Amalfi Coast 5 nights

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1 Telephone: +44 (0) Amalfi Coast 5 nights Along the Siren Coast page 1/10

2 Route Summary At a glance Amalfi - 5 nights (4 walking days) - one night in each hotel. Consider adding an extra night to explore the western end of the pensinsula, and adding rest days along the route (we suggest Positano) or extra nights in Sorrento for day trips to Capri or Pompeii for example - or even nights on Capri itself. Contact us for advice. How much walking? Full days: km per day, 4-8 hrs walking Using shortening options: 3-10km, 2¾-4 hrs Max. Grade: Wild mountains rising sheer from the Mediterranean sea. Unique old fishing towns clinging to the rocks, tumbling down to the water s edge. Spectacular paths high on the mountainside that link otherwise inaccessible vineyards, with views for miles. Bathing in little coves away from the crowds. This is a truly multigraded walk for the hardy strider and, courtesy of the peninsula bus-system, the recreational walker too. The route shows both faces of the peninsula the craggy scenery of the eastern (Amalfi) end and the more accessible charms of the western tip. This 5-night version starts with just 1 night in Amalfi (you can still walk to Ravello if you get there early enough), then works along the coast via Praiano, Positano and the western promontories and includes a night in Sant Agata before arriving finally in bustling Sorrento, overlooking the bay of Naples and Vesuvius. Stay extra nights in any of our hotels en route, and perhaps extend your stay with visits to Capri, Pompeii, Herculaneum and Naples all possible from Sorrento. Why not also consider a few nights (minimum stay of 2 nights and 3 in high season) on Capri at the end of walk? On Foot has devised some great walks to help you explore the island to the full. Walked by On Foot staff: Simon, Mary and Emma Nerano/Marina del Cantone option spend a couple of nights in Nerano or Marina del Cantone in place of Sant Agata and explore the western end of the peninsula. Quiet and less well known. REVIEWS: For independent walker reviews submitted to the Association of Independent Tour Operators visit Aito.com. TRAVEL ADVICE: To find the latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office for UK citizens travelling to Italy, click here. Citizens of other nations will also find it useful, but should always check their appropriate local agency. page 2/10

3 Route Highlights The cobbled alleys of Positano and Amalfi Ravello and the gardens of the Villa Cimbrone The Path of the Gods, high above the sea Our new ridgetop walk from Positano to S. Agata Walking the wild Valle delle Ferriere Grilled sea-bass on the waterfront at Praiano The San Costanzo peninsula and its secluded beaches The legendary island of Capri We Recommend Approaching Amalfi by sea from Salerno (nb latest ferry 15:30), an extra day in beautiful Positano, one in S. Agata (or Nerano) to do our peninsula walk and extra days in Sorrento to visit Pompeii, Herculaneum and Vesuvius - we can provide notes for you on these options. Spend a few nights on Capri - we have devised some walks that will really help you explore this fascinating island. Grading Full days: km per day, 4-8 hrs walking Using shortening options: 3-10km, 2¾-4 hrs The toughest version of our route at medium-hard, this walk can be softened by taking daily shortening options, while retaining the excitement of high coastal walking, though there are a lot of steps (up and down) which can be tiring. Signed paths (not always consistently). Highest point on route: 800m. Medium-hard: Average cumulative uphill stretches (CUSs) 679m (200m-1215m) per day. Medium: CUSs 240m (100m-400m) per day using all shortening options (bus past less easy stretches) GPX file available for handheld GPS or smartphone App for complete route. Important note: Times given for each day are walking times for an average walker and exclude stops. CUSs stands for Cumulative Uphill Stretches and measures the aggregated ascents in each day, expressed in metres of climb. See Walk Grading for more information. page 3/10

4 When to go The best months to walk: April, May, June, September, October Other possible months: March, July, August, November The Amalfi Coast is a great walk for seven months of year and extends well into autumn due to the warmth of the sea, although later autumn bookings may necessitate a change of accommodation due to hotels closing for the winter. With its warm climate, Amalfi is suitable for those people looking to walk at the beginning and end of the usual walking season, but it can be very hot during July, August and early September, when plenty of rest days are recommended. Hotels and restaurants on the coast and Capri begin to close for the winter towards the end of October, which lessens choice. Itinerary Day 1 - Arrive in Amalfi... and settle in to your hotel. If you do not arrive too late, there is the cathedral as well as the waterfront to visit, or just wander the streets looking for your first restaurant. Day 2 - Amalfi to Praiano Now the journey west starts. It is quite a tough day, using many old medieval paths with loads of views as always, some quite lonely places and a detour around the unique deep cleft of the Marina di Furore fjord. The day has a definite sense of making a journey along the coast, ending in the pleasant town of Praiano. ( Medium-hard: 5hrs, 12 km, CUSs 800m). Alternative: Bus to start at Convento di Santa Rosa (Medium: 3 hrs, 7km, CUSs 400m) Day 3 - Praiano to Positano We continue our journey westward, to Positano. We ascend to a now uninhabited monastery, San Domenico, and join the Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods) across a wild hillside to the mountain village of Nocelle. The views along and of the coast are unsurpassed. Then, passing through another village, Montepertuso, the descent takes us to the heart of Positano with its boutiques and milling hordes. (Medium: 4 hrs, 10 km, CUSs 500m). (The Sentiero degli Dei is very busy at weekends so try to plan your walk to avoid the crowds if you can). Alternatives: Easier end option - arrive in Nocelle (for the bus to Positano, avoiding descending steps) OR take the bus the whole way to Positano. page 4/10

5 Day 4 - Positano to Sant Agata Today s continuation of the westward journey comprises two parts: Positano to Colli di Fontanelle; and from there to Sant Agata. For the first part there is a choice between a hard mountain section or a transfer by bus. Experienced hill walkers (and when the weather is good) should try our Hard section followed by Medium or Easy to reach their goal. This is our spectacular walk, even more than the Sentiero degli Dei, but it s tough. It involves a walk straight up the hill from Positano, then a marvellous ridge-top walk with views for miles. (GPS file available and advised as navigation can be tricky). More recreational types could spend the morning in Positano and then try the easy option, starting (after a bus ride) from Colli di Fontanelle, about 13km west of Positano. Once in Colli di Fontanelle, follow the coastal path which explores remote terrain high above the sea, reaching the village of Torca before splitting, depending on that night s accommodation. Full walk Hard: 8 hrs, 17km, CUSs 1215m Easy option (bus to start) Easy: 2¾ hrs, 5km, CUSs 310) Option Three options to consider. 1. Instead of staying in Sant' Agata, transfer to Marina del Cantone, a seaside resort, to our simple hotel right on the beach 2. Spend an extra night in Sant' Agata and try the The Sorrento Peninsula walk - a day of many choices, as the tip of the peninsula has much to offer. It overlooks the island of Capri and gives views across the bays of Naples and Salerno from a fine network of paths. The official day consists of a walk to Termini, with its bar and eateries, and a choice of optional coastal walks thereafter. Those staying in Sant Agata take the bus back. (Easy: 2 hrs, 7km, CUSs 130m to Termini). 3. Spend both nights (after a short transfer) in Marina del Cantone or in the pretty nearby village of Nerano and combine our peninsula walking options with swimming and relaxing. Day 5 - Sant' Agata (or Nerano/Marina del Cantone) to Sorrento We make the final stage of our journey along typical old paths, visiting the town of Massa Lubrense on the way. There is an option to make a detour to a headland viewpoint (with views over the whole bay) at one stage, but you may wish to save the time to explore Sorrento. (Medium: 3-4½ hrs, kms, CUSs m). Alternative: Bus to Sorrento for the day. Option Two-three nights on Capri as an add-on. We have two walks on the island, or you can just relax! See the accommodation page for information on where you can stay. page 5/10

6 Travel Information ARRIVING BY AIR The best local airport is Naples. Intercontinental flights may use Rome then take a train directly to Salerno (around 2½ hrs) and from there either a bus or ferry (April Oct only, latest 15:30 in low season, see for timetables) to Amalfi. The transfer from Rome Fiumicino airport to Rome Termini station takes around 30mins. NAPLES Land by: 14:30 if using public transport (later arrivals possible, missing supper). Private shared shuttles enable later landing times. Return flight earliest: 10:00 (missing breakfast). Land by/earliest return flight times not applicable if using a pre-booked taxi. Flight information can change rapidly and not all flights run daily. Please do check directly with the airlines websites or Skyscanner (see below) before finalising any booking with us. Do not book your flights until we have confirmed that we have provisionally reserved accommodation for you. For up-to-date schedules and flights from all airports check Skyscanner. See Getting to the start of the walk below for transfer information ARRIVING BY TRAIN Nearest railway station: Start: Salerno Finish: Sorrento (Circumvesuviana Railway to Naples Centrale) Typical rail journey from UK via Paris and Rome: London: Eurostar to Paris (N), transfer to Paris Bercy for sleeper train to Rome. Next morning take the train to Naples, change for Salerno and then for Amalfi. ~17 hrs. Sorrento: Circumvesuviana train to Naples, then Naples to Rome for the overnight train to Paris and then the Eurostar arriving London St Pancras International. ~22 hrs. See for details and other ideas, for local trains except for the Circumvesuviana timetable which can only be found at Getting to the start of the walk The first hotel is in Amalfi and the last in Sorrento. Transfer times and methods are suggested for Naples airport below. For train arrival transfers see below. page 6/10

7 NAPLES AIRPORT: Outward: Bus/bus or bus/train/bus or ferry (c. 3½ hrs) OR pre-booked taxi transfer from Naples airport to first hotel OR web-booked shared shuttle (see or Return: Airport bus (~ 10 pp) or train/bus shuttle (c. 1 ½ hrs) OR pre-booked taxi from final hotel to Naples airport Transfers from train stations: Outward: Bus or ferry from Salerno to Amalfi (c. 1 hr) Return: Short walk or local taxi from Sorrento hotel to station for Circumvesuviana railway to Naples Central For all pre-bookable taxi prices, see Prices Full transfer advice, including timetables, is provided in your Walkers Pack. Contact us if you would like additional pre-booking information. Where You'll Stay Spend your first nights in one of several possible hotels in the heart of Amalfi. Our hotels in Praiano are well-located and friendly (upgrade with sea-view rooms and pool available). We offer several small hotels in Positano; most are well-located in the heart of the town and, therefore, within easy reach of dinner but one is on quiet Fornillo beach and therefore away from Positano s milling hordes. In Sant Agata stay in a well appointed hotel or choose Le Tore, a working organic farm where you ll normally have dinner; much of what you ll eat has been grown here too. Should you opt for a night in Marina del Cantone our accommodation here overlooks the beach, while the pension in nearby Nerano is stylish and has a pool to compensate. In Sorrento, you ll stay in a recently renovated hotel, right in the heart of the town. Opportunities to upgrade in each village and in Sorrento. On Capri, our hotel is in the heart of Capri village but still quiet (minimum stay of 2 nights and 3 in high season). Night 1 Amalfi Villa Annalara: (B&B) Small pension with restaurant, in quiet location just 8 mins walk from the sea. page 7/10

8 Night 1(Upgrade) Amalfi Luna Convento (B&B) A former 13th century Franciscan Friary in excellent location. Pool. Night 2 Praiano Tramonto d Oro (B&B) Family hotel in the heart of the village - upgrade to sea view rooms possible. Pool (in season). Night 3 Positano Pupetto Hotel (B&B) Charming hotel on quiet Fornillo beach, 10 mins walk away from Positano itself. Night 4 Sant Agata Grand Hotel Hermitage & Villa Romita B&B A 4-star family run hotel which enjoys excellent views. Villa Romita is located nearby and is a restored 19th century villa. page 8/10

9 Night 5 Sorrento Hotel Astoria: (B&B) Newly refurbished and very central hotel in quiet position. Staying in Nerano, Marina del Cantone, Capri and Rome As an option to S. Agata we can normally offer a night in La Certosa, right on the beach at Marina del Cantone or more stylishly at Casale Villarena (accommodation only, two-night minimum stay) in nearby Nerano (pool) On Capri we can offer the Hotel Gatto Bianco in Capri town, or Villa Ceselle in little Anacapri, or you can book your own accommodation you will still get our walking notes! We think we have one of the best and most reasonably priced places to stay in Rome Roberta s B&B Orologio. In a narrow street between the Piazza Navona and the Vatican, Roberta has been our Rome host for the last ten years and has never let us down. With her stylish charm and attention to detail she ensures that if you return to Rome you will stay there again. And has opened another B&B nearby just in case she is full! Prices Price: nights (1 night in each town) in double/twin room, all breakfasts, luggage transfers between all hotels on walking route; full Walkers Pack with route directions, maps, transfer and background information; local telephone support. All prices are per person unless otherwise indicated, and are based on a standard booking in May. Prices may vary seasonally and a fixed price will be given to you before you commit. Locally levied tourist taxes are not included. Single Room Supplement (SRS): From 190 Lone Traveller Additional Supplement (LTAS): From 90 Maximum party size: 20 page 9/10

10 Add Ons Additional B&B nights in any accommodation, nights in Marina del Cantone or Nerano and on Capri: Call for prices (vary with season) Upgrade to seaview rooms at the Tramonto d'oro, Praiano: From 45 per person per night, depending on season Sending Walkers Packs to addresses outside the UK and Ireland: (per pack, location dependent) TAXIS Naples airport to first hotel: From 121 (1-3 persons), 151 (4-7) (Weekday daytime rates, supplement for night arrivals) Salerno Railway Station to first hotel: From 81 (1-3 persons), 106 (4-7) (Day time weekday rates, supplement for weekend/holiday/night arrivals) Final hotel to Naples/Naples Airport: From 101 (1-3 persons), 116 (4-7) (Day time weekday rates, supplement for weekend/holiday/night departures) MINIBUSES for larger groups - contact On Foot Holidays On Foot Holidays Griffin House, Malthouse Lane, Salisbury, SP2 7RF, United Kingdom Telephone: +44 (0) walks@onfootholidays.co.uk page 10/10