Self-Launched: Trek the Alta Via dei Monti Lattari, Amalfi Coast
8 days · Amalfi Coast & Lattari Mountains, Italy
Much Better Adventures charges £1,499
No-markup version: ~£370 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
An independent, self-launched version of the 7-night Alta Via dei Monti Lattari traverse above Italy's Amalfi Coast. You'll walk the same ridgeline trails — Monte Avvocata, Monte Cerreto, Monte Molare and the Ferriere Valley down to Amalfi — but booking your own family-run agriturismi, mountain hut and guesthouses, navigating with maps/apps, and using local buses, trains and ferries instead of a guided group and private transfers. Same epic coastline, same spectacularly untrodden paths, a fraction of the price. Note: this is a moderately-challenging trek (5-7 hiking hours a day, significant ascent/descent on stone steps and rough, sometimes exposed terrain) — go prepared, carry 2-3L of water daily and hiking poles are strongly recommended. Costs are approximate backpacker/budget estimates in GBP.
Day-by-day
Arrive Naples, transfer to Cava de' Tirreni
Cava de' Tirreni
Land at Naples International Airport (NAP) and make your own way to Cava de' Tirreni. Take the Alibus from the airport to Naples Centrale (~£5), then a Trenitalia regional train toward Salerno and change at Salerno for the 15-minute regional train up to Cava de' Tirreni (~£4-6 total). From the station, it's a short local bus or taxi (30 min / ~£10-15) up to the historic centre. Check into a budget hotel or guesthouse, then spend the afternoon wandering the old town and visiting the impressive Badia di Cava abbey. Buy a paper map or download offline GPX tracks of the Alta Via dei Monti Lattari and stock up on snacks and water for the days ahead.
🚌Alibus from NAP to Naples Centrale ~£5; regional train Naples/Salerno to Cava de' Tirreni ~£4-6; local bus/taxi to centre ~£10-15
🛏Budget hotel or B&B in Cava de' Tirreni (private twin share, ~£25-35pp)
- →Airport-to-city transfer by Alibus + regional train
- →Explore Cava de' Tirreni historic centre
- →Visit Badia di Cava abbey
- →Download offline Alta Via GPS tracks / buy map
- →Stock up on trail snacks
Alta Via stage 1: Monte Avvocata to Maiori & Tramonti
Tramonti
Start hiking from Cava de' Tirreni on the first stage of the Alta Via dei Monti Lattari, following the old pilgrim route up through chestnut woods to the Santuario dell'Avvocata (~3,280 ft) — one of the most spectacular and least-visited viewpoints on the whole coast. Descend the trail to Maiori and dip your toes in the Tyrrhenian Sea (~5hrs, 7mi, +1,969ft/-2,953ft). From Maiori, take a local SITA bus up the verdant valley to Tramonti (~£2-3) and check into a family-run agriturismo for a home-cooked dinner of local pasta and wine.
🚌On foot + local SITA bus Maiori–Tramonti ~£2-3
🛏Family-run agriturismo in Tramonti (multi-share, ~£30-40pp incl. dinner)
- →Self-navigate Alta Via stage 1
- →Summit viewpoint at Santuario dell'Avvocata
- →Swim at Maiori beach
- →Local SITA bus Maiori–Tramonti
Monte Cerreto & Santa Maria ai Monti mountain hut
Santa Maria ai Monti
Hike from Tramonti up to the Valico di Chiunzi pass, then climb Monte Cerreto (4,309 ft), the second-highest peak on the Amalfi Coast, with views across the coastline, Vesuvius and Naples. Descend across a high plain into the Valle delle Ferriere nature reserve and continue to the Santuario di Santa Maria ai Monti (~5hrs, 7mi, +2,625ft/-1,312ft). Tonight you sleep in the simple mountain hut here — no road access, so carry one change of clothes and overnight essentials in your daypack. Book the hut directly in advance (shared same-sex dorm, blankets provided). Enjoy a rustic fire-cooked dinner and total solitude above the lights of Amalfi, Ravello and Atrani.
🚌On foot only (no luggage transfer on this stage)
🛏Santa Maria ai Monti mountain hut (same-sex dorm, shared facilities, ~£25-35pp incl. dinner — book direct)
- →Climb Monte Cerreto (4,309 ft)
- →Trek through Valle delle Ferriere high plain
- →Sunset at Santa Maria ai Monti sanctuary
- →Overnight in remote mountain hut
Ferriere Valley descent to Amalfi, then Agerola
Agerola
Take a detour off the Alta Via and hike down towards the sea via the villages of Scala and Minuta, through the lush Ferriere Nature Reserve with its waterfalls and the Valle dei Mulini, passing the ruins of 11th-century paper mills and lemon groves. Arrive in UNESCO-listed Amalfi (~4hrs, 7mi, +492ft/-3,609ft) and spend the afternoon exploring the Duomo, swimming off the harbour and people-watching with a gelato. In the late afternoon take a local SITA bus up to Agerola (~£2-3) and check into a guesthouse for the night.
🚌On foot + local SITA bus Amalfi–Agerola ~£2-3
🛏Guesthouse in Agerola / Bomerano (twin share, ~£30-40pp)
- →Hike Ferriere Nature Reserve & waterfalls
- →Valle dei Mulini historic paper mills
- →Explore Amalfi town and Duomo
- →Swim in the Tyrrhenian Sea
- →Local SITA bus Amalfi–Agerola
Summit Monte Molare — highest peak on the Amalfi Coast
Santa Maria del Castello
The big one. Walk through Bomerano village and into forest scenery before a steep, steady climb to the summit of Monte Molare (4,740 ft) — the highest peak on the Amalfi Coast. On a clear day the 360-degree panorama stretches to the Bay of Naples and Vesuvius, the Sorrentine Peninsula and Capri (~6hrs, 8mi, +2,625ft/-2,526ft). Begin a steep descent to Santa Maria del Castello and celebrate with a hearty dinner at a family-run agriturismo.
🚌On foot only
🛏Family-run agriturismo near Santa Maria del Castello (multi-share, ~£30-40pp incl. dinner)
- →Summit Monte Molare (4,740 ft)
- →360° panorama over Capri & Vesuvius
- →Hike through Bomerano and forest trails
- →Celebratory dinner at agriturismo
Descend the Sorrentine Peninsula to Sant'Agata
Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi
Set off from your agriturismo door for a steady descent onto the Sorrentine Peninsula, with colourful Positano spread out below. An easy stretch along the plateau edge leads to wildflower pastures, then downhill through Mediterranean scrub and wild herbs, running parallel to the coast with views over the Islands of the Sirens (~5.5hrs, 9mi, +2,133ft/-2,953ft). Reach Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi in the afternoon and check into a converted farmhouse agriturismo surrounded by orchards, vines and olive groves. Dinner from local organic produce.
🚌On foot only
🛏Farmhouse agriturismo in Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi (twin share, ~£30-40pp incl. dinner)
- →Descend toward the Sorrentine Peninsula
- →Viewpoints over Positano
- →Trails through Mediterranean scrub
- →Rural agriturismo dinner
Bay of Leranto, Punta Campanella & Capri views
Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi
Final big day exploring the changing Mediterranean seascape, hamlets and fjords to the tip of the Sorrentine Peninsula (~7hrs, 10mi, +3,281ft/-3,707ft). Hike through pine woodland, olive groves and orchards down to the picturesque inlet of Marina di Crapolla for a swim, then continue past medieval ruins and over spectacular cliffs to Punta Campanella, the very tip of the peninsula (legend says Ulysses raised a temple to Athena here). Finish with a celebratory drink at Termini village looking out to Capri, then take a local bus back to Sant'Agata (or a taxi if late) and enjoy a farewell dinner.
🚌On foot + local bus Termini–Sant'Agata ~£2-3 (or shared taxi ~£10-15)
🛏Farmhouse agriturismo in Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi (twin share, ~£30-40pp incl. dinner)
- →Swim at Marina di Crapolla inlet
- →Hike to Punta Campanella
- →Capri views from Termini village
- →Farewell dinner in Sant'Agata
Depart — Sant'Agata to Naples (or extend)
Naples / Sorrento
After breakfast, make your own way back to Naples airport. Take a local bus or shared shuttle from Sant'Agata to Sorrento (~30-40 min, ~£3-5), then the Circumvesuviana train from Sorrento to Naples (~£4-5, ~1h15), then the Alibus to NAP (~£5). Allow 2.5-3 hours total and book flights departing after 2pm. Alternatively, extend your stay in Sorrento, Positano or Amalfi — a well-earned treat after a solid week of hiking — with ferries linking the coastal towns (~£15-20 from Sorrento to Amalfi).
🚌Local bus to Sorrento ~£3-5; Circumvesuviana Sorrento–Naples ~£4-5; Alibus to NAP ~£5; optional ferry ~£15-20
🛏None (or optional extension hotel ~£40-70pp)
- →Local bus Sant'Agata to Sorrento
- →Circumvesuviana train Sorrento to Naples
- →Optional ferry extension along the coast
- →Optional extra nights in Sorrento/Positano/Amalfi
Self-launched vs. Much Better Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Much Better Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£370 | £1,499 |
| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,129 per person (75%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Much Better Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£370
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched: Trek the Alta Via dei Monti Lattari, Amalfi Coast cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £370 per person for 8 days in Amalfi Coast & Lattari Mountains, Italy. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Much Better Adventures?+
Yes — Much Better Adventures charges around £1,499 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £370 — a saving of roughly £1,129 (75%) per person.
How long is the Amalfi Coast & Lattari Mountains, Italy trip?+
This itinerary runs 8 days, covering 8 day-by-day stops through Amalfi Coast & Lattari Mountains, Italy.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a hiking, adventure, backpacker trip through Amalfi Coast & Lattari Mountains, Italy, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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