep and more exposed to the sea.
At the end of the path a stairway leads to a group of houses, they form the heart of the fishermen-village inside the fjord of Furore.
Sentiero dei Pipistrelli Impazziti – path of the Mad Bats
From Furore to Conca dei Marini.
The path of the mad bats can be seen as a logical continuation of the path of Fox angler.
It starts from the fjord of Furore and enters, after a while, in a very full green and full of surprises.
It meets, after the fishing village and the paper-mill, the bridge of water supply, the mills of Conca dei Marini and higher up, the ruins of an ancient paper-mill.
Here the path turns right and climbs on the cliffs to Punta Tavola, a small plateau overlooking the valley.
A little further on is the church of S. Michele at Conca dei Marini.
Sentiero del Borgo Marinaro – Path of the Fishermanvillage
From viewpoint Fausto Coppi (Agerola) to Furore (2km – low difficulty).
Next to viewpoint Belvedere Fausto Coppi starts a stair that goes down to the sea and to the deep gorge called Furore with an ancient fishermanvillage, recently renovated, that seems a nativity scene.
Sentiero Abu Tabela – Path Abu Tabela
From S. Lazzaro (Agerola) to Furore (1 hour).
The path follows the trail of the legendary General Abu Tabela.
It starts from Punta Scotelo and crosses the gorge of the Furore valley to the river Penise and passes through the remains of an old powder magazine, leaning on the side of the cliff.
In the distance, showing glimpses of the sea view.
Sentiero dei Nidi di Corvo o Sentiero di S.Barbara – Raven’s Nest Path or Path of S. Barbara (70minuti)
The path takes its name from the cave of S. Barbara.
In the square of Carmine in Bomerano (Agerola) take the staircase leading to Capo Croce (cape cross), whose name derives from a cross raised on a rocky peak.
Hence another staircase rises steeply from the vineyards to “Vigne” to reach the square S. Alfonso, where there is is a chapel dedicated to the saint.
Go left to follow a path leading to the Cave of S. Barbara where you can reach a small chapel with a bell tower and frescoes of the seventeenth century.
Sentiero dell’Antica Repubblica – Path of the Ancient Republic
From S Lazzaro (Agerola) to Vettica Minore (Amalfi) (2km – low difficulty).
From the viewpoint of S. Lazzaro (Agerola) going down the ancient stairways you arrive to Tovere and further on to Vettica Minore (Amalfi).
From here you can follow on to the beach of Santa Croce.
Sentiero dei tre Calli – Path of the three Callus
From Bomerano (Agerola) to Monte Tre Calli via Paipo and Capo Muro following the ridge of the mountain Calabrice (6km low difficulty).
From the center of Bomerano (Agerola) take the road to the location Pendola, following then to Paipo.
The path passes through a farm at Paipo (of the Bourbon period) and continues up to the saddle of Capo Muro.
Here turn south along the ridge of the mountain Calabrice, arriving at Mountain Tre Calli from where you can admire a panoramic view to Agerola and the Amalficoast.
Sentiero delle Fonti-Path of sources
From Campora (Agerola) Source Acqua Vracciara at 1000m altitude along the river Penise (5km – low difficulty).
At Campora (Agerola), close to the source Acqua Leggia, begins the path along the river Penise, in a green valley between chestnut trees.
Along the route you will meet ancient rock shelters and ruins of an old bourbon powder magazine, the sources Fiubana, San Giuliano, Acqua Fredda and at 1.000m altitude, the source of Acqua Vracciara, from where you can admire a beautiful view of the Gulf of Naples.
Sentiero Cima dello Sparviero – the peak of sparrohawk
From Campora (Agerola) to Colle delle Vene (6km – low difficulty).
From the square S. Martino in Campora (Agerola), taking an ancient mulepath that arrives at Pontechito, with a wonderful view to the entire Agerola basin.
Continuing through the chestnut forest, you reach the peaks of Colle dello Spaviero and Colle delle Vene, from where you have a magnificent view to Amalfi, Ravello and the Gulf of Salerno.
Sentiero dell’Alba – Path of Dawn
From S. Lazzaro (Agerola) to the convent of Cospita passing valley “Valle Vocito” (2km – medium difficulty)
From the center of S. Lazzaro take the paved road to Radicosa, then the ancient mulepath with steps towards Monte Murillo, surrounding it south-east, you reach the Vallone Vocito and turn south to the Convent of Cospita.
Sentiero Denti del Gigante – Path of Giant’s Tooth
From Pianillo (Agerola) to Monte S. Angelo a Tre Pizzi (7km – high difficulty).
Behind the church of S. Pietro at Pianillo (Agerola) begins the mulepath that climbs to Locoli and Colle Sughero, where it joins the “Alta Via dei Monti Lattari – the high path of the mountains “Monti Lattari”.
From there, following west to turn around the rocky pyramid of Mount S. Angelo a Tre Pizzi, you arrive to the cave and the source of Acqua Santa.
From here you can climb up the highest of the three peaks.
Agerola – Acquolella – Pogerola – Amalfi
From San Lazzaro (Agerola), almost halfway between the square of the panoramic viewpoint, you go left towards the castle Lauritano.
After a few meters you leave the roadfork at the right for the castle from where there is a breathtaking panoramic view.
Then go straight to the end of the paved road.
Here you change on a path, but it continues to rise.
Arriving at the higher part, but not at the top of Monte Murillo (910m altitude at the left side) take the path on the right going down.
After about 500m the path joins the “Alta Via dei Monti Lattari – the high path of the mountains “Monti Lattari” near a river and you continue to go right on.
After a while the path flattens and remains at high altitude for a long stretch going around the whole valley.
Shortly before leaving the valley turn right at the junction of Madonna dei Fuondi and then proceed to the saddle of Monte Molegnano where the valley of the source of Acquolella starts.
Once left the valley continue for about 500m and you come to a roadcross.
On the right you go to Pogerola of Amalfi (or Madonna dei Fuondi) along a long panoramic path almost flat and then descend using a wide path.
Instead, if you continue straight down at the roadcross, after passing a limekiln along the path you reach the top of the Valle delle Ferriere.
Here you can go straight on to Scala or Pontone, or turn right and reach easily in half an hour to Pogerola (2km).
From Pogerola you can continue be in Amalfi in less than half an hour using a comfortable, well-maintained ancient mulepath.
Ravello – Atrani via Valle del Dragone (1.30 hours Difficulty: Low)
From Piazza Duomo go along Via Roma to the church of Santa Maria a Gradillo.
Immediately after the church, turn left and go down the stairs to the paved street.
Crossing the road you will find a stairway with the indication “To Amalfi”. Here starts the descent to Atrani.
After a five-minutes-walk, you come back again to the paved road.
Cross it and proceed downhill for at about 500 meters until a second indication “to Amalfi” and another stairway.
Go down, pass through a small arcade of a building and follow on until you meet the way-cross Ravello – Pontone.
Here, turn right after the first corner, you will reach a small crossroad where the path to Atrani begins.
Towards the end of the path, before entering Atrani, you can see the old cemetery beside the church of Carmine.
Past the church all paths lead to Piazza Umberto I, in the center of Atrani.
Ravello – Pontone – Torre dello Ziro – Valle delle Ferriere – Amalfi (2.30 hours, low difficulty)
From Piazza Duomo you go along Via Roma and to the church of Santa Maria a Gradillo.
Immediately after the church, turn left and descend the stairs to the paved street.
You cross it and take a stairway with a sign “To Amalfi”.
After a walk of about five minutes, you come back to the paved road.
Cross it and proceed downhill for about 500 meters until you find another sign “To Amalfi” and another stairway.
Go down, passing through a small arcade of a building.
After you passed, turn right and continue going along the road until you reach the square of Pontone.
Here, leaving the entrance to the church of San Giovanni behind, take the stairs to Via Fritto.
Proceed along this road for about 10 minutes, until another stairway that leads to Amalfi.
This route offers a choice between two very interesting tours.
One leads to the Torre dello Ziro, one of the ancient watch towers on the coast, strategically situated above the town of Amalfi, with a beautiful view on Atrani and Amalfi.
The other is the path into Valle delle Ferriere.
To get to the Torre dello Ziro, before arriving in the square of Pontone, take the path on the left of the paved road and follow the signs to the tower.
After the church of Santa Maria del Carmine, you climb a series of steps that mark the beginning of the path through the Mediterranean scrub forest.
To visit the Valle delle Ferriere instead, leave Pontone at the right, continue along the paved road leading inside the valley (about 2 km).
This path leads to the river with its waterfalls and an ancient ironfactory.
From here the path follows the river with his ancient papermills to Amalfi.
Ravello – Convento di San Nicola – Minori (3 hours, low difficulty)
The path reaches, through the valley “Valle di Sambuco”, the ancient monastery of St. Nicola and ends in the center of the village Minori.
Reached the locality Sambuco, past the paved road, you reach to the convent of S. Nicola along a wide path through a low wood-forest.
It is situated on the summit of a prominent hill overlooking the valleys of Minori and Maiori.
The convenient location makes it an ideal place to admire, in a 360 ° panoramic view the wide scene from the headlands of Capo d’Orso and the contours of the inner Ravello, Scala, the Valley of Tramonti and the ancient sanctuary of Madonna dell’Avvocata.
A well-marked path takes you through a forest of chestnut trees and reaches an ancient paved path, which follows for the most of the time along the course of the river Sambuco, now channeled right into the center of Minori.
After passing through a farm-village and part of the valley, follow the ancient stairways until you reach the center of Minori.
Ravello – Torello – Minori (1.30 hours Difficulty: Low)
At the left of the Villa Rufolo is Via Annunziata.
Here begins the first stairway due to be done.
After passing the Church of Annunziata, you arrive to the paved road, cross it and take another stairway leading up to Torello.
After a walk of about 3 minutes, you arrive at the church of San Pietro alla Costa.
Along the road to Torello, you can choose between two paths both arriving at Minori.
The first goes down in Via S. Croce on the left, which leads to the ruins of the ancient church of Santa Croce and a group of buildings Villamena with the church of San Gennaro.
Alternatively, the other path, leads to the square of Torello, where there is the church of S. Michele Arcangelo.
Continuing the stairs you get down to Minori.
Ravello – Torello – Atrani – Amalfi (2.30 hours, low difficulty)
The path starts from Via Annunziata, whose entrance is on the left of the entrance of Villa Rufolo.
Using the stairways, you reach the church of Annunziata on the right.
Continuing down you get to the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie.
Here you turn right into Via S. Andrea Pendolo, pass Villa Barluzzi, and you continue to go down and then turn left.
In the vicinity of the road, before crossing it, you find Porta Donica.
Cross the road, turn left and proceed for about 7 minutes to the church of S. Pietro alla Costa.
Continue down the stairs, towards Torello.
After a few meters you reach the square of Torello, from here take Via Marmorata, its entrance is located on the right side of the church.
Follow down the way and take care to turn right into Via Vallone Casanova.
Continue the path, passing under some lemons, olive groves and vineyards.
After walking for about 10 minutes, at a green gate with the inscription “Vincenzo Della Mura”, you take the stairs down until you reach the road.
You cross it, turn left and go straight for 150 meters until you reach a stairway on the right.
Go up, follow the path and cross the road again and take the steps that descend at the left, leading to Castiglione.
On the way it is possible to admire a small religious fresco, here turn right and follow the stairs.
Once you arrive at the church Chiesa del Carmine, turn right again and go down to the square Piazza Umberto I in the center of Atrani.
Cross the square, turn left and pass under a small tunnel, then continue along the road and climb up the last stairway, passing by restaurant Zaccharia on the left, the road arrives at Amalfi.
Tramonti – Monte Cerreto – Ravello (6 hours)
The route is relatively steep, through winding paths to reach the summit of Monte Cerreto at 1316m.
From here the view extends over the entire dorsal variously corrugated going down to the sea, separating the valley of Tramonti from the valley of Cava and the coastal villages.
Here fragments of history appear: the outer wall of the castle of Santa Maria La Nova, built on a hill of Tramonti, a defense tower guarding the pass “valico di Chiunzi”, and the ruins of a castle high up between the valleys of river Sambuco and river Reginna.
Continuing south you arrive at the end of the valley through tuffaceous sections and slightly crooked paths down a wooded slope crossed by two rivers nearly dry.
Passing the first houses and the first vineyards, the path climbs up and down by steep stairs and arrives into the center of Ravello.
Scala – Campidoglio – S. Maria dei Monti (4 hours, medium difficulty)
Starting from the main square of Scala the path leads down the aincent staircase through the village, gardens and vineyards, leading to Campidoglio with the ancient church of S. Giovanni Battista.
Continuing in the direction of Punta d’Aglio the path offers a beautiful panorama of Amalfi and Atrani and follows up to a flat rocky ridge and you continue along the well marked path that leads to S. Maria dei Monti at 1039m.
About half an hour away you find the source of Vrecciale.
Pontone (Scala) – Torre dello Ziro – Atrani
Dalla piazzetta di Pontone, si prende il sentiero sulla sinistra della strada asfaltata e si seguono le indicazioni per la Torre dello Ziro.
Passata la chiesetta di Santa Maria del Carmine, si salgono una serie di scalinate fino alla porta d’ingresso.
Dopo la porta si salgono pochi altri scalini, qui c’è il primo belvedere: di fronte in alto si ammira Villa Cimbrone di Ravello e ai nostri piedi c’è il vallone del torrente Dragone.
Si prosegue passando la pineta fino ad arrivare sul belvedere sopra la Torre dello Ziro.
Per scendere ad Atrani si torna indietro, passando la porta d’ingresso ed imboccando la scalinata che porta alla costa.
Il sentiero è praticamente l’unico e dopo aver attraversato il rivolo si prosegue in discesa sul lato sinistro lungo comode stradine pavimentate fino al centro storico di Atrani.
Minori – Convento di S.Nicola – Minori (2 ore, difficoltà bassa)
Il convento di San Nicola, nel territorio del Comune di Minori, sorge su una collina al centro di una serie di valli che tagliano perpendicolarmente la catena dei Monti Lattari, ed al cui sbocco si trovano gli insediamenti di Maiori, Minori, Atrani ed Amalfi.
Benché il punto di osservazione non sia molto elevato, lo sguardo spazia su uno scenario bellissimo: da oriente le frastagliate cime di monte Sant’Angelo, monte Finestra, i monti del Demanio e l’Avvocata; di fronte la vallata del Reginna Minor e l’abitato di Minori; sul lato occidentale, lo sperone roccioso su cui sono adagiati Ravello e Scala ed infine il mare fino al Capo di Conca.
Il convento è raggiungibile attraverso sentieri che hanno origine dalle varie località su cui la struttura domina: Tramonti, Maiori, Minori e Ravello.
L’itinerario descritto richiede un tempo di percorrenza maggiore, ma risulta estremamente suggestivo.
Il percorso ha inizio da Minori, il cui abitato si attraversa per l’intera lunghezza fino a giungere alla via delle Antiche Cartiere, da qui ha inizio una scala comoda, mista a sentiero in terra battuta o lastricato in pietra locale.
Passando accanto alle antiche strutture si raggiunge Sambuco, una frazione di Ravello.
Dopo Sambuco, il sentiero si inerpica attraverso boschi e macchia meditteranea.
Il percorso costeggia poi antiche costruzioni adibite ad ovili o ad abitazioni come il cosiddetto Mandrino, casa contadina abbandonata, e raggiunge agevolmente il convento di San Nicola.
Per la discesa dal convento si possono utilizzare vari sentieri a seconda della meta che si vuole raggiungere: uno dei più interessanti è quello che attraverso la località Torre conducendo fino all’abitato di Minori.
Maiori – Santuario dell’Avvocata(Avvocata Sanctuary) (2.30 hours medium difficulty)
You start the walk from Via Casale Alto inside Maiori and takes you to S.Vito via a staircase path alterned with clay-path.
After about half an hour you will reach the ruins the old farm house of Santa Maria and shortly after the source called “Acqua del Castagno – chestnut water”.
The path continues alternating flat stretches with light asperities and passes or close the “Grottone – Big Cave) or close to the “Tiglio” (a giant and ancient lime tree), depending on whether you choose one of two alternative paths to a vast plateau.
Here is situated the Sanctuary of Avvocata.
Particularly fascinating is the path that leads to the viewpoint, a real balcony over the Gulf of Salerno.
Along the narrow path we can see some interesting things such as the cave “Grotta Matteo Salese”, a brigant who, according to legend, launched himself down to escape from the policemen who had surrounded him after a long chase.
Valle del Demanio (3 hours – low difficulty)
The valley “Valle del Demanio”, located in territory of the village Maiori, is characterized by the presence of two distinct small streams, named “Acqua Calda – warm water” and “Rio Demanio” flowing in two converging incisions by the source of Demanio, after a several of hundred meters, flow into the Reginna.
The path starts from the source at the end of the paved road, climbs up left to Colle Paternoster (outcrop that separates the two small valleys of the Demanio) and goes along the river Demanio until you reach a mountain chalet, near which you see the small watercourse.
Turn right, continue for a lush forest and follow the well- marked path to get to the “jogging path”, created by the local mountain community.
From here, following the indications, after about one hour’s walk, you reache another chalet, called “baita del pastore – shepherds chalet”).
Here you go down to the dense forest of Ponticchio with his omonimous source.
Follow on to “Pietre bianche – White Stones” and “Sant’Angelo” to the ruins of Santa Maria, dominated by the bulk Monte Avvocata.
From here you can easily reach the underlying Maiori.
Maiori – S.Vito – Badia – Monte Piano (3 hours low difficulty)
Starting from Via Casale Alto inside Maiori taking a staircase, at the beginning quite steep and getting fairly flat at the end, you reach San Vito.
From San Vito you turn right to the source of Scalese.
Here the path joins an old pedestrian road that led to Salerno.
The wide and comfortable path passes a place known as “int lauro”, runs through the valley of the abbey of Santa Maria de Olearia, through a pine forest until reaching the top ridge of Monte Capo d’Orso.
From here the view extends from one side over the whole Amalficoast to Punta Campanella and the island of Capri and on the other side to the Gulf of Salerno.
