4 routes · Hiking
Valley of the Ancient Mills, Amalfi - Ravello
Climb away from Amalfi through the Valle Delle Ferriere, passing waterfalls, derelict buildings and lemon groves, and finishing in Ravello in the Piazza Duomo.
Hiking Moderate
- Distance
- 6.2 km
- Ascent
- 558 m
- Descent
- 208 m
- Duration
- 2-3 hrs
- Low Point
- 7 m
- High Point
- 357 m
- Gradient
- 10˚
No matter how much the coastline and nearby piazzas of Amalfi may be bustling with tourists, within a few minutes of this hike you will escape the crowds and be greeting locals with your heartiest ‘Buongiorno!’ This is a glimpse into how life in Amalfi has existed for generations; an old man balances precariously atop a wooden lattice, 3 metres high, tending to his lemon trees, which droop under the weight of the grapefruit-sized, yellow treasure for which the region is famed. Derelict stone buildings – old paper mills – crumble beside a swift stream as nature steadily reclaims her territory. All this set within an amphitheatre of magnificent limestone cliff-faces.
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Description
The quiet, forgotten village of Pontone greets you halfway through the hike, its sleepy Piazza San Giovanni is a peaceful spot to break for a drink or lunch. From Pontone, the colourful houses of Amalfi, far below, appear like a ribbon threaded through the valley, nestled between two mountains, and with an unbeatable backdrop of the Mediterranean, a rich sapphire-blue.
Ravello is a popular village where tourists enjoy browsing through the vibrant ceramics shops and art galleries, stepping into history in the old monasteries and churches, or watching the world-go-by with a gelato ice cream, or a slice of pizza in the Piazza Duomo, the square around which the village is centred.
From here, you can return to Amalfi by bus or continue on foot.
Difficulty
Moderate
Hiking along trails with some uneven terrain and small hills. Small rocks and roots may be present.
Best time to visit
Features
- Historical
- Picturesque
- Dog friendly
- Wild flowers
- Family friendly