Many tourists visit the ruins of Pompeii every day, but many may not know that they can actually hike the volcano that destroyed the Roman city of Pompeii. Mount Vesuvius is the volcano that erupted inn 79 AD and ruined Pompeii and Herculaneum. Fun fact: the soil of Mount Vesuvius is also responsible for some extraordinary foods in Italy, such as San Marzano tomatoes and grapes for local wines. Today, you can visit the volcano in a protected area known as the Vesuvius National Park. These hiking trails were created in 1995 and allow you to get very close to the summit of the volcano and witness an amazing view of Naples. It is only 5.6 miles away from Naples. This volcano is currently dormant, but it is still an active volcano. It erupted in 1944, making it the most recent volcano eruption in Europe. If you want to experience a piece of history, Mount Vesuvius is a great way to do it. Today, the volcano is safe to hike, but the steam shows this active volcano could erupt again.
Monte Somma is the inactive crater that makes up most of the hiking trails. There are nine hiking trails to choose from when you are at Mount Vesuvius. The first two itineraries are called “Valley of Hell” and “Along the Cognoli”. They are both loops that start in Ottaviano and take place entirely on Monte Somma You can reach the Vesuvius cone on this route. On these trails, you will also be able to learn about the history of the volcanoes and about the amazing biodiversity of the Park. The third itinerary is called the Monte Somma crossing. It develops for almost 8 km and it allows you to discover the volcano’s past and see lava that formed from the last eruption in 1944. The trail ends on the top of Monte Somma, You will see an amazing view of the Gulf of Naples during this trail. Itinerary number 4 is known for having the most spectacular view in the entire park. Itinerary number 5 is the most popular trail. It takes you to the Gran Cono of Vesuvius. This cone was produced during the 79 AD eruption that destroyed Pompeii. The other four trails are shorter and they each have a different focus.
A tour guide is not needed at Mount Vesuvius. You can rent a car or ride a bus to take you farther up the volcano. Then you can hike to the summit of the Volcano. If you plan to drive to Mount Vesuvius, here are some instructions on how to get there. First, take the A3 Napoli-Salerno motorway and take the exit at Torre del Greco or the Ercolano exit. After you reach the motorway toll station, make a left under the motorway bridge and continue along Via Boscocatene. Continue to go straight at the crossroads in Via B. Cozzolino. Keep going for about 2 km up the hairpin road and then go straight on at the junction. Then you will see directions for Vesuvio. Approximately 300 m after the junction there will be a Vesuvius National Park Info Point. Keep driving up the hairpin road for about 7 km. Then, turn left at the junction. After about 2 km, you will arrive at the 1,000 m altitude terrace. Once you arrive, you can park and start walking towards the trails. The tickets cost between 6 and 6.50 euros depending on where you buy it. If you buy it at Mount Vesuvius it is 6.50 euros, if you go with a bus and buy it on-board it is usually 6 euros.
Personally, I took a bus to get close to the summit of the volcano, and then hiked the rest of the way up. Hiking up the summit was an amazing experience and it had a beautiful view. When I first entered the trail, there was a shop selling sticks to help you walk up the volcano. This made me wonder if the trail was going to be harder than I expected. You will get tired when you first start going up the trail because it is steep at first. If you push through, it will get better and the end is worth it. If you do get tired, take breaks and drink some water. There are some small shops to check out on the trail as well. At the top of the trailThis is the hiking trail before it begins to get steep. , I saw the cone of the volcano. There was no lava at the top, but there was some steam. Coming back down the trail is definitely less tiring, but having the stick would have been slightly helpful. I still would not have bought the stick, but if you lack balance and are prone to slipping/falling, you will need to be cautious on the way down. You will slide around on the gravel or trip on a few rocks. Some people tried to quickly walk down the trail, but you need to walk slowly. The faster you walk, the more likely you are to fall.
I asked a couple hikers what they thought about the trail and the history of Mount Vesuvius. One hiker named Leslie said, “this is an amazing experience, and it is fascinating to know that I am hiking on a volcano that can be very destructive”. Another hiker named Jenny said, “The trail may be difficult for some, but overall it is worth it. The amazing view of Naples is something you do not see every day”. Both hikers suggested this trail to other tourists and locals.
If you want to see a breathtaking view, learn more about the history of Pompeii and the volcano that destroyed the city, and do something active, then you should definitely check out Mount Vesuvius. I am not an extremely athletic person, but I was still able to do complete the trail and it was an experience I will never forget. If you are visiting Pompeii, I believe visiting the volcano as well is necessary in order to get the most of your trip.
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