Mount Somma is a mountainous relief partially surrounding Vesuvius, characterized by seven peaks called Cognoli.
Going for a hike on Mount Somma means getting away from the classic tourist itineraries, it means walking along some of the wildest and most fascinating paths in the park, crossing woods with a typical Mediterranean vegetation, walking on the lava rock and enjoying unique landscapes.
Starting from the Valley of Delights, a square located at the end of the road that climbs from the Medici palace of Octavian, the route begins, characterized by some hairpin bends inside a pine forest. After about 500 meters the asphalted road gives way to the path almost entirely made of material of volcanic origin. The vegetation changes in the blink of an eye, the holm oaks rise thick and mysterious, making space in some spots for the fascinating yellow of the gorse.
After just over 1 km and a half there is Largo Angelo Prisco at an altitude of 700 meters where there is a commemorative plaque dedicated to the financier murdered by poachers on 19 December 1995.
At this point there are three roads that can be traveled: taking the central path (connecting path between n.1 and n.2 of the park) we will arrive in about 2 km on the crest of the ancient volcano, enjoying an unusual and majestic view of the Vesuvius and Hell Valley. At that point walking on the crest of the mountain (path 2 of the park) with the background of the stone giant that dominates the gulf, surrounded by the Lattari Mountains, will take our breath away.
We will then take a path of sandy earth and lapilli that descends towards the Hell Valley (path n.1 of the park), a place that separates Mount Somma from the Vesuvius, so called in the past because of the desolation of the area desertified by eruptions. The path continues on the left, heading south, reaching the formations called “lava rope", where the rock seems to have been shaped by nature and where time seems to have stopped.
Continuing to walk along the path we will reach a clearing. The descent that will take us back to the plaque dedicated to Angelo Prisco will continue, before resuming the initial hairpin bends and concluding this experience of walking between history and nature delivered to eternity.
Length 10 km
Difference in altitude +/- 400 m
Metadventures are a group of young Environmental Hiking Guides from Naples, their goal is to enhance the lesser known parts of Campania with experiences between metaphysics and adventure, as suggested by their name. Their proposals aim to get you out of the daily routine by stimulating the common human need to look for something new. The routes in the Vesuvius National Park are certainly among their favorite, where the energy of the volcano is combined with their enthusiasm in guiding people.
Mail. metadventures18@gmail.com
Phone number: +39 348 6442791
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