Alta Via dei Monti Lattari - 01

The Alta Via dei Monti Lattari - 01 is a 7-km point-to-point trail in the Campania region of southern Italy, climbing roughly 800 m of elevation over a single day. Rated E (hiking level) with steep, stepped sections, it forms the opening stage of the historic CAI-300 high route and leads from Cava de' Tirreni up to the cliff-top Avvocata Sanctuary above the Amalfi Coast.

About the Alta Via dei Monti Lattari - 01

The Alta Via dei Monti Lattari is a 50-kilometre-plus high route, waymarked as CAI-300, that traverses the limestone spine of the Monti Lattari from Cava de' Tirreni near Salerno all the way to Punta Campanella at the tip of the Sorrento Peninsula. The full traverse is split into 11 official stages and is most commonly walked over six days. This page covers Stage 01, the 7-kilometre opening leg that lifts walkers from the valley floor at Cava de' Tirreni to the Santuario di Santa Maria dell'Avvocata, perched at around 1,014 metres above the Gulf of Salerno.

The route is maintained by the Sezione CAI - Cava dei Tirreni, the local chapter of the Club Alpino Italiano, which marks the path with the standard red-and-white CAI flashes and the route number 300. Stage 01 is rated E on the CAI scale — an Escursionistico (hiking) grade that requires steady footing on stone steps and stamina for a sustained climb, but no technical equipment or via ferrata experience. Expect roughly 800 metres of ascent packed into 7 kilometres, which makes the gradient relentless even though the distance is short.

What sets this stage apart is its dual character: it is both a mountain hike and a pilgrimage. The Avvocata Sanctuary has drawn worshippers since the 16th century, and the mule track you follow was carved for pilgrims and farmers long before recreational hikers arrived. Lemon terraces, chestnut woods and bare karst ridges trade places as you climb, and on a clear day the summit rewards you with views over the Amalfi Coast, Capri and the smoking cone of Vesuvius across the Bay of Naples.

Route Overview & Stages

Stage 01 begins in the historic centre of Cava de' Tirreni and finishes at the Avvocata Sanctuary. For context, the table below shows Stage 01 alongside the next two stages of the CAI-300, so you can see how the opening leg fits into the wider Alta Via traverse toward Sorrento.

Stage 01 itself starts beside the Benedictine Abbey of the Santissima Trinità in Corpo di Cava, around 190 metres above sea level. From there the path climbs steadily through the hamlets above town, links onto the old pilgrim mule track, and grinds upward through woodland and rock to reach the sanctuary near 1,014 metres. Most fit walkers complete the climb in 3 to 4 hours, allowing time at the top for the panorama before descending toward the Valico di Chiunzi to link with Stage 02.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Benedictine Abbey of the Santissima Trinità — the 11th-century abbey at Corpo di Cava marks the official start; its medieval cloister and crypt are open to visitors and make a worthwhile pre-hike stop.
• Cava de' Tirreni old town — the arcaded Corso Umberto I, one of the few porticoed streets in southern Italy, sits at roughly 190 m and offers your last cafés and bakeries before the climb.
• Lemon and olive terraces — the lower slopes are cut into the famous Amalfi terracing, where sfusato lemons and olives have been farmed for centuries.
• Pilgrim mule track — a stone-stepped historic path, smoothed by generations of feet, that forms the spine of the ascent.
• Santuario di Santa Maria dell'Avvocata — the cliff-edge sanctuary at ~1,014 m, a place of pilgrimage since the 16th century and the stage's finish point.
• Gulf of Salerno viewpoint — from the terrace beside the sanctuary the coastline unfurls south toward Salerno and the Cilento.
• Monte Avvocata summit — a short detour above the sanctuary opens panoramas over the Bay of Naples, Capri and Vesuvius on clear days.
• Valico di Chiunzi — the saddle near the stage finish, a historic mountain pass and the logical overnight halt before Stage 02.

Best Time to Hike the Alta Via dei Monti Lattari - 01

The Monti Lattari sit in a Mediterranean climate, so the hiking window is wide but the comfortable window is narrower than the calendar suggests. The two prime seasons are spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October), when daytime temperatures hover between 15 and 24 °C and the limestone steps are dry and grippy. Midsummer — July and August — is genuinely punishing here: the south-facing slopes bake well above 30 °C, there is almost no shade on the upper sections, and the climb of 800 m in 7 km becomes a heat-stroke risk rather than a pleasure.

The single best month is May. As of 2026, May delivers long daylight hours, wildflowers across the terraces, reliably dry trails, and water sources that have not yet dried out for the summer. Spring rain has usually eased, the sea views are at their clearest before the summer haze settles in, and crowds on the Amalfi Coast below are still manageable. October is a close second, with stable weather and softer light, though daylight shortens and afternoon showers become more likely later in the month. Winter hiking is possible on milder days but the upper ridge can ice over and cloud frequently smothers the sanctuary view.

Practical Information

Accommodation

Stage 01 is a day climb, so most walkers sleep in Cava de' Tirreni the night before and at or near the Valico di Chiunzi afterward. In Cava de' Tirreni, B&Bs and small hotels run roughly €60–€110 per double room per night. At the end of the stage, the agriturismo and rooms around Valico di Chiunzi (the "Al Valico" lodging is the route's recommended halt) charge approximately €70–€100 for a double, often including a hearty Tramonti dinner. The Avvocata Sanctuary itself has a basic pilgrim refuge area, but it is not a reliable booked bed — treat it as a viewpoint, not lodging. Wild camping is not permitted on the protected slopes, so plan around fixed accommodation. If you are weighing how much food to carry between stops, our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day helps you size your daily rations.

Getting There & Back

Cava de' Tirreni has its own railway station on the Salerno–Naples line, a short walk from the abbey trailhead. From Naples Centrale the regional train reaches Cava de' Tirreni in about 45–55 minutes; from Salerno it is roughly 10 minutes. The nearest airport is Naples International (NAP), about 60 km away — allow around 70–90 minutes by train via Naples Centrale, or by car on the A3 motorway. After the stage, buses from the Valico di Chiunzi and nearby Tramonti connect down to Maiori on the coast and back to the rail network; regional bus and rail timetables are run by the Campania transport authority. Confirm current schedules with EAV, the Campania regional transport operator before you travel, as rural services thin out on Sundays and holidays.

Permits & Fees

No permit or entry fee is required to hike Stage 01 of the Alta Via dei Monti Lattari — the CAI-300 is a free public trail. The Avvocata Sanctuary is open to visitors at no charge, though donations toward its upkeep are welcomed. Full route descriptions, stage GPX files and the official waymarking are published by the maintaining section; download the latest tracks from the official Alta Via dei Monti Lattari project before setting out, as some signage on the lower hamlet streets can be ambiguous.

Gear & Packing List

Stage 01 is a steep, hot day hike rather than a multi-day expedition, so pack light and prioritise foot care and hydration. The climb of 800 m on stone steps punishes heavy loads, which is why a streamlined daypack matters. For a fast, comfortable single day you want a vest-style or compact pack such as the Salomon ADV Skin 12 or the slightly larger Salomon ADV Skin 20, which carry water bottles up front and keep weight high and stable on the steps. If you are linking several Alta Via stages and carrying overnight kit between huts, step up to a lightweight 35-litre pack like the Fjällräven Abisko Hike 35.

Beyond the pack, bring trail shoes with grippy rubber for polished limestone, at least 2 litres of water (sources are unreliable in summer), sun protection, and trekking poles to spare your knees on the descent. A light shell guards against spring showers. For a broader look at how to keep base weight down across longer Italian high routes, see our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the Alta Via dei Monti Lattari whets your appetite for Italian high routes, the Dolomites offer the country's most celebrated multi-day traverses — longer, higher and rifugio-supported, but sharing the same waymarked "Alta Via" lineage. These five make natural next objectives:

• Alta Via n. 2 delle Dolomiti - Dolomiten-Höhenweg Nr. 2 (Italy), 185 km
• Alta via n. 6 delle Dolomiti (Italy), 180 km
• Alta via n. 6 delle Dolomiti - XI tappa (Italy), 180 km
• Alta via n. 6 delle Dolomiti - X tappa (Italy), 180 km
• Alta via n. 9 delle Dolomiti - Dolomiten-Höhenweg Nr. 9 (Italy), 140 km

For a shorter cross-border hut-to-hut adventure with a similar climb-and-descend rhythm, the Theth to Valbona trail in Albania is another excellent way to test your legs on a single big mountain day.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Alta Via dei Monti Lattari - 01?

May is the single best month, with dry trails, wildflowers, clear sea views and temperatures of 15–24 °C. The broader prime windows are spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October). Avoid July and August, when the exposed south-facing slopes regularly exceed 30 °C and the shadeless 800 m climb becomes a serious heat risk.

How difficult is Stage 01 of the Alta Via dei Monti Lattari?

It is rated E (Escursionistico) on the CAI scale — a hiking grade requiring no technical equipment, but it is physically demanding. You climb roughly 800 m over just 7 km on stone steps and mule tracks, so the gradient is sustained and steep. Good fitness, sturdy grippy footwear and trekking poles for the descent are strongly recommended.

How long does the stage take per day?

Stage 01 is a single-day hike of about 7 km. Most reasonably fit walkers reach the Avvocata Sanctuary in 3 to 4 hours of climbing, plus time at the top for the panorama and the descent toward Valico di Chiunzi. On the full CAI-300 traverse, daily stages run 3–9 km and demand up to 6 hours of walking in mountain terrain.

Where can I sleep along the route?

Stay in a B&B or hotel in Cava de' Tirreni (about €60–€110 per double) the night before, then book accommodation around the Valico di Chiunzi (roughly €70–€100 per double) at the stage end. The "Al Valico" lodging is the recommended halt. Wild camping is prohibited on these protected slopes, so plan around fixed beds and reserve ahead in peak season.

Do I need a permit or pay any fees?

No. The CAI-300 Alta Via dei Monti Lattari is a free public trail requiring no permit or entry fee, and the Avvocata Sanctuary is open to visitors at no charge, though donations toward its upkeep are appreciated. Download the official stage GPX tracks and waymarking notes from the maintaining CAI section before you set out to stay on route.