Amalfi Coast: Hike & Kayak

SUMMARY

Lace up your boots and set your sights towards the spectacular Mediterranean horizon. This eight-day hiking and kayaking trip on the Amalfi Coast is a nature-lover’s dream! Stroll through the lush Mulini and Ferriere valleys, say Buongiorno to local farmers along the Pathway of the Gods, hitch a ride on a boat to the glamorous island of Capri and paddle to secluded beaches by kayak in the afternoon sun. Soak up sunsets, eat your weight in delicious Italian food (carbs, anyone?) and get active in one of the most beautiful parts of Italy, if not the world.

TOTAL DURATION : 8 Days

GROUP SIZE : MIN 1 MAX 12

TOUR ITINERARY AND DATES

START : Naples

END : Minori

COUNTRIES VISITED : Italy

Validity : 01 JAN 2024 To 31 DEC 2024

Day :1

Location : Naples

Benvenuto! Welcome to Italy. Your adventure begins in Naples – the capital of the Campania region – with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, maybe head out and discover some of Naples' impressive architecture and monuments, many of which date back to the Spanish rule of the 16th and 17th centuries. Maybe check out the Royal Palace of Naples or head through a grand plaza to Museo di Capodimonte. A European cultural capital since the time of the Greeks, this city has lots to offer. After the meeting, maybe ask your leader for recommendations for an authentic Neapolitan pizza for dinner.

Day :2

Location : Pompeii / Hiking on Vesuvius / Agerola

After a leisurely breakfast, board your private minibus to the Pompeii archaeological site this morning. Here lie some of the world’s most fascinating and preeminent ruins. Finely preserved, they give you an authentic image of what daily life was like in a Roman city with villas, temples, theatres and bustling markets. Walk along the chariot-marked streets that were nestled under the shadow of Vesuvius until the fatal eruption in 79 AD. Visit the Roman Forum and Basilica, nearby temples, public baths and the tiny Odeon created for music recitals. After lunch, head to mighty Vesuvius. Walk around the rim of Vesuvius' crater, with sulphuric gases and steam still emerging from the gravel, then take a scenic drive to the Agerola high plain. Along the way, you'll be dazzled by views over the Bay of Naples and the Amalfi Coast.

Day :3

Location : Agerola

Today is a free day for you to relax in Agerola or enjoy some of the area's walking trails. Maybe take a walk to the viewpoint of Punto Panoramico for some great views over the Amalfi Coast. From here, descend through a spectacular landscape, which overlooks the Isle of Capri and the densely forested mountains of Cilento National Park. Your path leads you through class Mediterranean landscapes with vineyards, chestnut trees, oaks and scenic areas of shrubs and flowers. You can spot many old ruins dotted along the hillsides. In spring, you can even smell the Italian herbs as you walk past steeples of limestone rocks and through lush vineyards. This afternoon maybe visit the village of Bomerano, where you can grab some lunch, an aperitif or taste some of the local limoncello.

Day :4

Location : Hiking along Sentiero Degli Dei / Positano / Amalfi

This morning perhaps enjoy a coffee before embarking on what has become one of Italy's most famous hiking trails, the 'Sentiero degli Dei' (Footpath of the Gods) which will bring you all the way to Positano. This path winds its way through unique scenery and boasts unrivalled views along the coast. Walk through forests and fields of wildflowers, past ancient stone huts and beside sheer walls of granite. Glimpse local farmers tending their crops by hoe and elbow grease, herds of goats feeding beside the trail beside their shepherds, and teams of workmen commuting by mule. By late morning you will reach Vallone di Grarelle, then continue to the hamlet of Nocelle, a picturesque village situated above Positano. A walk through the village leads to what’s known as the Montepertuso Crossing – a deep gorge with limestone walls. From Montepertuso it's just a short walk down the old steps, through olive groves and vineyards, to beautiful Positano (though you can take a bus instead if you like). From Positano continue to Amalfi by boat and enjoy the scenery from a different view point.

Day :5

Location : Hiking on Capri Island / Amalfi

Today, you’ll explore the gorgeous Isle of Capri, where Roman emperors used to holiday. Take a ferry along the beautiful coastline, passing the islands of mythical sirens from Homer's Odyssey. As you approach, you’ll be welcomed by mighty cliffs and crashing blue seas (don’t forget your camera!). When you arrive in Capri, head out for a walking tour of all the sights, then take a circuit walk passing Villa Jovis (the ruins of the most impressive Roman villa on the island, once home to Emperor Tiberius), a historic monastery and the winding alleyways of the village of Capri. Follow the untouched coastline and many impressive grottos (take some time to dip your feet in the water – the best way to cool off!). Later this afternoon, take the ferry back to Minori for the night.

Day :6

Location : Kayaking & Hiking around Amalfi

This morning, you’ll hike to the village of Pontone. Walk along a narrow ridge beneath shady pine trees and through fields of wildflowers to a viewpoint overlooking the Valle del Dragone (Valley of the Dragon). See the luxurious gardens and villas of Ravello below and then continue to the ruins of the famous watchtower – Torre dello Zirro. After retracing your steps to Pontone, maybe enjoy a drink under the shade of lemon trees. You’ll carry on walking down into the shaded Valle dei Mulini (Valley of the Watermills). Here, you’ll find remnants of Europe’s earliest paper mills strewn among thick foliage fed by the valley's streams. You may pass locals collecting wild mushrooms and stout men carrying half their body weight in lemons (on their heads, no less). Your path will take you to the entrance of Valle delle Ferriere (nature valley) – this gorgeous reserve is an ideal place to find some lunch. After some time to refuel, head back to Amalfi and hit the beach for a kayaking experience along the coastline. Paddle along the coast towards Santacroce – a small but gorgeous beach where you can grab an aperitif before paddling back.

Day :7

Location : Hiking to Ravello / Amalfi

From your accommodation in Minori, travel back to Amalfi Town and then follow the Valley of the Dragon up to Ravello – another highlight along the coast. The French novelist André Gide once described this town as being ‘closer to the sky than the seashore’. For centuries, its lofty position and sunny, dry climate have made it an appealing place for writers, artists, musicians and travellers. Ravello also boasts two magnificent villas – the superb 11th Century Villa Rufolo, which was 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. After a day of exploring, retrace your steps along a steep mule track back to Amalfi and soak in the sweeping panoramas that reward your efforts. Tonight, why not find the perfect spot for a dinner of pasta, cocktails and pizza (your leader will have all the best recommendations).

Day :8

Location : Amalfi

After breakfast this morning, your adventure comes to an end. If you’d like to stay in the area for longer, and it’s recommended that you do, just speak to your booking agent. You might like to board one of the ferries that sail from Amalfi/Minori to Salerno or Naples. Alternatively, local SITA buses run to Sorrento, Salerno or Naples, where you can catch onward rail connections.