Amalfi Coast Walking with Explore

Amalfi Coast Walking

This walking holiday explores the trails of the spectacular Amalfi Coast from clifftop hikes to woodland walks and along the many ancient stone stairways that link the villages of the region.There's also time to discover the towns of Amalfi, Ravello and Positano and the island of Capri. You'll stay with an Italian family at their peaceful farm overlooking the Mediterranean and enjoy home-produced organic food and wine.

What's Included:

• Return flights
• 14 included meals
• Explore Tour Leader
• 7 nights accommodation
• Walking grade 2: Leisurely and moderate
• Maximum group size of 16, average size, 11
• Coastal Trails - Three leisurely and three moderate grade day walks including the spectacular 'Walk of the Gods'
• Food and drink - Chance to make you own pizza and sample homemade organic wine
• Optional trips - Visit ancient Pompeii and Herculaneum

Day 1: Join trip at Naples Airport; transfer to our agriturismo

The trip starts at Naples International Airport (NAP). Please meet your driver, who will be holding an Explore signboard, in the arrivals hall next to the 'Welcome Area' kiosk. We provide two complimentary transfers to our agriturismo in San Lazzaro today. This sleepy village sits at 650 metres above the Amalfi Coast and there are some great views down to Amalfi and the Bay of Salerno from the cliffs. There are a handful of bars, a couple of small restaurants and two mini-markets.

In order to receive a complimentary transfer you need to ensure that your flight arrives in time. The first transfer will be at 11.45 am. If you wish to join this transfer the latest time your flight can arrive is 11.20 am. The second complimentary transfer is at 7 pm and the latest time your flight can arrive if you wish to join this is 6.35 pm. As we need to arrange the transfer vehicles some time in advance and to help us monitor flight arrivals, if you have not booked your flights through Explore you must let us know your flight details and which transfer you would like to join at least 30 days before the start of your trip. If you do not tell us these details, we will assume that you are travelling on the earlier transfer. There may not be room on the later private bus for you in which case you will need to take a taxi that you will have to pay for yourself. If you plan to arrive later than the second transfer then you will need to make your own way to our accommodation. A taxi should cost in the region of €120 Euros.

The drive to San Lazzaro usually takes just over an hour. Here, we can look forward to settling in to our authentic agriturismo accommodation, with its rustically-furnished, en-suite rooms - our home for the next week. If you join the morning airport transfer please be aware that as our trips run back-to-back you may not be able to access your room until the afternoon. You can relax in the communal areas and head out for a wander in the village.

The family who run this working farm produce their own wine, as well as much of the food that they serve us. Tonight we'll enjoy a welcome supper at the agritursimo and your trip leader will brief everyone on the week ahead.

Day 2: Pino Gorge walk to San Lazzaro; optional hike from agriturismo with coastal views

We catch a local bus from the main square in San Lazzaro this morning for a short journey across the Agerola Plateau to the neighbouring village of Bomerano. Our first walk of the holiday takes us back to San Lazzaro on a mixture of narrow footpaths with fabulous coastal views and occasional stretches on the tarmac before hiking through part of the dramatic Pino Gorge.

In the afternoon there's the option of another walk, this time departing on foot direct from the agriturismo. We head up through the outskirts of the village, passing through forest and also open stretches with views of the surrounding countryside. Continuing in a circular direction, views out over the Gulf of Salerno and Amalfi Sea come into sight before we eventually descend back to the agriturismo.

The morning four kilometre walk is graded as leisurely and expected to take around one-and-a-half to two hours with a total ascent and descent of 250 metres. The optional five kilometre afternoon walk is also graded leisurely and expected to take around two hours with a total ascent and descent of 300 metres .

Day 3: Take a circular hike from Amalfi including time in beautiful Ravello

This morning we catch a public bus from the square in San Lazzaro down to Amalfi, a stunning harbour town. Our hike today takes us away from the hustle and bustle of the town, up through the lemon groves and past farms cultivating olives, fruits and vines, to Ravello. A tranquil spot located high on a rocky promontory overlooking the azure coastal waters, the architecture here is a glorious mix of Moorish flair and aristocratic excess, and the town's captivating charms have attracted artists and writers to its enchanting streets for generations. We'll have some free time here to have lunch and perhaps visit one of Ravello's famous gardens. In the afternoon we walk back to Amalfi by a different route. Both the ascent and descent feature significant sections of the trail on stone stairways and trekking poles will help ease the burden on your knees.

Depending on timings, there should be some time free in Amalfi on arrival. You may choose to look around the impressive Duomo di Sant Andrea (St Andrew's cathedral), with its remarkable baroque interior dating back to the 11th century. The beautifully restored ancient Roman basilica is another highlight. Alternatively, you might choose to relax in one of the many cafes or gelaterias, or look around the curio shops. If it's a hot day, a swim from the public beach might appeal - don't forget to pack your swimming costume and towel. We will head back to San Lazzaro by bus late in the afternoon.

This evening there's the option to enjoy a wine tasting in the beautiful wine cellar at the agriturismo, accompanied by a feast of home-cooked food.

Today's eight kilometre walk is graded as moderate, with a total ascent and descent of 400m. We expect it to take us approximately four hours.

Day 4: Day trip to Capri by boat; island walk

We take an early bus to catch the boat from Amalfi to Capri (trips from 26OCT through to the end of the year will take a boat from Sorrento). Our ferry ride affords us impressive views of the Amalfi Coast; its clusters of buildings clinging spectacularly to the cliffs. Although only a small island measuring seven kilometres in length and three kilometres in width, Capri's magnificent 600 metre-high cliffs contribute to its imposing appearance. Capri has enjoyed coastal resort status since Roman times, but today's walk gets behind its glitzy facade of trendy boutiques and cool cafes. Exploring its network of winding streets, grand houses and kitchen gardens, our route takes us to the coast, past banks of beautiful bougainvillea and to the quieter parts of the island. Here we have superb views of the mainland and the magnificent limestone cliffs rising out of the Mediterranean. There will be time to enjoy the buzz of the main town, as well as a visit to Emperor Tiberius' palace and perhaps time to visit Villa Lysis, before heading back by boat to Amalfi to the mainland. At Amalfi, we take our private bus back to San Lazzaro.

Today's leisurely-graded walk will take approximately four hours, covering 10 kilometres, with a total of 400m ascent and descent. Please note that if the weather is deemed too rough, the ferry to Capri will not operate and we may need tol re-arrange the days so that we can visit Capri on an alternative day.

Day 5: Walk in the Ferriere Natural Park

This afternoon there will be the option of making our own pizzas for dinner and for those taking part we will spend a short time making pizza dough with the family after breakfast so that the dough can proof during the day.

Today's walk sets off direct from our accommodation. We take an ancient limestone stairway above San Lazzaro which leads us high above the village. There are great views towards Salerno and the villages and towns below. Contouring round, we pass pretty woodlands and small valleys, before crossing into the Vallone di Ferriere. Surrounded by high limestone cliffs, the valley has a unique micro-climate, creating a home for plants not normally found in this area. Our well-established path offers spectacular views of the valley and coast, passing small waterfalls and a pretty river. Descending to Amalfi on a series of staircases, we take our private bus back to San Lazzaro.

This moderately-graded walk will take approximately six hours, covering a distance of 13 kilometres with a total ascent of 360m and a total descent of 1015m.

Day 6: A free day to visit Pompeii and Herculaneum

Today is a free day to use as you wish. You may choose to relax at the farmhouse or take an optional day-trip to Herculaneum and Pompeii. Both cities were devastated by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Pompeii is hailed as one of Europe's most compelling archaeological sites, due to the unique way that the volcanic ash has perfectly preserved so much of the city. Walking around the paved streets and buildings of this UNESCO World Heritage site provides a fascinating, if ghostly, insight into Roman life. Unlike Pompeii, the mainly pyroclastic material that covered Herculaneum, carbonized and preserved more wood in objects such as roofs, beds and doors, as well as other organic-based materials such as food and papyrus. The trip to Herculaneum and Pompeii is organised locally, so you do not need to book it in advance.

Day 7: The 'Walk of the Gods' to Positano

Often a highlight of the trip, the Walk of the Gods is justifiably regarded as one of the greatest coastal walks in the world. The high cliff path contours west from Bomerano, with magnificent views of the Bay of Salerno and Capri. The trail passes under huge limestone cliffs and above picturesque stone farmhouses until it reaches the attractive village of Nocelle. From here, we descend down an ancient stairway, past pretty flower gardens, into Positano. A poor fishing village until the 1950s, Positano has grown into a chic town that is still a favourite with Hollywood stars. There is plenty of time to enjoy the town and beach before catching our private bus back to the agriturismo for our final evening.

Today's moderately-graded walk will take approximately five hours and will cover a distance of 11 kilometres with a total ascent of 330m and 900 m descent.

Day 8: Transfer to Naples Airport where trip ends

The trip ends today at Naples International Airport (NAP). Two complimentary transfers are provided today from our agriturismo. The first is timed to arrive at the airport at 8 am. If you wish to join this transfer the earliest time your flight can depart is 10 am. The second transfer is timed to arrive at the airport at 2.30 pm and the earliest time your flight can depart is 4.30 pm. You must ensure that you tell us your flight and details and which transfer you wish to join at least 30 days before the trip starts. If you do not tell us these details there may not be room on the private bus for you and you will need to take a taxi that you will have to pay for yourself.

If you are travelling on the later transfer please be aware that as our trips run back-t0-back you will need to vacate your room after breakfast. Your luggage can be stored at the agriturismo and your time is left free to relax in the communal areas or explore further afield.