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With its incredible coastline the Amalfi region is an ideal destination for this relaxed walking holiday. Staying on a family-run farm, we take a variety of day walks across cliff-tops, vineyards and national parks, including the celebrated ‘Walk of the Gods’ from Bomerano to Positano. There is also time to explore cultural highlights such as Amalfi, Positano and Capri. We return at night to home-cooked Italian cuisine.
Special Highlights
Trip Highlights
Among the many highlights featured on this tour, we particularly mention:
LUNA D’AGEROLA – a beautiful Agriturismo (farmhouse) where we stay with the family
GENTLE WALKS AND SPECTACULAR SCENERY – passing through quaint villages
POSITANO, AMALFI, CAPRI & POMPEII
ITALIAN FOOD AND WINE – rustic southern Italian style food, home grown at the farm
Trip Summary
Well-known as home to some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the world, the Amalfi Coast has a mix of wonderful walking, chic towns and picturesque coved beaches. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it is a favourite destination for Italian holiday makers and Hollywood stars who come to seek out chic hillside towns, the relaxed atmosphere and wonderful sea-views.
Walking along high cliffs, through pretty woodlands and along ancient pathways that connect the villages, we explore this region at a relaxed pace taking time to see the cultural sites. Avoiding the crowded sweltering summer months, we walk in spring, early summer and the autumn when the weather is warm and the evenings cool. Our base is at San Lazzaro, a small town at 650 metres with wonderful views across the Bay of Salerno. Most of the walks are downhill towards the sea and we return each evening to our base: the higher altitude means that it is cooler than at the coast. None of the walks are too tough and we aim to do no more than 4 or 5 hours each day giving you ample time to enjoy the Italian experience. There is a built-in ‘free-day’ for you to visit Vesuvius and Pompeii, take further walks or spend the day on the beach.
Our base is an Agriturismo called Luna d’Agerola - a working farm that has guests staying in the house. The small farm is run by Ferdinando and his whole family: they are relaxed and friendly and it is an ideal way to get to know the Italians well. The home-grown fruit, vegetables and nuts, meats and wines are delicious. Breakfast and some picnics are provided and the evening meals are a fixed 3 or 4-course Italian menu. The good food is simple, rustic and typical of southern Italy. There may also be opportunities to watch the family make meals. We can cater for vegetarians if advised before departure, but special dietary needs unfortunately cannot be accommodated. The rooms are well-appointed and have private bathrooms. It is worth brushing up on a few words of Italian before your trip so that you can converse with the family. Please note that all the farm animals are well away from the main house. The rooms are well-appointed with private bathrooms and sea views.
Itinerary
[+] Detailed Itinerary
Day 1:
Join tour Naples airport. Transfer to San Lazzaro.
Arriving at Naples Airport we transfer to San Lazzaro (650m) in 1-1.5 hours. The farm is beautifully located only a few metres from the cliffs affording magnificent views of the Bay of Salerno.
Overnight Farmstay (H+)
Included meals: Dinner
Day 2:
A warm-up ridge walk above the Agerola Plain
Walking from the farm, we head up onto a ridge and gently gain a height of 900m. Continuing along the ridge we pass thorough a thick woodland and have views of the Agerola plain and Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples to the north. The walk is circular and we descend to the small hamlet of Santa Maria before heading back to San Lazzaro.
Approx walking time 5 hours (10 km, 400m ascent, 400m descent). This walk is graded Moderate.
Overnight Farmstay (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3:
Walk to Amalfi along the ‘Ancient Republic’s Path’
From the farm we head to a path that leads from the cliff-top through steep terraces towards the coast. This is an ancient pathway and for many years was the only way to get from Agerola to Amalfi, before the coastal road was built. There are plenty of places to stop and admire the sea-views as we descend a series of steps and meander through ancient alleyways. We arrive in Amalfi in time for lunch. The stunning harbour town has lots of curio shops, cafes, gelaterias and the impressive Duomo di Sant Andrea (St Andrew’s cathedral). The remarkable baroque interior dates back to the 11th century and was built next to the beautifully restored ancient Roman basilica. The afternoon is free to explore the town or swim from the public beach. We head back to San Lazarro by public bus.
Approx walking time 2.5 hours (7 km, 650m descent). This walk is graded Easy.
Overnight Farmstay (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Swimming available
Day 4:
A day-trip to the island of Capri
We take an early bus to Amalfi to catch the boat to Capri. This is a wonderful journey where we can admire the Amalfi Coast from the sea: the spectacular cliffs are dotted with tiny villages and towns. Although Capri is only 7km long and 3 km wide, it has cliffs that rise to almost 600m above the network of winding streets, grand houses and kitchen gardens. We take a pretty walk through the alleyways and on to the coast where we have superb views of the mainland and see magnificent limestone cliffs rising out of the Meditteranean. There will be time to explore the main town with its boutiques, cafés and restaurants or even visit Emperor Tiberius' palace before heading back by boat to Amalfi. The evening is free for you to eat at a restaurant in Amalfi or in San Lazarro.
Approx walking time 3 hours (6-10 km, 400m ascent, 400m descent). This walk is graded Easy.
Please note that if the weather is deemed to rough, the ferry to Capri will not operate. Instead we will visit the beautiful hilltop town of Ravello and take a 2 hour walk along the Amalfi coast.
Overnight Farmstay (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 5:
Walk to Pogerola via the Ferriere National Park
Walking behind the farmhouse we take a limestone stairway above the town leading to the coastal edge. There are great views towards Salerno and of the villages and towns below. Contouring round, we pass pretty woodlands and small valleys before crossing into the Vallone di Ferriere. Surrounded by high limestone cliffs, the valley extends 4km inland from the sea and, owing to its proximity to the sea and enclosed cliffs, has a unique micro-climate giving rise to plants not normally found here. We contour round a well established path passing small waterfalls, a pretty river and have some spectacular views of the Valley and the Coast. We descend to Amalfi from where we catch the bus back to San Lazzaro.
Approx walking time 5 hours (10 km, 200m ascent, 850m descent). This walk is graded Moderate.
Overnight Farmstay (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Swimming available
Day 6:
A free day to visit Pompeii and Vesuvius
Today is a scheduled free day where you can relax close to the farmhouse or take a trip to see Pompeii. Devastated by a volcanic eruption in AD79, Pompeii has become a museum-piece of life in a Roman city with much of the town preserved in the volcanic ash. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site it has perfectly-preserved paved streets, buildings and frescoes. Looming above the ancient town is Mount Vesuvius – which last erupted in 1944. You can take a trip with a guide towards the crater. Please note that the trip to Pompeii is optional and organised locally when you are on the holiday: you pay for it when you are there and you do not need to book it in advance. Another option for today is to pay a visit to the town of Ravello, a tranquil spot located high on a rocky promontory overlooking the azure waters off the coast. A glorious mix of Moorish flair and aristocratic excess, the town’s captivating charms have attracted artists and writers to its enchanting streets for generations.
Overnight Farmstay (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 7:
The ‘Walk of the Gods’ to Positano; scenic boat ride to Amalfi
Often the highlight of the trip, the Walk of the Gods is justifiably regarded as one of the greatest coastal walks in the world. The high cliff path contours west with magnificent views of the whole Bay of Salerno and to Capri. The trail passes under huge limestone cliffs and above stone farmhouses, old and new, until Nocelle – a tiny village with a small piazza. From here it is a big descent down an ancient stairway alongside flower gardens to Positano. A poor fishing village until the 1950’s, Positano has grown into a chic town that is still a favourite with Hollywood stars: there is a maze of boutiques, cafés, art galleries and, of course, the beach. There is plenty of time to enjoy the town before we complete our Amalfi coast exploration and head back to the Agritourismo for our final evening.
Approx walking time 5 hours (8 km, 650m descent). This walk is graded Moderate.
Overnight Farmstay (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Swimming available
Day 8:
Tour ends Naples Airport
Transferring back to Naples this morning, the tour ends back where we started, at the city’s international airport.
Included meals: Breakfast
