Italy - Walking holiday along the Amalfi Coast, 6 days
The Amalfi Coast is probably Italy’s most beautiful coastline. Moreover, the Costiera Amalfitana is located on the southern side of the Sorrento Peninsula, protected from the cold northern winds by its impressive mountains, and therefore has a wonderful climate all year long. Therefore this tour is a good option for a great walk already in early Spring or in late Autumn.
The landscape is immensely varied and surrounded by infinite ever changing views. It can be typical Mediterranean, intoxicated by wild perfumed herbs, with myrtle shrubs, thyme, rosemary and mastic trees, or almost alpine with meadows and bare rocks. And there’s cultural heritage abound! Man has created a stunning mosaic terraced landscape, which nothing can compare with. And beautiful little churches, ruins of castles and old farmhouses are found all over… The Costiera Amalfitana is definitely Europe’s most dramatic stretch of coastline ! And the best thing is, everything can be discovered on foot! Everything you need on a walking holiday.
There are thousands of footpaths on the Amalfi coast, some which are famous such as the “Sentiero degli Dei” – the “Pathway of the Gods” – or are at least a thousand years old, like the “Maestra dei Villaggi” – the ‘main road’ of the medieval sea Republic of Amalfi. But also those less known are just as beautiful! Going from the sea to the mountains or vice versa, there are always stupendous views, and you’ll walk through little villages, vineyards and olive groves, Mediterranean scrubs and woods, living rocks and chestnut woods.
On this tour you will discover that with reason the Amalfi Coast has become Italy’s most famous coastline, but as well that it takes only a little effort to get ‘off the beaten track’, and that at only a few hundred metres away from the crowds, you will find yourself surrounded by nature.
About the route
This is a moderately easy tour which is suitable for those who have some experience with walking and a good general physical condition. Most of the walks are on good paths, some of them just recently restored by the local authorities. Part of the paths is waymarked. Elsewhere it is necessary to follow the route notes provided together with the maps.
Highlights on this tour
- Visit the famous villages of the coast: Amalfi & Ravello & Positano
- Enjoy a number of spectacular but relatively easy walks, like the 'Sentiero degli Dei' (Path of the Gods) and the 'Valley of the Mills'
- Stay in great hotels, in the heart of the tw most famous villages of the Amalfi Coast: Amalfi & Positano
Itinerary See all daysClose all days
You arrive at your hotel in Amalfi. We recommend a short visit to the town centre and perhaps a swim in the beautiful ocean.
Today you make a first easy walk, which gives you immediately a good idea of the amazing cultural and natural heritage of the Amalfi Coast. First you walk into the quiet little back alleys of Amalfi, where you still notice the strong Moorish influence. An ancient staircase takes you up underneath the impressive limestone cliffs, towards the little village of Pontone, part of the medieval defence system of the city of Amalfi. The main point of interest is the marvellous Torre dello Zirro, located on a narrow ridge, in a park like landscape, with unforgettable views of Amalfi to the one and Atrani to the other side. This area offers also a number of marvellous picnic places, all with dramatic views.
Then, through the charming village of Pontone itself, you walk into the ‘Valle dei Mulini’, the valley of the watermills, with the ruins of Europe’s most ancient paper mills, dating back to the 11th century. The comfortable footpath runs along the river course, in an abundant green, almost un-Italian, landscape. Those who want can penetrate deep into the valley, through spectacular scenery, underneath the towering cliffs, through an almost fairy tale like landscape. Here you can admire a number of beautiful waterfalls.
Then you return back down to Amalfi. The path gradually descends along a number of impressive ruins of what once were the first paper mills, adding a mysterious touch to the landscape. Along the last stretch the scenery changes to lemon groves and maquis. Back down in Amalfi you can opt for a unique Lemon Tour and pass at the paper museum, before returning to your hotel. As the walk is relatively short you now still have some time to wander around in Amalfi or take your time for a swim.
IMPORTANT FOR 2022: A landslide has blocked the footpath in the Valle dei Mulini (‘Valley of the Mills’) above Amalfi, just beyond the agriturismo ‘Fore Porta’. Therefore the walk into the area is possible until this point, but you can not walk further into the Valle delle Ferriere.
However, there are several alternative routes to reach the Valle delle Ferriere, from ‘above’.
Today you first take a local (open) bus up to the charming historic village of Ravello, one of the most exclusive villages of the Amalfi Coast, and a sought after place by artists over the centuries, as its lofty position and sunny, dry climate made it an appealing place to writers, artists, musicians and travellers from northern Europe. Boccaccio, DH Lawrence and Richard Wagner are among the more notable guests who have succumbed to its spells. Ravello not only has a very interesting history, and many medieval monuments, but also offers beautiful views over the Amalfi Coast. The French novelist, André Gide, once described the town as being ‘closer to the sky than the seashore’. Ravello also boasts two magnificent villas – the superb 11th century Villa Rufolo, once a papal residence and later, the home of Wagner, and Villa Cimbrone, a sumptuous 19th century mansion with fabulous gardens and unequalled views over the Gulf of Salerno.
You can take your time to your time to stroll through the village, before starting the walk back down to the coast. Along the dramatically located Villa Cimbrone and the hamlet of Castiglione you walk first through vineyards and lemon groves, then along a medieval flight of stairs down the beautiful little town of Atrani. This certainly is one of the best preserved villages of the coast, with the possibility to look around the narrow white little streets of the town centre. The last short stretch to Amalfi is very scenic and has beautiful viewpoints on the city centre. As the walk is relatively short you now still have some time to wander around in Amalfi or take your time for a swim.
Today you first take a local bus up to the small village of Bomerano, on the Agerola high plain. Here is the beginning of the famous ‘Sentiero degli Dei’ (‘Footpath of the Gods’), one of Italy’s most famous footpaths, and certainly a walk with unrivalled views. After a very panoramic stretch with views over the whole Amalfi Coast, stretching out as far as the island of Capri, you reach the junction for the monastery of San Domenico, set in stupendous scenery, dominating the coast from its hilltop (optional detour along a medieval pilgrim route).
You then continue on a more or less level path, through spectacular scenery with bizarre rock formations and luxurious vegetation. Here the ‘Sentiero degli Dei’ really lives up to its name! Through unique scenery with unrivalled views you reach the hamlet of Nocelle. Passing another spectacular valley you arrive in the little village of Montepertuso. After Montepertuso it’s only a short walk downstairs to Positano, but it will take you some time as there are too many photo opportunities along the route. Positano itself, is considered to be one of Italy’s most beautiful villages, and certainly one of the pearls of the Amalfi Coast. After a stroll through its alleys, you settle in your hotel in the centre, at walking distance from the large beach.
First you take the local bus up to Montepertuso, from where you start a very scenic walk, around the upper valley of Positano. Following ancient footpaths through the forest and along marvelous viewpoints you climb up towards Santa Maria al Castello, the old fortress defending the narrow valley between the Amalfi- and Sorrento-side of the peninsula. From here you can admire both the Gulf of Salerno and the Bay of Naples. Through a nice wooded area in a park like landscape you then descend to the Caserma Forestale (the forestry service’s house). For those who want there is the possibility to climb up from here to the Monte Sant’Angelo, the highest mountain of the peninsula, a very demanding but rewarding ascent. The standard walk though continues through the forest and zigzags back down to Montepertuso. Along another medieval mule track you then return to Positano again.
After breakfast you return by boat or bus and train to Naples and by shuttle bus to the airport. An extra night in a hotel can be booked upon request.
Price includes
- 3 nights in a hotel in Amalfi /w breakfast
- 2 nights in hotel in Positano /w breakfast
- 1 luggage transfer from Amalfi to Positano
- Detailed descriptions of the routes (route maps, info about attractions, as well as important phone numbers)
- 24-hour local and international service hotline for the duration of the tour
- This is a packaged holiday and is therefore covered by The Travel Guarantee Fund - See which benefits this means for you - click here
- Transportation to/from Italy
- Local busses
- Handling fee (20 euro)
Video
Here you can see a short video about our walking holiday along the Amalfi Coast.Practical info
The price is based upon two people sharing. It is also possible travel alone in a single room.
On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.
Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill in anything. Here's how:
- Choose your desired start date
- Click on the green button "See price and reserve your holiday" and go to the booking form
- Select number of people, add any optional extras and see the price at the bottom of the page (you don't have to fill in anything on the form).
Get a quote
For example, if you want a flight included or changes to the trip, you can order a quote for this using the "Get a quote" button. Remember to describe in detail what, if anything, you want changed.
The process of your booking
When you book, we will start booking hotels and arranging all the practical details of the trip. This process typically takes 2-5 working days, but some bookings may take longer. If you are arranging your own transport, we recommend that you wait until we have confirmed your booking before arranging this.
Dates
If you can select the date in the tour calendar at the top of this page, this is a possible start date. We continually update the tours with sold-out dates, after which those dates will turn red and cannot be selected.
The flights to/from Rome or Naples are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.
Rome or Napoli is the most accessible airports for Amalfi.
The tour from Rome/Napoli to Salerno, is most easily made by train. On www.trenitalia.com it is easy to get an overview of timetables and destinations on the Italian trains (Rome/Salerno takes between 2-3 hours, Napoli/Salerno takes about 40 minutes). Since it is difficult to purchase or change tickets online, we recommend that you buy them directly from the ticket machines at the train station before departure.
Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.
Book a quote
If you prefer that we handle your flight, then we would be happy to arrange this for you. You simply book a quote below the map on this page and we will return with a quote as soon as possible (usually within 48 working hours). Please note that we add a handling fee of 45 euro to each flight and this means that the flight will be cheaper if you book it yourself.
Local Transportation
The local SITA bus tickets can be purchased in the small tabaccio and news stands near the busstops. Also ask here for the most updated timetables. The cost of tickets are 1-3 euros.
Tickets for any of the costal cruises from Positano can be purchased right on the waterfront, from the booths of the operating companies.
You will stay three nights in Amalfi, two nights in Praiano and two nights in Positano, all on nice tourist class hotels. Breakfast is included.
Breakfast is included every day. It is easy to find lunch in the small villages before the walks and you will have plenty of choices for dinner in the many restaurants.
Luggage transfer is included on this tour. Upon arrival at the first hotel you will be given luggage tags along with the rest of the welcome package. You fill out the luggage tags and put them on your bags where they will remain for the duration of the tour.
Your luggage is picked up from the hotel lobby around 9am in the morning and will arrive at your next hotel at 6pm at the latest (often long before that). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer you will be notified upon arrival.
Luggage transfer includes one bag per guest and the bags can weigh 20kg each.
The daily walking tours as described in the itinerary is level 2. As you are walking individually without a guide, it is possible to make your own desicions on how far you want to proceed from day to day, or whether you want to use the local buses on parts of the routes. Read more about our grading system here.
You will recieve the following documentation
Upon booking
You recieve practical information about the tour in a digital format
One month before arrival
You recieve your hotel list and your voucher (hotel list is often supplied upon booking)
Upon arrival
You recieve the welcome package which contains the printed version of the road book, luggage tags, local specific vouchers and if you have rented bikes then they will also be delivered and fitted at the first hotel.
Here you can get an overview of the entire route and the elevation profile for each day. The data shows the data from the GPX-files related to the tour. Notice that the routes are sometimes updated, which means that there might be small variations.
Colors
Blue routes: The route as normal
Red routes: Variations/options (such as shortened or extended routes)
It can be hard to plan your trip according to the weather, but to give an idea of the local climate, see data below:
Statistics for Amalfi as seen on www.yr.no
We are members of the Travel Guarantee Fund (nr. 2529) and have all available insurances. Read more about that here.
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Phone: +44 20 3936 1208
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