The Amalfi Coast Walk

Activity Level

Moderate

Activity

Walking & Trekking

Overview

This ever-popular self-guided walking holiday explores the Sorrentine peninsula below the gracious crescent of the Bay of Naples.

Travelling at your own pace, you’ll combine the elegance of eternal favourites like Ravello, Positano and Sorrento with discoveries most travellers never make such as farmers harvesting olives, fishermen crouched over brightly painted boats mending their nets and the bird’s eye view of the entire peninsula from the Path of the Gods above Positano.

From Ravello, whose exotic formal gardens at Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone seem to float ethereally between sea and sky, your route takes you first to Positano’s chic pastel houses and enticing pebble beach. It’s then on to Marina del Cantone, and the hidden shingle coves few visitors ever find. Finally you reach cliff-top Sorrento. With balcony views over Vesuvius, it’s a great base to visit Pompeii or Herculaneum by train, or Capri or Ischia by boat.

Key Information

Trip Code: W08AC
Ways to Travel: Self-Guided Holidays
Countries: Italy

What's Included

All accommodation
All breakfasts
Luggage transfers between hotels
Navigation app
Walking transfers

5 days of Walking & Trekking

Terrain:

This holiday follows stone steps, coastal paths and some forest trails. You need to be a reasonably fit and confident walker, as the frequent ascents and descents, particularly on the coastal paths, make this a more demanding holiday than the distances suggest. On day 3 guests with a fear of heights may have problems with certain sections. Walkers with knee problems may have difficulty descending the stone steps and walking poles are strongly recommended.

Day 2: 10 km / 6.2 miles
Day 3: 11 km / 6.8 miles
Day 5: 15 km / 9.3 miles
Day 6: 6 km / 3.7 miles
Day 7: 8 km / 5 miles

Highlights

Emerald seas, plunging gorges, balcony views of Vesuvius brooding on the horizon
Vertical landscape of pastel villages clinging to dramatic hillsides
Stunning walking trails through lemon groves, olive trees and vines; swimming possibilities most days
Stay in elegant Amalfi, Positano and Sorrento
Option to visit the enchanted isle of Ischia, Capri or fascinating Pompeii

Itinerary

First Destination: Amalfi
Next Destination: Sorrento

Meals included:None

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: Amalfi
Next Destination: Sorrento

Arrive at your 4 star hotel in Ravello. There’s time for a dip in the swimming pool, offering stunning views, before dinner (Pay locally for dinner).
You stay at the Hotel Villa Fraulo (breakfast included)

Descend through citrus groves to Torre dello Ziro (the Saracen watchtower inspired Webster’s Duchess of Malfi), then continue along panoramic terraces, to enter the Valley of the Mills (a testament to Amalfi’s medieval paper industry) to world renowned Amalfi. A 20 min bus ride (pay locally) to return to picture perfect Ravello, where you can end the day with a visit to the famous Villa Rufolo and Greta Garbo’s legendary retreat, Villa Cimbrone.
You stay at the Hotel Villa Fraulo (breakfast included)

Meals included:Breakfast

We will drop you off in Bomerano to begin today’s walk which takes you along the Path of the Gods, the region’s most famous walk offering views all the way along the peninsula, with Capri’s famous Faraglioni cliffs marking ‘land’s end’. There’s a choice of picnic spots with stunning views as you continue onwards past lemon groves and brigands’ treasure troves to Nocelle. Then it’s down through lush terraces to the vertical pastel town of Positano and your hotel in the historic centre.
You stay at the Hotel l’Ancora (breakfast included)

Meals included:Breakfast

Positano’s wide pebble beach is perfect for a lazy day, but if you fancy exploring further afield there’s a pleasant walk to Fornillo Bay with its twin Saracen watchtowers. Boat excursions to discover coral lined sea grottoes, as well as trips to the magical mediterranean island of Capri, are available in the harbour.
You stay at the Hotel l’Ancora (breakfast included)

Meals included:Breakfast

We take you into the hills near Fontanelle (30 mins) from where you wind through olive trees as you climb gently to Sant’Agata. There are balcony views – making this a fantastic picnic stop – of Capri, Procida and the Li Galli islands, once considered to be the home of the mythical sirens who lured sailors onto the rocks. A paved lane finally leads you down past geranium-decked houses to the small fishing resort of Marina del Cantone.
You stay at the Taverna del Capitano (breakfast included)

Optional shorter walk: 4.5hrs, distance 12km/7.5mi

Meals included:Breakfast

You’ll be tempted to linger in this pretty little village with its pebble beach lapped by incredibly azure waters, but it’s a shame to miss out on our optional walk on the gorgeous Jeranto Bay. There are sea views throughout as you climb to the Montalto Tower, perched on its 100m-high cliff-top outcrop with a truly fabulous panorama over Marina del Cantone and the Li Galli islands. You then descend through olive groves and olive growers’ dwellings to an atmospheric ancient limestone quarry, with great sea views, before a final ascent back to your hotel.
You stay at the Taverna del Capitano (breakfast included)

Meals included:Breakfast

We give you a lift (15 mins) to Termini from where you wind through olive groves with ever-opening views over the Bay of Naples and its islands, Capri, Ischia and Procida. It’s well worth the detour to lovely little Annunziata to visit its pretty Aragonese castle for wonderful views. It’s then on to bustling, pastel-coloured Sorrento, with its enchanting gardens, maze of narrow streets and stunning views over to Vesuvius.
You stay at the Hotel Continental (breakfast included)

Optional shorter walk: 3hrs, distance 7km/4.5mi

Meals included:Breakfast

Staying at your 4 star hotel panoramically overlooking Mount Vesuvius, you’re ideally placed to visit Naples or one of its islands, such as Ischia or Capri, by hydrofoil. Alternatively the historical sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum can be visited using the excellent Circumvesuviana Railway.
You stay at the Hotel Continental (breakfast included)

Meals included:Breakfast

The tour ends after breakfast in Sorrento.

Meals included:Breakfast

Dates & Prices

Skip the hassle: We’ll handle your trip from start to finish, with competitive flight prices, dates that suit you, 24-hour support, loyalty discounts, and peace of mind for delays or disruption.

Call us on 1 844 462 4317

Your Group, Your Adventure

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Accommodation

Hotels

You stay at carefully picked hotels throughout your Amalfi Coast walking trip.

They range from a beautifully restored villa with stunning sea views in Ravello, to an elegant 4 star hotel in Sorrento overlooking the panorama of the Bay of Naples.

For your evening meals you can choose to sample the hotel’s specialities or select one of the many fine local restaurants (all payable locally).

Lunch options are varied and include picnics in panoramic locations or a trattoria lunch, perhaps delicious mozzarella, grilled vegetables and fresh fish from the sea.

Essential Information

Average daily distance on move on days: 9.2km ( 5.9miles). Please note that these are the average distances for the shorter walks , however on two of the days there is the option to extend the walk.
No. of days Walking: 5 (Including two optional walks)
Terrain: This holiday follows stone steps, coastal paths and some forest trails. You need to be a reasonably fit and confident walker, as the frequent ascents and descents, particularly on the coastal paths, make this a more demanding holiday than the distances suggest. On day 3 guests with a fear of heights may have problems with certain sections. Walkers with knee problems may have difficulty descending the stone steps and walking poles are strongly recommended.

Vehicle Support: This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to walk independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodations, provide you with GPS route notes so that you can walk at your own pace.

As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There may be others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The route notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the local representative is normally able to dispatch a taxi. They may wish to charge for this service.

Alternative Air Travel
Alternative flights, onward rail to your holiday area, and connecting private transfers can be arranged from most UK airports. If you would like to use one of the many ‘low cost’ airlines, we can book these on your behalf (£30 admin fee per person). We can also book UK shuttles to connect with your onward flight, please call for details and prices.

Alternative transfers
If you require alternative transfers (because you will be arriving at a different time to our standard flights), then we can usually arrange these for you (there may be an additional charge).

Self Drive
We can arrange various channel crossings for you. Please call for details and prices.

Italy

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Italy. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/italy
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/italy
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Italy.html

Please note: it is compulsory to carry ID with you at all times in Italy.

The cuisine on the Bay of Naples uses the freshest vegetables and the famous mozzarella cheese is always on the menu. Try it in salad with sweet tomatoes, baked with aubergine slices or on its own with an accompaniment of herbs. Fresh fruit features heavily too – figs are often used in antipasti along with slices of ham and what better way to finish off a meal than with a slice of fresh water melon? Pizza is a favourite dish all over Italy, but nowhere more so than here (it was invented in Naples!). The thinnest of bases are cooked in the hottest of wood ovens and are garnished with a mouth-watering variety of toppings.

The Amalfi Coast itself is not a wine area as such: the terraces are often too high for the vines to flourish. The region of Campania, however, has a number of good wines from vineyards further inland. Vines flourish too in the rich soil near Mount Vesuvio. Look out for Lacrima Christi del Vesuvio.

Southern Italy, like much of the Mediterranean, has a hot, dry climate in summer and cooler but sometimes wet spring and autumn periods. Unseasonable cold spells and rain are possible at any time of year, so we recommend bringing some warm clothes, especially useful in Bomerano where evening temperatures can be lower than expected. Summer can be very hot with daytime temperatures in July and August reaching up to 34-37°C on the coast.

What to expect in the low season (October – March)
A common misconception about the Amalfi Coast is that it is very warm and year round. However, autumn and winter months may be cooler than you’d expect; although usually milder than Northern Italy, average temperatures in December, January and February range from lows of around 8°C to highs of 15-17°C. Travellers should be prepared for periods of colder weather (with temperatures sometimes dropping to 2°C) especially at higher elevations – there may even be snow atop the Lattari Mountains and sometimes in Bomerano itself! During the winter up to early spring there is also more rain than usual (with an average of one day in four affected) but there are still plenty of enjoyable crisp sunny days. Overall the Amalfi Coast is still a great destination in winter as the coastline is beautiful year-round and you have the chance to visit the sights without the summer crowds and traffic.

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.