Alta Via dei Monti Lattari - 02

The Alta Via dei Monti Lattari - 02 is a 5-km point-to-point trail in the Campania region of southern Italy, climbing roughly 600 m to the slopes of Monte Finestra at 1,112 m. Rated demanding (EE, experienced hiker), this second stage of the CAI 300 high route trades exposed limestone ridges and sheer sea views for some of the most dramatic walking above the Amalfi Coast.

About the Alta Via dei Monti Lattari - 02

The Alta Via dei Monti Lattari is the great ridge traverse of the Sorrento Peninsula, a 300-numbered route maintained by the Italian Alpine Club (Club Alpino Italiano, CAI) that runs the spine of the Monti Lattari from Cava de' Tirreni in the east to Punta Campanella, the tip of the peninsula opposite Capri. The full line is broken into eleven official stages covering about 80 km; Stage 02 is the second of these, a short but serious 5-km section that links the Valico di Chiunzi area near the Advocate Sanctuary (Santuario dell'Avvocata) to the northern flank of Monte Finestra at roughly 1,112 m.

This stage is curated by the Sezione CAI di Cava de' Tirreni, the volunteer section responsible for waymarking and trail upkeep across the eastern Lattari. The route follows the classic red-and-white CAI blazes (sentiero 300) and is described by the trail authority as suitable for those with mountain experience, sound fitness and the ability to read maps and GPS tracks. Despite the modest 5-km figure, the walking is graded EE — "Escursionisti Esperti", or experienced hikers — because of steep gradients, rough surfaces and short exposed passages with drops toward the sea.

What makes the Monti Lattari distinct is the geology. These are jagged limestone and dolomite peaks rising abruptly from the Tyrrhenian Sea, so a stage barely 5 km long delivers an outsized vertical experience: terraced lemon groves and chestnut woods below, bare karst ridgeline above, and on a clear day a panorama stretching from Mount Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples to the island of Capri. The Monti Lattari are protected within the Parco Regionale dei Monti Lattari, a regional park covering more than 16,000 hectares, which adds a layer of conservation rules and well-kept paths to the experience.

Route Overview & Stages

Stage 02 is best understood within the full 300 traverse. The table below places this 5-km section in context alongside the stages that bracket it, using the official CAI distances and maximum elevations. Stage 02 itself is short but steep, with around 600 m of cumulative ascent packed into the climb toward Monte Finestra.

Because Stage 02 runs only 5 km, most hikers combine it with Stage 01 or Stage 03 to make a satisfying day; on its own it takes roughly 2.5 to 3.5 hours depending on conditions and how long you linger on the Monte Finestra crest. The figure that matters here is not the horizontal distance but the gradient — the trail gains height fast, and the descent on the far side toward the Monte Finestra notch is where most of the EE-grade scrambling lives.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Monte Finestra (1,112 m / 1,138 m twin peaks) — The defining landmark of the stage, a craggy double summit whose name ("window mountain") comes from the gap between its two horns, framing the sea beyond.
• Santuario dell'Avvocata — The Advocate Sanctuary near the start, a hermitage perched at around 1,000 m above Maiori, a place of pilgrimage since the 13th century and the natural junction with Stage 01.
• Valico di Chiunzi — The mountain pass connecting the Tramonti valley to the Sarno plain, a historic crossing point and a useful road-access node for hikers walking only Stage 02.
• Tramonti valley terraces — Below the ridge spread the vineyards and lemon groves of Tramonti, a scattered commune of thirteen hamlets famous for Costa d'Amalfi DOC wine and the original wood-fired pizza tradition.
• Amalfi Coast panorama — From the crest the trail overlooks Maiori, Minori and the cliffs running toward Ravello and Amalfi, with the Tyrrhenian Sea filling the horizon.
• Capri and the Bay of Naples — On clear days the view opens west to Capri, north to Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples — a payoff disproportionate to the short distance walked.
• Karst limestone formations — The bare upper sections cross fissured grey limestone typical of the Monti Lattari, with seasonal wildflowers, wild orchids and Mediterranean scrub clinging to the rock.
• Chestnut and holm-oak woodland — Lower passages thread through shady chestnut groves that provide welcome cover on warm days and turn copper in autumn.

Best Time to Hike the Alta Via dei Monti Lattari - 02

The official trail authority recommends spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October), and that guidance holds firmly as of 2026. The single best month is May: daytime temperatures on the ridge typically sit around 16–22°C, the limestone slopes are green and dense with wildflowers and wild orchids, water sources are more reliable after winter rains, and the long daylight makes the short 5-km stage relaxed rather than rushed.

April can still bring lingering damp and cloud that hides the Capri panorama, while June is excellent but warming quickly. Summer — July and August — is the worst window: the exposed EE sections offer little shade, temperatures regularly exceed 30°C in the valleys, and the combination of heat and steep rock makes the climb to Monte Finestra genuinely punishing. September and October return ideal conditions, with stable air, warm sea-tempered days and the chestnut woods turning gold, though autumn brings a higher chance of sudden afternoon thunderstorms. Winter walking (December to February) is possible on clear spells but the upper ridge can hold ice, fog reduces the exposed sections to a navigational hazard, and many family-run accommodations close.

Practical Information

Accommodation

The Monti Lattari has no mountain-hut network like the Alps, so lodging clusters in the valley towns and at trailside agriturismi. For Stage 02, the trail authority specifically recommends overnighting at "Al Valico" near the Valico di Chiunzi in Tramonti, a convenient base at the stage junction. Expect roughly €45–75 per night for a double room in a B&B or agriturismo in Tramonti and Maiori, with half-board options (dinner plus breakfast) around €60–90 per person — good value given the home-cooked Costa d'Amalfi cuisine. Budget travellers can find hostel-style rooms in Maiori from about €30. Wild camping is not permitted inside the Parco Regionale dei Monti Lattari, so plan around fixed accommodation; the next official rest point west, "La Sorgente del Melo" at Santa Maria del Castello, serves hikers continuing the traverse.

Getting There & Back

The gateway city is Salerno, reached in about 35–45 minutes by high-speed train from Naples Centrale, which in turn connects to Naples International Airport (NAP) roughly 15 km away. From Salerno, SITA Sud buses run along the SS163 Amalfi Coast road to Maiori (about 45–60 minutes), from where local services and taxis climb to the Valico di Chiunzi and Tramonti — budget another 30–40 minutes by road. Because Stage 02 is point-to-point and ends on a ridge, most hikers arrange a taxi pickup at the nearest road head or build the stage into a multi-day walk and continue on foot. Driving is feasible: park near the Valico di Chiunzi, but note the Amalfi Coast roads are narrow, winding and heavily congested between June and September.

Permits & Fees

No permit or entry fee is required to walk the Alta Via dei Monti Lattari - 02. The route is a free, publicly accessible CAI trail within a regional park. There are no booking systems or daily quotas. The only costs are accommodation, food and transport. Hikers should still respect park rules: stay on marked paths, carry out all waste, light no fires, and avoid the route in red-flag fire-risk conditions during summer, when local authorities may temporarily restrict access to wooded zones.

Gear & Packing List

Stage 02 is short but technical, so pack for an EE-grade mountain walk rather than a coastal stroll. Sturdy boots with aggressive tread are essential for the rough limestone and steep descents, and trekking poles take real load off the knees on the drop from Monte Finestra. Sun protection is non-negotiable on the exposed crest, and you should carry at least 2 litres of water per person — reliable sources are scarce on the ridge. A lightweight, well-fitted pack keeps the climb comfortable; for a single stage or a light multi-day push, a streamlined load carrier such as the 2400 Windrider or the larger 3400 Windrider works well, while those wanting more structure and a hipbelt for steep terrain may prefer the Abisko Hike 35. Add a wind shell, a warm mid-layer for the breezy summit, a basic first-aid kit and a paper map plus a GPS track, since the trail authority stresses navigation skills for this section. For tuning your daily fuel on a steep day like this, see our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day, and if you are shopping for a pack, our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 compares seven tested options.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the ridgeline character of the Monti Lattari appeals, Italy's Dolomites offer the same exposed alpine drama on a far longer scale. The classic Alte Vie are multi-day high routes that string together summits, refuges and passes — a natural next step once you have the Lattari experience. Explore these related Italian high routes: Alta Via n. 2 delle Dolomiti - Dolomiten-Höhenweg Nr. 2 (185 km), Alta via n. 6 delle Dolomiti (180 km), Alta via n. 6 delle Dolomiti - XI tappa (180 km), Alta via n. 6 delle Dolomiti - X tappa (180 km), and Alta via n. 9 delle Dolomiti - Dolomiten-Höhenweg Nr. 9 (140 km). For a rugged international point-to-point with similar coastal-to-mountain contrast, our guide to the Theth to Valbona trail in Albania is a strong pick.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Alta Via dei Monti Lattari - 02?
May is the single best month, with ridge temperatures around 16–22°C, wildflowers in bloom and reliable water. The wider sweet spots are April–June and September–October. Avoid July and August, when heat above 30°C and almost no shade make the exposed climb to Monte Finestra genuinely dangerous, and skip winter unless conditions are clear and stable.

How difficult is this trail?
It is rated EE ("Escursionisti Esperti", experienced hiker) by CAI — demanding despite its short length. Expect roughly 600 m of steep ascent over just 5 km, rough limestone surfaces, and short exposed sections with drops toward the sea. You should have prior mountain experience, good fitness and the ability to navigate with map and GPS. It is not suitable for beginners or in poor visibility.

How long does the stage take and what is the distance per day?
Stage 02 is about 5 km and takes most hikers 2.5 to 3.5 hours, so on its own it is a half-day. Because it is so short, many walkers combine it with Stage 01 (6.5 km) or Stage 03 (9.4 km) to build a fuller 11–15 km day, which is more typical of the broader Alta Via traverse.

Where can I stay along the route?
There are no mountain refuges, so lodging is in valley towns and agriturismi. The trail authority recommends "Al Valico" near the Valico di Chiunzi in Tramonti. Expect €45–75 per night for a B&B double, or €60–90 per person for half-board. Maiori has budget rooms from about €30. Book ahead in spring and autumn, as family-run places are small and fill quickly.

Do I need a permit or pay any fees?
No. The Alta Via dei Monti Lattari - 02 is a free, publicly accessible CAI trail inside the Parco Regionale dei Monti Lattari, with no permits, quotas or entry fees. Your only costs are accommodation, food and transport. Wild camping is prohibited within the park, and summer fire-risk restrictions may temporarily close wooded sections, so check local notices before setting out.

For full route details, GPX downloads and stage updates, consult the official Alta Via dei Monti Lattari trail authority, and for the regional protected-area framework see the Parco Regionale dei Monti Lattari.