Monti Lattari: panoramic hiking on the backbone of the Sorrento Peninsula

The Monti Lattari are the backbone of the Sorrento Peninsula and the Amalfi Coast — a mountain range roughly 50 kilometres long that divides the Gulf of Naples from the Gulf of Salerno and offers some of the most extraordinary landscapes in Italy. The name is thought to derive from the abundance of pastures and dairy production in Roman times. Today the Monti Lattari are a paradise for hikers: the Alta Via dei Monti Lattari is a long-distance trail that traverses the entire range from Punta Campanella (the tip of the peninsula) towards Nocera, with constant views over both gulfs. The slopes are blanketed in dense forests of chestnuts, oaks and holm oaks, interspersed with terraced lemon groves and vineyards. The medieval villages perched on the ridges — Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi, Montepertuso, Nocelle — are unmissable stopping points. Numerous side trails descend towards the Amalfi Coast or the Sorrentine Peninsula, making loop hikes and point-to-point traverses possible. O'Vesuvio B&B in Torre del Greco is the ideal base for exploring this mountain system, with access to the main trailheads just 45 minutes away.

Alta Via dei Monti Lattari: the great ridge trail of the Sorrento Peninsula

The Alta Via dei Monti Lattari is one of southern Italy's most rewarding long-distance trails: a path that crosses the entire Lattari range from Punta Campanella — the southernmost tip of the Sorrento Peninsula, where a Roman lighthouse once stood guard over the Capri strait — to near Nocera Inferiore, covering approximately 55 kilometres in six or more stages. The trail, marked by the CAI and local guides, runs along the watershed ridge between the Gulf of Naples and the Gulf of Salerno, offering panoramas that constantly change and never cease to astonish. Every bend in the path reveals a new view: to the north, the Bay of Naples with Vesuvius rising above Torre del Greco (where O'Vesuvio B&B is based); to the south, the great blue sweep of the Amalfi Coast with Positano, Amalfi and Ravello identifiable from the ridge. The complete route takes 2-3 days with overnight stays in ridge villages or guesthouses. For guests based at O'Vesuvio B&B making day trips from Torre del Greco, the most accessible options start from Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi (45 minutes by car) with various descents towards Sorrento or towards the Amalfi Coast.

The medieval ridge villages: Sant'Agata, Montepertuso, Nocelle

One of the most captivating aspects of the Monti Lattari is the presence of medieval villages that have survived almost intact on the ridgeline at altitudes between 350 and 600 metres. Founded between the 10th and 12th centuries as refuges from coastal Saracen raids, these settlements preserve a rural architecture of extraordinary authenticity: local stone houses, cobbled lanes, communal fountains, Romanesque churches with tuff bell towers. Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi (384m) owes its name to its exceptional position: from here you can simultaneously see the Gulf of Naples and the Gulf of Salerno, with Capri and Ischia on one side and Positano and Amalfi on the other. Montepertuso (390m) is famous for the spectacular hole pierced through the limestone cliff above the village. Nocelle (480m) is the start or finish point of the Path of the Gods towards Positano. Mass tourism has not yet reached these villages, restaurants serve authentic mountain cuisine — pasta e fagioli, rabbit stew, lemon desserts — and life moves at the slow rhythm of the mountains.

Flora and nature of the Monti Lattari: a unique ecosystem

The Monti Lattari are classified as a Regional Park and represent one of the richest mountain ecosystems in southern Italy, thanks to the combination of Mediterranean climate, constant humidity brought by both gulfs, and altitudinal variation from sea level to 1,444 metres at Monte Faito. Plant biodiversity is exceptional: over 1,200 species of vascular plants have been recorded in the protected area. The lower belt (0-300m) is characterised by Mediterranean scrub and the famous terraced lemon groves producing the Amalfi Coast Lemon IGP. The middle belt (300-800m) is dominated by chestnut forests — producing the local chestnuts used in pastries — and oak woods. The upper belt (800-1,444m) hosts dense beech forests and summit meadows rich in orchids. Among the fauna: Bonelli's eagle (on migration), peregrine falcon (nesting), raven, weasel, Italian hare, fox. The Monti Lattari are an excellent birdwatching destination on day trips from O'Vesuvio B&B in Torre del Greco, particularly during spring and autumn migration.

Practical hikes in the Monti Lattari: recommended routes

For guests at O'Vesuvio B&B who want to hike in the Monti Lattari on a day trip from Torre del Greco, several options exist at varying difficulty levels. The most classic route is the Path of the Gods stretch from Bomerano to Nocelle (7.8 km, 3-4 hours). For more experienced hikers, the Alta Via section from Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi to Punta Campanella (12 km, 5-6 hours return) offers absolute panoramas and very few tourists. For families with children, the walk from Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi to the Ieranto Bay viewpoint (4 km, easy difficulty) is one of the finest on the peninsula: the protected FAI bay is accessible only on foot or by boat. For challenging trekking, the Monte Faito-Vico Equense traverse (8 km, EE difficulty) starting from the Monte Faito cable car offers high-altitude beech forests and summit meadows rare in southern Italy. The cable car departs from Castellammare di Stabia station, just 20 minutes by car from O'Vesuvio B&B.

How to reach the Monti Lattari from O'Vesuvio B&B in Torre del Greco

The location of O'Vesuvio B&B in Torre del Greco is ideal for accessing the Monti Lattari from multiple directions. For the northern slope (Sorrento Peninsula): follow the SS18 coastal road towards Vico Equense and Meta di Sorrento, then ascend towards Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi (SS145) or towards Agerola (SP366). Total travel time from Torre del Greco is 40-50 minutes. For the southern slope (Amalfi Coast): take motorway A3 to Vietri sul Mare then SS163 coastal road towards Amalfi and Agerola. Total time 60-75 minutes. For Monte Faito, the cable car departs from Castellammare di Stabia station (20 minutes from Torre del Greco) and climbs to 1,000 metres in 15 minutes. Recommended maps are the IGM 1:25,000 "Monti Lattari" sheet and the CAI "Penisola Sorrentina" map. The apps Komoot and Wikiloc offer accurate GPS tracks for all main trails. The B&B can provide up-to-date trail condition information on request.

Highlights

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  Alta Via dei Monti Lattari: long-distance trail connecting Punta Campanella to Nocera

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  Unique dual-gulf panoramas: Naples and Salerno visible simultaneously from the ridgeline

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  Chestnut and oak forests interspersed with terraced lemon groves and vineyards

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  Medieval ridge villages: Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi, Montepertuso, Nocelle

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  Connections with the Path of the Gods and numerous routes down to the Amalfi Coast