This has to be one of the most beautiful and enjoyable walks from Amalfi. Taking around 3.5-4hours, if starting from Minuta the path is largely a down hill journey (after an initial 10min stair climb). Hiking shoes are necessary. Since the path is quite high, be aware that on cloudy days your view may be obscured. Choose a clear day for optimal views. Streams need to be crossed at least three times so avoid tackling this walk during or straight after heavy rains. The pathway does become narrow with sheer drops on a few occasions so walkers need to be sure footed and confident with heights. You can commence the walk from Amalfi but be aware that if you choose this option you wil be tackling 1-1.5hours of additional thigh blasting stairs at the start of the walk to reach Minuta. A friend and I took up this challenge last year and I think after refreshing ourselves with a mojito icy pole toward the end of the walk (yes, really, you can just grab these from the ice cream fridge just about everywhere in Italy) we became a bit delirious by the end, mixing up our words. I actually recall telling her I had seen "hules and snails" on this track before, rather than 'mules and snakes'! That had us doubled over in uncontrollable laughter. So perhaps, take the car to Minuta option.
From the hairpin bend and car park of Minuta take the stairs heading steeply up the valley to the right. These typical limestone stairs of Amalfi have your thighs burning and your chest heaving but spare a thought for the old ladies carrying shopping bags up these stairs on a daily basis. As they tell me, "piano piano", which means slowly, slowly. At the junction, turn left towards the sea. This pathway now traverses the hillside firstly between houses and then into alpine forest to a view point known as Bosco Grande. Along this section of pathway you will enjoy spectacular views firstly over Ravello, Minori, Maiori and towards Salerno and then as you head further west views over Atrani and Amalfi await. Above you are the cliff tops of lime stone and around you is alpine and chestnut forest.
The path transcends in an arc as you head further into the valley then descends slightly as you arrive at a lovely running stream with several cascading waterfalls. You are able to walk along its tranquil banks for a little way and this is also a fantastic picnic or refreshment spot.
The path is not clear at this point so look carefully to spot the red and white markings. Cross the stream on rocks and head left along the rock face following the stream until you reach the pathway that traverses the hillside curving to the right. Watch out continually for the little red and white painted signs. They can be tricky to spot at times. After a second stream crossing you reach a junction indicating 2 CAI pathways. Both eventually meet up at a later point but the better path is the one to the right that climbs uphill (number 25). Continue along the path further until you reach another fork. Take the lower path alongside the fence and continue as it undulates toward Pogerola. More chestnut and walnut trees can be found in this section and you'll also enjoy views back across to Minuta and Pontone and down to Amalfi along the path and also at a couple of lookout points on your left. In October, you can eat the walnuts and fresh chestnuts straight from the trees.
Soon you'll have views above the rooftops of Pogerola as you head onwards. Continue passed the restaurants to the left (very good) to the lookout point of Pogerola. There's a cliff side bar to your right where you can enjoy a good coffee and/or a lemon granita while taking in the view of the sea. There's also a restroom here but it's always good manners to purchase something before using cafe restrooms.
To continue on to Amalfi, retrace your steps toward the restaurant where there's a set of stairs leading down to your right. Follow these as they wind their way for 30minutes down to Amalfi.
No comments:
Post a Comment