Alta Via dei Monti Lattari - 04

The Alta Via dei Monti Lattari - 04 is a 3-km point-to-point trail in the Monti Lattari range of Campania, Italy, climbing roughly 400 m to the summit of Monte Cerreto at 1290 m. Rated EE (for experienced hikers), this short but steep segment of the 300CAI long-distance route delivers panoramic views over the Amalfi Coast, the Bay of Naples and Capri.

About the Alta Via dei Monti Lattari - 04

The Alta Via dei Monti Lattari - 04 is the fourth stage of the celebrated 300CAI long-distance path that traverses the Monti Lattari, the limestone spine separating the Amalfi Coast from the Bay of Naples in the Campania region of southern Italy. At just 3 km, Stage 04 is the shortest segment of the entire route, yet it is one of the most demanding. It links Tuoro di Cesarano with the summit area of Monte Cerreto, which at 1290 m is among the highest points on the whole traverse.

This is a Regional Walking Network (RWN) route, a significant regional itinerary maintained by the Italian Alpine Club. The local custodian is the Sezione CAI - Cava dei Tirreni, the same section that pioneered and waymarks the wider 300CAI trail. The path is signed with the standard red-and-white CAI blazes, and the difficulty grade of EE ("Escursionisti Esperti", meaning experienced hikers) reflects exposed sections, steep stone steps and stretches that require sure footing and the ability to read the terrain.

Despite its brevity, Stage 04 captures the essence of the Monti Lattari: a half-height balcony walk where dramatic drops toward the deep blue Tyrrhenian Sea alternate with shaded woodland and karst meadow. On a clear day the summit of Monte Cerreto opens onto a sweep that takes in Mount Vesuvius, the Sorrento Peninsula and the island of Capri. Because the stage is so concentrated, many hikers combine it with the adjacent Stage 03 or Stage 05 to build a fuller day on the mountain.

Route Overview & Stages

The Alta Via dei Monti Lattari - 04 is one segment within the 11-section 300CAI traverse that runs roughly 50 km from Cava de' Tirreni in the east to the Sorrento Peninsula in the west. The table below places Stage 04 in context with the neighbouring stages most hikers pair it with.

Stage 04 itself can be summarised as a single sustained ascent. From Tuoro di Cesarano, a hamlet above the Tramonti valley, the path gains height steadily through mixed beech and oak woodland before breaking onto open karst slopes. The final pull to the 1290 m crest of Monte Cerreto involves rocky steps and short scrambly sections that justify the EE rating. Reckon on 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours despite the modest 3 km distance, because the gradient rarely eases.

Navigation is generally straightforward thanks to the consistent red-and-white CAI waymarks, but the upper karst slopes can be confusing in mist when the path braids across open grassland. Carry the downloaded GPX track and a paper map as backup. The stage sits entirely within the Monti Lattari Regional Park, so you walk through a protected landscape of endemic flora and traditional terraced agriculture for its full length. There is no water on the climb, so fill up before leaving Tuoro di Cesarano.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Monte Cerreto summit (1290 m) — the high point of the stage and one of the loftiest viewpoints on the entire 300CAI, with 360-degree panoramas spanning the Gulf of Salerno and the Bay of Naples.
• Tuoro di Cesarano — the starting hamlet above Tramonti, a cluster of stone houses surrounded by chestnut woods and terraced vineyards.
• Capri panorama — on clear mornings the limestone profile of the island of Capri floats on the horizon beyond the Sorrento Peninsula.
• Mount Vesuvius views — looking north, the unmistakable cone of Vesuvius (1281 m) rises across the Bay of Naples.
• Karst meadows of the upper Lattari — open grassland dotted with sinkholes and grazed by hardy local livestock, a striking contrast to the wooded lower slopes.
• Beech and oak woodland — the shaded first half of the climb passes through mature deciduous forest that turns gold and copper in October.
• Valico di Chiunzi corridor — the nearby pass linking Tramonti to the Sarno plain, historically a key crossing of the range and a common access point.
• Amalfi Coast balcony views — throughout the climb, gaps in the trees reveal the deep blue Tyrrhenian and the terraced lemon groves cascading toward Maiori and Minori.

Best Time to Hike the Alta Via dei Monti Lattari - 04

The exposed, steep nature of Stage 04 makes timing important. The best windows are spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October), when temperatures are comfortable and the limestone is dry and grippy underfoot. The single best month is May, when daytime temperatures on the ridge typically sit around 16–20 °C, wildflowers carpet the karst meadows, and the long daylight hours give plenty of margin for the steep climb to Monte Cerreto.

Summer (July and August) is best avoided: the Campanian heat regularly pushes coastal temperatures above 32 °C, and the largely shadeless upper section of the stage offers little relief. If you must hike in high summer, start at dawn and carry extra water. Winter (December to February) brings unstable weather, possible snow and ice on the 1290 m summit, and frequent low cloud that erases the views that make this stage worthwhile. As of 2026, the Sezione CAI - Cava dei Tirreni continues to recommend the April–June and September–October shoulder seasons for the full 300CAI traverse, and the same guidance applies to Stage 04. Always check the weather the evening before, because afternoon thunderstorms can build quickly over the ridge even in fine spells.

Practical Information

Accommodation

There is no mountain refuge directly on Stage 04 itself, so most hikers base in the valley towns and tackle the segment as part of a longer day. The official 300CAI itinerary suggests an overnight at "Al Valico" at the Valico di Chiunzi in Tramonti at the end of the first long day, and "La Sorgente del Melo" at Santa Maria del Castello further west. Expect to pay roughly €60–€90 for a double room in a family-run B&B or agriturismo around Tramonti and Cava de' Tirreni, with farmstay half-board options from about €45–€55 per person. Budget travellers can find hostel beds in Salerno from around €25–€35 per night. Wild camping is not permitted; if you carry a tent, ask permission at an agriturismo, where a pitch may cost €10–€15.

Getting There & Back

The natural gateway is Salerno, served by frequent regional and high-speed trains. From Naples Centrale, trains reach Salerno in roughly 35–45 minutes; from Rome the journey is about 2 hours by high-speed Frecciarossa. The nearest major airport is Naples International (NAP), about 60 km away, from which Salerno is reachable by direct bus or by train via Naples Centrale in around 1 hour 15 minutes. From Salerno or Cava de' Tirreni, local SITA buses serve Tramonti and the Valico di Chiunzi, from where you can reach the Tuoro di Cesarano trailhead; allow extra time, as upland bus services are infrequent. A taxi or pre-arranged transfer to the trailhead is the most reliable option for an early start.

Permits & Fees

No permit or entry fee is required to walk the Alta Via dei Monti Lattari - 04. The trail is a free, publicly accessible CAI route maintained by the Sezione CAI - Cava dei Tirreni. There are no gates or checkpoints. The only costs are transport, accommodation and food. GPX tracks for each stage are published free of charge on the official trail website, and downloading the Stage 04 track in advance is strongly advised given the EE grade and limited phone signal on the ridge. For full route details and the latest stage notes, consult the official Alta Via dei Monti Lattari website and the national Club Alpino Italiano (CAI), which sets the difficulty grading standards used here.

Gear & Packing List

Stage 04 is short but steep and exposed, so pack as you would for a serious mountain day rather than a coastal stroll. Sturdy boots or approach shoes with good grip are essential for the stone steps and rocky scrambly sections near the Monte Cerreto summit. Carry at least 2 litres of water, as there are no reliable springs on the climb, plus sun protection and a windproof layer for the breezy crest. Trekking poles help on the steep descent if you continue onto Stage 05.

Because the distance is modest, a lightweight daypack is ideal. The Salomon ADV Skin 12 suits fast-and-light hikers doing Stage 04 alone, while the Fjällräven Abisko Hike 35 carries comfortably if you are linking several stages with overnight kit. Thru-hikers tackling the whole 300CAI with ultralight setups often favour the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Windrider. For more options, see our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026. Fuel matters on steep climbs too: plan your snacks with help from our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the high-balcony character of the Monti Lattari appeals, Italy's Dolomites offer the country's most famous high routes on a grander scale. These multi-day Alte Vie share the same EE-and-above terrain and reward the same head for heights, but trade Tyrrhenian sea views for limestone towers and alpine refuges.

• 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 cross-border classic with a similarly hut-to-hut rhythm, our guide to the Theth to Valbona trail in Albania covers another short but spectacular mountain crossing well suited to confident day hikers.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Alta Via dei Monti Lattari - 04?
May is the single best month, with ridge temperatures around 16–20 °C, dry limestone underfoot and wildflowers across the karst meadows. The broader sweet spots are April–June and September–October. Avoid July and August, when the largely shadeless climb to Monte Cerreto becomes dangerously hot, and winter, when snow, ice and low cloud are common.

How difficult is Stage 04?
It carries the CAI grade EE, meaning it is for experienced hikers. Although only 3 km long, it climbs roughly 400 m to the 1290 m summit of Monte Cerreto over steep stone steps, exposed slopes and short scrambly sections. You need sure footing, a head for heights and the ability to read terrain. It is not suitable for beginners or in wet, icy conditions.

How long does Stage 04 take and how far is it per day?
Stage 04 covers just 3 km, but its sustained gradient means most hikers take 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours. Because it is so short, many combine it with the neighbouring Stage 03 (9.4 km) or Stage 05 (8.2 km) to build a full day of 11–12 km, keeping daily distances modest but vertically demanding across the Monti Lattari.

Where can I stay near the trail?
There is no refuge on Stage 04 itself, so hikers base in valley towns like Tramonti and Cava de' Tirreni. Family-run B&Bs and agriturismi cost roughly €60–€90 for a double, or €45–€55 per person half-board. Hostels in nearby Salerno start around €25–€35. Wild camping is prohibited; ask at an agriturismo, where a tent pitch may cost €10–€15.

Do I need a permit or pay a fee?
No. The Alta Via dei Monti Lattari - 04 is a free, publicly accessible CAI route maintained by the Sezione CAI - Cava dei Tirreni, with no permits, gates or entry charges. Your only costs are transport, accommodation and food. Free GPX tracks for each stage are available on the official trail website, which is well worth downloading given the limited phone signal on the ridge.