Hiking in Sorrento and along the Sorrentine Peninsula
Hiking in Sorrento: The Sorrento Peninsula, Sorrento in particular, is a famous and beloved tourist destination both for Italians and foreigners. It is the full expression of the Neapolitan style and sunny nature of the South Italians in the world; much praised by the songs ‘Come back to Sorrento’ and ‘O’ sole mio ‘.
In addition to the postcard images and beautiful coastal views in which sea and sun are the main characters.
For lovers of walking and hiking Mount Faito plays the master and needs to be explored. Its name comes from the local dialect word “beech”, because the area is especially rich in beech trees, as well as oak and chestnut trees. The paths through the beech trees lead into the heart of the mountain until to its peaks almost touching the sky. Mount Faito is 1131 meters high and is one of the peaks of the Lattari Mounts, the Preappennine mountain group in Campania. It offers spectacular views of the Sorrento Peninsula; the Gulf of Naples and the Vesuvius, the island of Capri, the Amalfi Coast and the Gulf of Salerno.
For all lovers of the sea the ideal is to walk in the Natural Marine Reserve of Punta Campanella and reach the beach of Jeranto; from which you will enjoy a stunning view of Punta Campanella itself and the famous Faraglioni, symbol of Capri Island. And the area is a protected natural reserve and certainly one of the most beautiful Italian coasts; with a luxuriant vegetation and a rich underwater life.
The Path of the Gods, set in stunning natural beauty, is a must to see; at least for who wants to deeply dig into the marvels of the Amalfi Coast.
From the Path of the Gods, it is possible to admire one of the most striking panoramas on Earth: halfway up the hill the path crosses, from Bomerano to Nocelle village; through the most fascinating gorges, cliffs and precipices of the Amalfi Coast.
An incomparable overview of the coast from Punta Licosa, in the Cilento (part of the Province of Salerno that lies on the south of the Amalfi Coast) to the Island of Capri. An ancient natural extension of Punta Campanella (watershed between the gulfs of Naples and Salerno) where the Athena loop trail, another wonderful hike, lays.
The name, a little exaggerated, is due to some aerial exposed part of the path; the magnificent wide views of the sea and splendid hamlets of Vettica Maggiore (Praiano) and Furore located just below the path. From above you can admire, impending over the sea; the extremely steep and wild noses of “Sant’Angelo a Tre Pizzi”, the highest summit of the Sorrento Peninsula.
The Path of the Gods, despite of the name; is an extraordinary monument to the boundless obstinacy and exertion of the humankind that, throughout the ages; has been able to colonize even the most impracticable places on the Amalfi Coast.
Today, shepherds, woodsmen and farmers still use the path as it lays through hundreds of dry stonewalls; vegetable gardens, woods, lemon groves and old vineyards stolen to the mountain. Beside the path, you find caves and terraces dropping from the cliffs to the sea and deep valleys.
The caves host pens, folds, depots and other constructions. Of the vertical faces, with a dolomitic look overlooking the path; You’ll admire their elegant glides, gulls, crows, peregrine and kestrel falcons, coming out their aeries.
Hiking in Sorrento and along the trails of the peninsula is the best way to discover the many scenic marvels of this natural balcony; over the bays of Naples and Salerno.
The Sorrentine Peninsula is surrounded by the Lattari Mountains which hugs the Sorrentine Coast and the Amalfi Coast; rich with plateaus, sheer cliffs, peninsulas and deep gorges.
There are many trails in the country side, and different and various different lengths and difficulty range.
Hiking and trekking guidebooks are available in the house.