The most beautiful and wild scenery of Somma-Vesuvius

The itinerary allows you to enjoy the most evocative and wildest Somma-Vesuvius scenarios, crossing forest environments, from the Maquis shrubland to the bare lava rock.

The starting point is located along the road that leads from the Medici Palace of Ottaviano to the volcanic complex. A traffic barrier marks the first part of the path, which is common with path n. 1, winds along asphalted hairpin bends and then turns into a dirt path.

The plant landscape consists first of a thick stone pine wood and then of a mesophilous wood, with chestnuts, Italian alders and maples, holm oaks and black locusts. Among the nesting birds, the lesser spotted woodpecker, rare and localized in Campania, has only recently colonized the Vesuvius Park. After more than 1 kilometre of steep climb, you reach Largo Angelo Prisco, dedicated to the young financier murdered by poachers in 1995, which represents the close destination.

On the left, path n. 1 separates itself from the Largo, while the itinerary continues on the right in a weak ascent, passing, between bends and turns, in a shady chestnut wood where the numerous species of fungi emanate an intense and pleasant fragrance.

After about 1,200 metres there is a bar, on the right of which there is a branch, first passable and then pedestrian, which reaches the road that from Santa Maria di Castello ascends to Punta Nasone, thus connecting path n. 2 with n. 3. At present a landslide prevents this connection. Instead, our route continues on the left, continuing along a dense stone pine wood and Aleppo pine, to which species of the Italian alder and the European hop-hornbeam are then added.

At the end of the wood, the path opens into the vegetation of brooms, embellished by the presence of drywalls from the Bourbon era. Going up some hairpin turns, you reach the crossroads; take the path on the right that leads to a panoramic square, where the intermediate destination is located.

You’ll be taken aback by the sight of the imposing Punta Nasone (north-west), the Gran Cono of Mount Vesuvius (south-west), Atrio del Cavallo invaded by the lava of 1944 (west) and, at its feet, Canalone dell’Arena and Valle dell'Inferno.

Turning on the left, you can find a steep slope that ascends to the cognoli of Ottaviano (1,112 metres above sea level) and continues along the ridge through a series of spectacular ups and downs on volcanic sand, up to a pass (1,001 metres above sea level), from which you run down through a very steep stretch up to Valle dell'Inferno.

The valley is dominated by imposing rocky spurs, unique lava formations and red lava walls. It’s the kingdom of rupicolous birds, like the shining common raven, the very fast peregrine falcon and the lively black-eared wheatear.

The path, which here is in common with itinerary n. 1, follows the valley crossing thick brooms and at the end it bends to the left to go up the ridge of the cognoli of Levante, where you can admire the most beautiful formation of the Vesuvius ropy lava, engraved by a deep crevice and inhabited by numerous species of fern.

Following the slit on the right you arrive at its access point, from which you can go for a few metres in the belly of the volcano for a unique emotion. The pro route follows with a series of ups and downs that lead to a wide open space (780 metres above sea level).

A dirt road leads back to the Largo Prisco through pleasing stretches of brooms and mixed wood, from which the route goes back to the entrance, where the destination is.