Vesuvius is an extraordinary place, a true paradise of biodiversity that can be comfortably explored on foot thanks to eleven extraordinary paths, totaling almost sixty kilometers in length, amidst stunning panoramas and unique places in the world created by the lava flows that have occurred over the centuries. The vesuvius National Park carried out “The vesuvius National Park Trail System” over the three-year period 2001-2003, consisting of eleven paths, for a total length of 54 kilometers of walkway. The interventions concerned risk mitigation on the routes and the outfitting of the same through specific signage for each path and information boards describing the main naturalistic, geological, and historical features encountered during the walk.
All paths are free except for path no. 5, the gran Cono path, which reaches the crater and starts at an altitude of 1000 meters above sea level, in the municipality of ercolano, at the end of the ercolanovesuvius provincial road. In addition to some short walks, if you want to venture onto the various paths, it is advisable to contact the park guides and/or qualified and authorized associations and guides.
High-Difficult Trails
Path 1 – Valle dell’Inferno (Hell’s Valley)
Start: 4 km from Ottaviano – duration: ~7 h Pine and chestnut woods, view of the medicean Palace.
Path 2 – Lungo i Cognoli (Along the Cognoli)
Start: Ottaviano – duration: ~8 h Reaches the Atrio del Cavallo (1944 lava), shares part with Path 1.
Path 3 – Monte Somma (ring)
Start: Ercolano – duration: >5 h up to Punta Nasone (1,132 m), partially accessible to disabled people.
Medium-Difficulty Trails
Path 4 – Riserva Tirone (Tirone Reserve)
Start: Ercolano – duration: >6 h – length: 11.26 km round trip In the forest reserve, maximum altitude 625 meters.
Path 5 – Gran Cono (Great Cone)
Start: Ercolano (1,000 m) – duration: ~4 h Along the crater’s edge, spectacular views.
Path 6 – Strada Matrone (Matrone Road)
Start: Trecase – duration: not specified historic mule track from 1927.
Path 7 – Vallone della Profica Paliata (Profica Paliata Valley)
Start: San Giuseppe Vesuviano – duration: ~3 h Among orchards, vineyards, and hazelnut groves.
Path 8 – Trenino a cremagliera (Rack Railway)
Start: San Sebastiano al Vesuvio – duration: not specified Closed for maintenance, follows the old railway line.
Path 10 – Olivella
Start: Sant’Anastasia – duration: not specified Closed for maintenance, leads to the Olivella springs.
Low-Difficulty Trails
Path 9 – Fiume di lava (Lava River)
Start: Ercolano (near the Observatory) – duration: ~1 h Short walk on the lava flow, suitable for children.
Path 11 – Pineta di Terzigno (Terzigno Pine Forest)
Start: Terzigno – duration: ~30 min Flat, accessible, restored after the 2017 fires.
