The Amalfi Coast’s charm lies in its vibrant colours, rugged landscapes and twilight golden hour, however, to truly grasp the character of these little towns, you must grab your walking shoes. With numerous trails starting from the colourful towns of Positano, Amalfi and Scala, you’ll step into a world of endless horizons, abandoned mills and waterfalls that lie deep within the Mediterranean forests.
Dating back to the Roman era, Amalfi was once one of the maritime republics of Italy, competing with trading ports with stabilised central and northern trading ports like Genoa and Venice, Amalfi even created an economy that generated the use of its very own currency, the Tari.
Amalfi’s role as a centre of trading plummeted due to the plague, bringing its status down to the sleepy fishing villages we see today. The Amalfi Coast trails will take you along the coastlines that attracted seafarers from afar, tracing the footsteps of maritime history.
Walking the Amalfi Coast will take you from village to village allowing you to embrace the stark contrast of pastels against the rugged nature of Amalfi’s hiking trails. The villages of the Amalfi Coast are staggered by orchards and vineyards that fuel the Amalfi Coast’s food scene as well as the waterfalls and abandoned fortresses that are not quite expected.
Your Amalfi Coast walking holiday can start in any of the villages found here, whether you are looking to start in the capital, Amalfi itself or the smaller, yet equally beautiful Positano, there are numerous Amalfi Coast trails that can be adapted to suit a range of abilities and holiday styles. Here’s a rundown of some of the most sought-after Amalfi Coast walking trails.
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What You Need to Know to Get Your Amalfi Coast Walking Holiday in Motion
Best explored in either Autumn or Spring, hiking the various trails of the Amalfi Coast offers an alternative to your Italian holidays as you immerse yourself in the untouched nature of Italy’s coast lines. With a variety of trails available, most of the hiking trails on the Amalfi Coast require a moderate level of fitness, however, further explorations may require a little more training.
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Hiking Amalfi Coast, the Path of the Gods
The Path of the Gods, locally known as Sentiero delle Dei, is arguably the most famous of the Amalfi Coast trails, and the most frequented hiking trail in Italy, attracting thousands of walkers a year. While the stunning coastal Amalfi Coast rightly warrants some attention, hiking the Amalfi Coast on the Path of the Gods is best done out of season when temperatures are lower and there are less hikers following your tail.
The trail was first cut into the coastline by the Greek settlers of the 8th century. Perched high on the mountains looking out across the coastline, the Path of the Gods presents you with unrivalled views of Amalfi. Sentiero delle Dei is the most popular of the Amalfi Coast walking trails because of its relatively flat terrain, making it suitable for all fitness abilities. Only a moderate level of fitness is required for a safe and enjoyable trek in the Amalfi Coast.
Starting in Agerola and descending down to the quaint village Nocelle, at the beginning of the trail there is some tricky and sometimes a little hairy terrain before you reach the well-paved pathways. Following the sign for Nocelle, you’ll have views stretching out to the island of Capri, Positano and the Sorrentine Peninsula – as far as Amalfi hiking trails go, this is definitely the most picturesque. As you continue, you’ll find terraced fields carved into the mountains and endless views across the Mediterranean.
Great oak and chestnut trees will create a blanket of cool shade over you as you enter Nocelle, marking the end of the Amalfi walk. However, if you are still feeling up for the challenge at the end of your Amalfi Coast trek, you can descend the 1,700 steps to finish on Arienzo Beach in Positano. Don’t know about you, but we love a trek that finishes with water!
Not ready to leave just yet?
You could extend your Amalfi Coast walking holiday with a journey up to Milan like this 10-Day Amalfi Coast, Rome, Tuscany and Milan tour that takes you to some of the best locations in Italy. You can adapt this tour to best suit your requirements to ensure you make the most out of your Italian experience.
Amalfi Coast Path of Gods Trail Distance
6.4 kilometres.
Duration of This Amalfi Coast Trail
Three hours.
Amalfi Walk in Punta Campanella
An Amalfi Coast trail that is drenched in Greek mythology, Punta Campanella is said to have been where Ulysses met the Sirens in Odysseus or Brother Where Art Thou, depending on what you are more familiar with! The Amalfi Coast route brings together the Sorrentine Peninsula and Amalfi itself.
The Amalfi hiking trail starts in Termini, a small Sorrentine town that sits high in the mountains, looking out to the island of Capri. From here, the Amalfi trail is quite flat and remains so. One of the true highlights of your walking trail in the Amalfi Coast is the lookout point from the lighthouse, where you’ll have one of the most stunning views of Capri Island.
There are two challenges that more advanced walkers can choose to take on this hike. One part of this Amalfi Coast trail ascends steep steps that take you to a cave that was used by Greek and Roman ships to give offerings to the Goddess Minerva, marked by an Oscan inscription that offers a unique insight into Italy’s maritime history.
The other is an even more challenging Amalfi hiking trail, the summit of Monte San Constanzo. Sitting at 485 metres above sea level, the peak will generously reward you with stunning views of the Massa Lubrense and across to the Faito Massif.
The easy version of this Amalfi trail takes around 2 hours from Termini to Monte Constanzo and back again. Much of the Amalfi walk is out in the open sun, so in summer it could be quite challenging, alongside the increasing popularity of the Amalfi Coast as a destination. To ensure an easy and relaxing walk, autumn would be the best season to visit.
Punta Campanella fits in perfectly with a longer trip, such as this Rome, Sorrento and Positano tour. This beautiful and mystical walk will show you another side of Italy that will charm you just as the Sirens that made it famous.
The Hike around the Amalfi Coast’s Distance
4 kilometres.
Duration of the Amalfi Coast Hiking Route
2 hours.
Amalfi Coast Trail through the Valle delle Ferriere
Following the soothing sound of the stream through the Ferriere Nature Reserve, this route once paved the way for the iron carriages of merchants taking their products to the trading port of Amalfi.
Your history tour starts with Museo de la Carta, a small but informative museum that will show you the history of papermaking in the Amalfi Coast, a trade that is still highly regarded for its quality today. From there, the Valle delle Ferriere Amalfi Coast trail will take you past abandoned 12th-century iron mills and paper factories on a gentle walk from Amalfi.
Following the museum, you’ll climb the steep stairs that take you to the forest trail – this is just about the only ascent you will do on this Amalfi walking trail, making it great for all ages and abilities!
This Amalfi Coast hiking trail is known for its tranquil rainforest-like feel, spectacular waterfalls, and indigenous flora and fauna. With a finishing line drawn back in the bustling beach town of Amalfi, beachgoers often miss the hidden gem that is the Valle delle Ferriere in favour of sun and sand over hiking on the Amalfi Coast. However, this stunning escape from the hustle of the town is blessed with the sweet smell of lemon orchards, vineyards and the rustic addition of the medieval stonework that you’ll stumble upon at every turn.
Hiking Amalfi offers an unparalleled natural adventure that will take you deep into Italy’s landscape with numerous options to take detours to explore cascading waterfalls. The trail takes around 4 hours to complete, respective of any further explorations.
The Valle delle Ferriere is one of the best hikes in the Amalfi Coast to do while on a longer tour, such as this 11-Day Culture of Rome and the Amalfi Coast tour.
After a day on the beach, some time in the cool forest will be welcome under the summer heat. By connecting with one of our Local Designers, the planning part of your tour will not only be taken care of, but you could also receive detailed Amalfi Coast hiking maps to ensure you are safe and comfortable on your trip.
Distance for Hiking on the Amalfi Coast
6 kilometres.
Duration of Hiking Trail
4 hours.
Trekking the Amalfi Coast along the Santa Maria del Castello
With picturesque cliff-hugging villages comes the steep staircases that must be climbed to get out of them – the Santa Maria del Castello hiking trail attests to this! Leaving and returning to the beautiful Positano, this is one of the more challenging hikes in the Amalfi Coast that leads to the charming village of Santa Maria del Castello.
Here, Amalfi walking maps are unnecessary; there’s only one way up! Proving to be a little precarious at times, the Santa Maria del Castello path is unkempt and in summer months very hot, making the climb strenuous yet unequivocally rewarding. Lots of water is recommended to complete your hike in Amalfi to ensure you stay safe throughout your hike.
When you get to the quaint village of Santa Maria del Castello you’ll have unparalleled views down to Positano and across the coastline. This part of Italy is a staggering sight that cannot be missed while on an Amalfi Coast walking holiday. While your ascent is the most challenging, this is one of the best hikes in the Amalfi Coast. After a quick skirt of the coastline, it’s all downhill from here as you descend the steps back to town.
A moderate level of fitness is required for this hiking route of the Amalfi Coast, which takes between 2 and 4 hours. Taking your time on the descent is highly recommended, particularly if you choose to do your hike during the summer months – remember, most accidents happen on the descent!
You could add this hike onto your holiday along with the ever-popular Sentiero delle Dei or create a memorable experience with your family as part of a customisable trip such as this 10-Day Venice, Florence, Rome and Amalfi Coast Adventure for a reviving morning or afternoon away from the city.
Distance of the Hiking Path along the Amalfi Coast
4 kilometres.
Duration of the Amalfi Coast Hiking Trail
2-4 hours.
Valle dei Mullini Amalfi Hiking Trail
Once the centre of production for Amalfi’s paper-making industry, the Valle dei Mulini takes you through the mountains on an unusual journey through time.
The paper-making industry of Amalfi flourished between the 12th and 13th centuries and continued into the 19th century, however, the industry came to an abrupt halt when the mills found here could not meet the standards set by advancing technology. Due to their remote location in the countryside, it was not possible to repurpose them – luckily the power of the forest took over!
The Valle dei Mullini is a slightly easier alternative to the Valle delle Ferriere Amalfi Coast walking trail, which goes through the valley at a higher level. You have a choice of either starting in Pontone, in the nearby Scala, or in the centre of Amalfi. If you are in Amalfi, you can also start your trekking in the Amalfi Coast at the Museo della Carta for a little context on the trail you are about to embark on.
After the museum, you can begin your ascent into the valley, which will take you past abandoned buildings that appear to have been repurposed as plant pots with hundreds of plants splurging out of them.
The air will be filled with the sounds of nature as the Amalfi Coast hiking trail brings you closer to Canneto River. On warmer days, you may wish to take a break from your Amalfi walk to take a swim in the river or in one of the many waterfalls that you find along the way, although, it is advised to check the power of the current first.
From here on in, you will be constantly surprised by the abandoned building that appear as if from nowhere between the trees followed by cascading waterfalls and flora that is not normally characterised by this part of Italy. At points, it is even possible to explore the inside of the old mills, although be warned, some bats may have got there before you.
Towards the end of the walk, the valley will curve around to offer you one last glance at the ancient mills before returning back to Amalfi following the aromatic smell of the lemon orchards. With so much to do and see, this trail could take you between 3 and 5 hours, although given its natural beauty, you may want to take the whole day!
To get the most out of your trip, you could add the Valle dei Mulini to a longer trip to Italy by speaking with one of our Local Designers to design a tailor-made tour of Italy that integrates this Amalfi Coast hiking trail into your ideal adventure.
Distance of the Hike on the Amalfi Coast
6.1 kilometres.
Duration of the Amalfi Coast Hiking Trail
3-5 hours.
So, Are You Ready to Book Your Amalfi Coast Walking Holiday?
With an elaborate range of tours available from our Local Designers in Italy, you can integrate your favourite hiking trail in the Amalfi Coast into a tailor-made tour to see and experience a different side of Amalfi.
Once you have chosen your tour, your Local Designer will work closely with you to create the trip of your dreams. The only thing left to do is to pack your walking shoes and get ready for your trip to Italy.
