Trek the High Trails of Italy's Amalfi Coast — Self-Launched
8 days · Amalfi Coast & Lattari Mountains, Italy
Much Better Adventures charges £1,495
No-markup version: ~£720 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of the Alta Via dei Monti Lattari — the ridge trail high above Italy's most famous coastline. You'll hike six days across the Lattari Mountains from Cava de' Tirreni to the tip of the Sorrentine Peninsula, sleeping in family-run agriturismi and a remote mountain hut, using local buses, regional trains and your own two feet instead of a guided group and private transfers. Trails are waymarked (CAI red-and-white) and well documented, so a confident, well-prepared hiker can do this independently. Costs are approximate backpacker/budget rates in GBP; expect higher prices in June–September.
Day-by-day
Arrive Naples, train to Cava de' Tirreni
Cava de' Tirreni
Fly into Naples International Airport (NAP). Skip the private transfer and take the Alibus shuttle (€5, ~30 min) or the local 3S bus to Napoli Centrale, then a Trenitalia regional train to Salerno (~40 min, €5–8) and a connecting regional train up to Cava de' Tirreni (~15 min, €2). Alternatively there are direct regional trains from Napoli Centrale to Cava de' Tirreni via Salerno. Check into a budget guesthouse or B&B near the historic centre. In the afternoon walk the old town and visit the Badia di Cava, one of southern Italy's most impressive abbeys, then carb-load on a pizza. Download offline maps (Komoot/Gaia GPS) and the CAI trail waymarks for the Alta Via dei Monti Lattari tonight.
🚌Alibus Naples airport to Napoli Centrale (€5) + regional train to Cava de' Tirreni (~€8-10)
🛏Budget B&B/guesthouse in Cava de' Tirreni (private room, ~£45)
- →Explore Cava de' Tirreni historic centre
- →Visit Badia di Cava abbey
- →Pre-trek map download and route planning
Monte Avvocata and the Avvocata Sanctuary
Tramonti
Start walking straight from town on the first stage of the Alta Via dei Monti Lattari — one of Italy's quietest long-distance trails. Follow the old pilgrim route up through chestnut woods and panoramic ridge paths to the Santuario dell'Avvocata at almost 1,000m, one of the best viewpoints on the whole coast and almost unknown to most visitors. Descend to Maiori for a swim in the Tyrrhenian Sea, then catch a local SITA bus (€1.50–2.50) up the verdant Tramonti valley. Check into a family-run agriturismo and eat a hearty home-cooked dinner with local wine. ~5 hrs, 12 km, 600 m up / 900 m down.
🚌Hike from Cava de' Tirreni + local SITA bus Maiori to Tramonti (~€2)
🛏Family-run agriturismo, Tramonti (multi-share or private, ~£40-50 with dinner)
- →Alta Via dei Monti Lattari stage 1
- →Santuario dell'Avvocata viewpoint
- →Swim at Maiori beach
- →Agriturismo dinner
Valico di Chiunzi, Monte Cerreto and Santa Maria dei Monti hut
Santa Maria dei Monti
Hike from Tramonti to the Valico di Chiunzi, a small pass on the Lattari ridge, then climb Monte Cerreto (1,313m) — the second-highest peak on the Amalfi Coast — for views of the coastline, Vesuvius and Naples. Descend into the Valle delle Ferriere nature reserve and continue to the Santuario di Santa Maria ai Monti, perched high above Scala with views over Amalfi, Ravello and Atrani. Tonight sleep in the remote Santa Maria dei Monti mountain hut (bunk dorms, shared facilities; book direct in advance and ring ahead to confirm dinner). Because the hut is inaccessible by road you carry your overnight essentials in your daypack. ~5 hrs, 11 km, 800 m up / 400 m down.
🚌On foot — no road access to hut, carry overnight kit in daypack
🛏Santa Maria dei Monti mountain hut (same-sex dorm, ~£25-35 with dinner and breakfast)
- →Summit Monte Cerreto (1,313m)
- →Valle delle Ferriere nature reserve
- →Santuario di Santa Maria ai Monti
- →Sunset from the mountain hut
Ferriere Valley waterfalls down to Amalfi
Amalfi / Agerola
Detour off the Alta Via and descend to the sea via the villages of Scala and Minuta, through the lush Ferriere Nature Reserve with its waterfalls and the Valle dei Mulini, passing ruins of 11th-century paper mills. Arrive in UNESCO-listed Amalfi for the afternoon — explore the Duomo, swim off the harbour and grab a gelato. Stay in Amalfi if you want the buzz, or take a local SITA bus up to Agerola (Bomerano) to shorten tomorrow's climb. ~4 hrs, 11 km, 150 m up / 1,100 m down.
🚌On foot + local SITA bus Amalfi to Agerola if needed (~€2)
🛏Budget guesthouse/hostel in Amalfi or Agerola (dorm/private, ~£35-55)
- →Ferriere Nature Reserve waterfalls
- →Valle dei Mulini paper mills
- →Amalfi Duomo and town
- →Swim and gelato in Amalfi
Summit Monte Molare — highest peak on the Amalfi Coast
Santa Maria del Castello
The big day. Walk from Bomerano through chestnut and beech forest, then climb steadily to the summit of Monte Molare (1,444m) — the highest point of the Amalfi Coast. On a clear day the 360° panorama stretches to the Bay of Naples, Vesuvius, the Sorrentine Peninsula and Capri. Descend steeply to Santa Maria del Castello and celebrate with a hearty dinner at a family-run agriturismo. ~6 hrs, 13 km, 800 m up / 770 m down. Carry 2–3 L of water; the ridge has almost no reliable water sources.
🚌On foot
🛏Family-run agriturismo, Santa Maria del Castello (multi-share or private, ~£40-50 with dinner)
- →Summit Monte Molare (1,444m)
- →360° views to Capri and Vesuvius
- →Agriturismo dinner
Descend to the Sorrentine Peninsula
Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi area
Set off from the agriturismo doorstep for a steady descent to the Sorrentine Peninsula, with colourful Positano at your feet. An easy stretch along the plateau edge leads to wildflower pastures, then down through Mediterranean scrub and wild herbs to parallel the coast with views over the Islands of the Sirens. Reach a converted farmhouse agriturismo surrounded by apple orchards, vines and olive groves for the night; dinner is made from local organic produce. ~5.5 hrs, 15 km, 650 m up / 900 m down.
🚌On foot
🛏Converted farmhouse agriturismo near Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi (twin share, ~£45-55 with dinner)
- →Hike to the Sorrentine Peninsula
- →Viewpoints over Positano
- →Islands of the Sirens panorama
- →Organic farmhouse dinner
Bay of Ieranto and Punta Campanella
Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi
Final big hike: explore the ever-changing Mediterranean seascape, hamlets and inlets to the very tip of the peninsula. Walk through pine woodland, olive groves and orchards down to the picturesque inlet of Marina di Crapolla for a swim, then continue over cliffs to Punta Campanella — where legend says Ulysses erected a temple to Athena. Hike on to Termini for a celebratory drink with Capri in view, then a local bus back to Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi. Last dinner and cheers to completing the traverse. ~7 hrs, 16 km, 1,000 m up / 1,130 m down. Note: the Ieranto Bay is part of a marine reserve with seasonal access restrictions — check locally.
🚌On foot + local bus Termini to Sant'Agata (~€2)
🛏Agriturismo, Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi (twin share, ~£45-55 with dinner)
- →Marina di Crapolla swim
- →Punta Campanella clifftop walk
- →Termini village and Capri views
- →Farewell dinner
Arrivederci — onward or home
Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi to Naples
Relaxed breakfast, then make your own way back. Take the SITA bus from Sant'Agata to Sorrento (~20 min, €2), the Circumvesuviana train to Napoli Centrale (€4-5, ~1 hr 10 min), then the Alibus to Naples airport (€5). Allow at least 3 hours total before your flight. Alternatively extend your stay in Sorrento, Positano or Amalfi — a deserved treat after a solid week of hiking.
🚌SITA bus to Sorrento + Circumvesuviana train to Naples + Alibus to airport (~€11-12)
🛏None (or extend independently)
- →Optional extension in Sorrento, Positano or Amalfi
Self-launched vs. Much Better Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Much Better Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£720 | £1,495 |
| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £775 per person (52%) | |
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.~£720
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 Trek the High Trails of Italy's Amalfi Coast — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £720 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 £1,495 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £720 — a saving of roughly £775 (52%) 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, slow-travel 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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