The Amalfi Coast is not just sea and good food, but also magnificent landscapes. Put on a pair of comfortable shoes, backpack on your shoulders, and set off to discover the ancient hidden paths.
The SS163 is a scorching tongue of asphalt built in modern times, but moving inland, on those hills overlooking the sea, there are lanes traced by farmers and merchants.
Among gardens and lemon groves one can still meet goats and mules grazing blissfully and discover, beyond the green, the deepest blue of the sea. Trekking on the Amalfi Coast is an experience that is both different and unique.
Let us discover together which are the best known paths for spending a different day, far from the confusion typical of the Coast and of places crowded by mass tourism.
Table of Contents
Trekking on the Amalfi Coast: the most famous itineraries
📍 The Path of the Gods
📏 8 km
🟡 medium difficulty
The route from San Lazzaro (Agerola) to Amalfi via Pogerola and the picturesque Valle delle Ferriere is a truly special excursion, perfect for those who love walking surrounded by nature and breathtaking views.
The itinerary starts from the heights of Agerola and descends towards the coast, first passing through the village of Pogerola—where you can enjoy spectacular views of the coast, Ravello, and the famous Villa Cimbrone—and then the lush river valley of Valle delle Ferriere, a nature reserve with woods, giant ferns, streams, and the remains of ancient paper mills and ironworks.
The trail is over 14 km long, with a very steep descent (over 1,500 m in some sections) and requires sturdy hiking boots and caution, especially in the steepest sections. The estimated duration is around 4-7 hours, depending on your pace and stops. It is recommended that you check the weather conditions before setting off, avoiding rainy days for the most exposed and slippery sections.
To reach the starting point, you can take the SITA bus to San Lazzaro, where you can leave your car in the free parking lot near the bus stop.
For further information, please refer to our complete guide dedicated to the Path of The Gods.
Discover all the guided excursions on the Path of the Gods
📍 Valle delle Ferriere
⌛ 3 hours
🟢 low difficulty
A stunning corner of nature just behind Amalfi: a path that descends from the Lattari Mountains through fern forests, streams, and the ruins of ancient ironworks and mills that tell the industrial and artisan history of the coast. The classic route starts from the village of Pontone (a hamlet of Scala) and, in about 6 km and 3-4 hours of leisurely walking, takes you to the center of Amalfi following the valley of the Canneto stream.
Along the muletrack, you will encounter terraces cultivated with lemon trees, ancient aqueducts, the remains of medieval factories, and corners where the humid vegetation is home to rare species, such as the giant Woodwardia radicans fern in the nature reserve: a short but steep detour that is well worth the effort if you are in good shape.
To reach the mouth of the valley, you can take the SITA buses that connect Amalfi to Scala and Ravello (some routes stop at Pontone): check the timetables in advance because not all routes stop in the hamlet.
Alternatively, from Ravello or Scala, you can walk along pleasant paths to the square in Pontone. From the center of Pontone, follow the main mule track (you will pass in front of the Trattoria Antico Borgo) and take the long staircase that descends towards the valley; after a few meters, you will find the first ironworks and the stream bed. The trail continues along the stream to Amalfi, with well-marked sections (take trail no. 25 for the last section).
Bring hiking shoes, water, insect repellent, and pay attention to your shoes in the wetter areas: the reserve can be slippery after rain.
Book your excursion to Valle delle Ferriere: experience a unique adventure!
📍 Montepertuso (Positano) – Conocchia – Monte S. Michele
⌛ 4 hours
🟡 average difficulty
The starting point for this trekking itinerary is the hamlet of Positano, Montepertuso.
After climbing up to the forest barracks, the panorama unveils itself without too many secrets to hikers; looking to the left, Montepertuso can still be seen, while at the far end is Vettica Maggiore, hamlet of Amalfi.
On the way, one can stop or continue on to Santa Maria di Castello to see the grotto with the Madonna, and again to Monte Sant’Angelo a Tre Pizzi, characterised by a decidedly wild landscape that is different from the one encountered on the rest of the trail.
Crossing the rocky heights, one arrives at the Conocchia crossroads and then climbs to 1444 metres, the highest peak, a natural terrace overlooking the great Gulf of Naples.
📍 The Praia Path: from Bomerano to Marina di Praia
📏 4 km
🟡 medium difficulty
From the central square of Bomerano, a hamlet of Agerola, walk along the mule track until you reach the grotto of Santa Barbara, then turn right onto the ancient Praia riverbed leading to Praiano and Vettica Maggiore, and then slide towards the coastal road.
One reaches Marina di Praia by taking the steps to cala di Rezzola near the church of San Luca.
📍 Maiori – Convent of S.Nicola – Minori (2 hours – low difficulty)
⌛ 2 hours
🟢 low difficulty
The Convento of S. Nicola is located between Maiori and Minori, atop a hill in the centre of the valleys of the Monti Lattari.
Although not very high, it allows you to enjoy spectacular scenery, with the peaks of Monte Sant’Angelo that light up when the sun rises, Monte Finestra, the Demanio mountains and the Avvocata.
In the centre is the valley of Reginna Minor and the little houses of Minori, to the west the rocky cliff where Scala and Ravello stand blissfully, to the east the valley of Maiori.
Departure is possible from both Minori and Maiori via several paths, among which we recommend the ‘Lemon Path‘ leading to the Torre village, along the way you will find clear directions to the convent.
📍 The osprey path
⌛ 40 minutes
🟢 low difficulty
Among the hikes to do, we recommend this rather short one that starts from the church of S. Elia in Furore, in Piazza del Carmine, and in 40 minutes takes you to the Furore Fjord.
The route is steep only in the initial part, but the exposure to the sea makes it pleasant. The final stop is the fishermen’s village made up of a small group of perched houses.
For those wishing to explore more of this splendid part of the Amalfi Coast, in the article dedicated to the Fiordo and the “paese che non c’è” (the village that isn’t there), we have also pointed out other numerous excursionsù
📍 Sentiero del Borgo Marinaro: from the Belvedere Fausto Coppi (Agerola) to the Fiordo di Furore
⌛ 2 km
🟢 low difficulty
Trekking along the Amalfi Coast allows you to discover unusual places, such as those on this trail that leads from the Fausto Coppi belvedere in Agerola straight to the Fiordo di Furore. The steps leading down to the sea are not very difficult, so if this is your first time wearing hiking boots, this is the type of trail for you.
📍 Maiori – Santuario dell’Avvocata
⌛ 3 hours
🟡 medium difficulty
The ascent to Mount Falerzio on whose slopes stands the Santuario dell’Avvocata is one of the most suggestive walks, where nature, history, and popular religious tradition blend to perfection.
Excursions on the Amalfi Coast are all characterised by the presence of stairs, and the one leading to the Santuario dell’Avvocata is no less impressive, especially in the first part of the ascent.
Once in Maiori, one starts from Via del Casale and, after numerous stairs, arrives at San Vito crossing the typical terraces of the coast and the ruins of old houses.
From San Vito about half an hour’s walk separates you from the ruins of the farmhouse in the locality of Santa Maria and the spring known as ‘acqua del castagno’ (water of the chestnut tree), a little higher up.
Flat stretches alternate with steep, uphill ones, and after passing the Grottone and the Teglia, another vast plateau opens up with the Avvocata church.
Among the points of special interest on this route is the belvedere leading to the summit of the mountain, where, along the vertiginous walk, we come across the cave of Matteo Salese.
Legend has it that he threw himself into the void after a chase with the gendarmes.
📍 Capo d’Orso trails
🟡 medium difficulty
We start from an old “carcara”, a stone building for lime production, a few steps away from the restaurant. After a few minutes’ ascent, you come to a wide path that will allow you to make several hikes, all equally fascinating.
Lifting your eyes above your head you will have the Monte Piano massif, an ideal place for those who love climbing, and the caves of Capo d’Orso. Walking towards Maiori, you will enjoy the panoramic path and, returning to the state road, you will reach the thousand-year-old abbey of Santa Maria de Olearia.
Heading towards Cetara, you can reach the Vallone di San Nicola above Erchie, where the remains of the ancient convent of San Nicola de Carbonaris are still visible in a cave, and a little further away, the waterfalls of Erchie.
Other paths cross along the way, including the one leading to Avvocata.
📍 From S. Lazzaro (Agerola) to Amalfi
⌛ 6 hours
🟡 medium difficulty
The route from San Lazzaro (Agerola) to Amalfi via Pogerola and the picturesque Valle delle Ferriere is a truly special excursion, perfect for those who love walking surrounded by nature and breathtaking views.
The itinerary starts from the heights of Agerola and descends towards the coast, first passing through the village of Pogerola—where you can enjoy spectacular views of the coast, Ravello, and the famous Villa Cimbrone—and then the lush river valley of Valle delle Ferriere, a nature reserve with woods, giant ferns, streams, and the remains of ancient paper mills and ironworks.
The trail is over 14 km long, with a very steep descent (over 1,500 m in some sections) and requires sturdy hiking boots and caution, especially in the steepest sections. The estimated duration is around 4-7 hours, depending on your pace and stops. It is recommended that you check the weather conditions before setting off, avoiding rainy days for the most exposed and slippery sections.
To reach the starting point, you can take the SITA bus to San Lazzaro, where you can leave your car in the free car park near the bus stop.
📍 From Praiano to the Caves of Santa Barbara
⌛ 6 hours
🟡 medium difficulty
The Santa Barbara Trail is a fascinating hike that starts in the village of Praiano and leads to the picturesque caves of Santa Barbara, along the rocky slopes of the Lattari Mountains.
It is a route of about 6.7 km, which can be covered in just over three hours, with a moderate elevation gain and spectacular views ranging from the blue of the sea to the green of the Mediterranean scrub.
The trail, also known as the “Sentiero delle Agavi in Fiore” (Path of the Flowering Agaves), winds along ancient mule tracks and stone steps, between cultivated terraces and glimpses of rural life on the coast. Although not technically difficult, it requires sure footing and caution, especially in the sections closest to the caves, where the terrain can be uneven.
The itinerary begins near the church of San Luca in Praiano and climbs gradually among agaves, prickly pears, and fragrant shrubs until it reaches the natural caves of Santa Barbara, a place steeped in silence and local legends.
It is advisable to wear hiking boots, bring plenty of water and sunscreen: the sun beats down strongly here and the effort takes its toll, but the view of the sea makes every effort worthwhile.
📍 Ravello – Atrani via Valle del Dragone
⌛ 90 minutes
🟢 low difficulty
Trekking and the Amalfi Coast is a perfect combination, especially in Ravello where every single sound is a symphony.
Starting from Piazza del Duomo, reach the church of Santa Maria a Gradillo, turn left and then descend the stairs, at a certain point you will find a sign on which is written ‘To Amalfi’.
More stairs and the descent to Atrani is the start of this excursion, at the crossroads of “Ravello-Pontone” turn right and after the first bend continue through the Valle del Dragone.
Just before entering Atrani you can see the old cemetery and the Chiesa del Carmine. To reach Piazza Umberto I you are spoilt for choice because here all the paths lead to the heart of the village.
