Alta Via dei Monti Lattari - 07

The Alta Via dei Monti Lattari - 07 is a 20-km point-to-point ridge trail in the Monti Lattari of Campania, Italy, gaining roughly 1,200 m of elevation in a single long day and topping out near 1,374 m. Rated strenuous (CAI grade E/EE), it traverses the high spine above the Sorrento Peninsula and the Amalfi Coast, pairing exposed limestone crests with sweeping views of the Bay of Naples, Vesuvius and Capri.

About the Alta Via dei Monti Lattari - 07

The Alta Via dei Monti Lattari is the long-distance high route that runs the full length of the Monti Lattari, the limestone massif that forms the backbone of the Sorrento Peninsula and the Amalfi Coast in Campania. The complete itinerary is catalogued by the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI) as trail 300 and is divided into eleven numbered segments stretching roughly 73 km from the Salerno side in the east to Punta Campanella in the west. Segment 07 is one of the most demanding and most scenic of these stages, a 20-km point-to-point section maintained by the Sezione CAI - Castellammare di Stabia.

This stage sits at the heart of the range, where the ridge climbs to its highest ground. The maximum elevation reached on Part 7 is about 1,374 m, on the airy crest near Monte Sant'Angelo a Tre Pizzi and the shoulder of Monte Cerreto, before the route swings toward Monte Faito above Castellammare di Stabia. Because it follows the watershed, the trail delivers the signature Monti Lattari contrast: on one side the deep blue of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the cliff-hung villages of the Amalfi Coast, on the other the Bay of Naples with Vesuvius rising across the water.

The Monti Lattari take their name ("milk mountains") from the dairy pastures that once covered the high meadows, and the range is protected within the Parco Regionale dei Monti Lattari. Segment 07 is classified as RWN — a significant Regional Walking Network route — and is waymarked in the red-and-white CAI colours, with the 300 number appearing on rocks, posts and the occasional painted wall. It is point-to-point rather than a loop, so planning transport at both ends is part of the day.

Route Overview & Stages

Segment 07 is normally walked as a single hiking day, but it breaks naturally into sub-sections defined by the saddles and summits along the ridge. The table below splits the 20 km into the four logical legs most walkers use to pace the day. Distances and elevation figures are approximate and should be confirmed against the official CAI map before setting out.

Total ascent across the segment is in the region of 1,200 m, with a comparable amount of descent, and most parties take 7 to 9 hours including breaks. The terrain alternates between forested paths and open, rocky ridge, and a few short sections near the Tre Pizzi are mildly exposed, which is why the stage carries an EE (expert hiker) rating in places rather than straightforward E.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Monte Sant'Angelo a Tre Pizzi (1,444 m) — The three-pointed summit massif that dominates the central Lattari; the trail's high crest near 1,374 m skirts its flanks for the day's biggest panoramas.
• Monte Molare (1,444 m) — The highest peak in the entire range, visible throughout the central section and an optional out-and-back for strong walkers.
• Monte Cerreto — A grassy ridge summit offering the first clear double view of the Tyrrhenian Sea on one side and the Bay of Naples on the other.
• Monte Faito (~1,131 m) — The wooded mountain above Castellammare di Stabia, reached by the historic Funivia del Faito cable car and a popular finish or escape point for Stage 07.
• Valico di Chiunzi — The historic pass linking the Amalfi Coast at Maiori with the Agro Nocerino, a logical eastern gateway to the segment.
• Tramonti vineyards — The terraced slopes below the ridge produce the Costa d'Amalfi DOC wines, framing the southern views down toward Ravello and Scala.
• Capri and the Galli Islands — On clear days the island of Capri and the tiny Li Galli archipelago float on the horizon off the peninsula's tip.
• Mount Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples — The defining northern view, with the volcano and the curve of the bay laid out beneath the ridge for most of the walk.

Best Time to Hike the Alta Via dei Monti Lattari - 07

The Monti Lattari have a Mediterranean climate, which means the hiking calendar is shaped less by snow than by heat and water. May is the single best month to walk Stage 07: daytime temperatures on the ridge typically sit between 15 and 22 °C, the spring rains have passed, wildflowers carpet the high meadows, and the long daylight gives a comfortable margin for the 7-to-9-hour day. April and early June are nearly as good, with April still carrying the risk of a wet, cloud-locked ridge and June starting to warm sharply on the exposed sections.

Mid-summer is the period to avoid. From July into early September the limestone radiates heat, shade is scarce on the open crest, and afternoon highs at coast level routinely exceed 32 °C; the long sun-baked sections of this trail become genuinely hazardous without an early start and several litres of water. Autumn brings a strong second window — late September and October offer stable air, clearer long-distance visibility toward Capri and Vesuvius, and the chestnut woods of Monte Faito turning colour. As of 2026, the regional park continues to advise against the high ridge during and immediately after winter storms, when fog, wind and ice on the Tre Pizzi crest raise the risk on the exposed EE passages considerably. Whatever the month, check the local forecast the morning you set out, because conditions on the 1,374-m crest differ sharply from the beaches below.

Practical Information

Accommodation

There are no staffed alpine huts directly on Stage 07, so most walkers base themselves in a valley town and treat the segment as a long day. Family-run bed & breakfasts and agriturismi are the norm across the Lattari, typically costing €60–€110 per double room per night in spring, rising sharply in the July–August coastal high season. Good bases include Tramonti and Agerola on the southern side and Castellammare di Stabia or Vico Equense on the northern side, all within easy reach of the trail's access points. Agerola in particular markets itself as a walking hub and has several budget guesthouses and a campsite charging around €10–€15 per pitch. Wild camping is not permitted inside the Parco Regionale dei Monti Lattari, so plan to sleep in a town rather than on the ridge. Booking ahead is essential for any weekend between Easter and October.

Getting There & Back

The natural gateway is Naples, whose airport (NAP, Capodichino) sits about 35 km north of the range. From Naples the Circumvesuviana and EAV regional rail lines run to Castellammare di Stabia and Sorrento in roughly 45–70 minutes, and from June to autumn the restored Funivia del Faito cable car climbs from Castellammare di Stabia to Monte Faito in about 8 minutes, giving direct access to the western end of Stage 07. For the eastern end, take a train to Salerno or Vietri sul Mare, then a SITA Sud bus toward Maiori and the Valico di Chiunzi. Because the route is point-to-point, the simplest logistics are to start at Chiunzi and finish at Monte Faito, descending by cable car or bus into Castellammare for the train back to Naples. Confirm current cable-car and bus timetables before travelling, as services thin out in winter.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to walk the Alta Via dei Monti Lattari - 07, and there is no entry fee for the Parco Regionale dei Monti Lattari itself. The trail is free, public and waymarked by CAI. Your only fixed costs are transport — regional trains from Naples cost a few euros each way, SITA buses similar, and the Funivia del Faito cable car is a paid ticket (around €10 return as of recent seasons). If you plan to walk several segments over multiple days, CAI membership is worth considering for the discounted rates it gives at affiliated refuges elsewhere in Italy, though it is not needed for this stage. Full route notes and the official 300 CAI description are published by the trail authority at altaviadeimontilattari.it, and broader safety and grading guidance comes from the Club Alpino Italiano.

Gear & Packing List

Stage 07 is a hot, dry, exposed mountain day with around 1,200 m of climbing, so pack for sun, rock and a long time on your feet rather than for alpine cold. A comfortable 30–45 litre pack is plenty for a single day and leaves room for the 2.5–3 litres of water this waterless ridge demands. A lightweight, well-ventilated load carrier such as the Abisko Hike 35 or, for those who like a fast-and-light running-vest style, the ADV Skin 12 both suit this terrain; if you want a durable all-day option with good back ventilation, the Atmos AG 50 handles the extra water and layers comfortably. Add sturdy trail shoes or light boots with good grip for the limestone, sun protection, a windproof layer for the crest, trekking poles for the steep descents, and a paper CAI map plus a GPX track. Because the day burns serious energy, plan your food carefully — our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day helps you pack enough fuel without overloading. If you are weighing up a lighter setup overall, our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 compares seven packs tested on exactly this kind of terrain.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the ridge-walking and big sea-and-mountain panoramas of Stage 07 appeal, Italy's Dolomites offer the same high-route format on a far larger alpine scale. The famous Alte Vie thread the limestone towers of the north with staffed refuges every few hours, making them a natural next objective once you have a taste for Italian high routes. For ridge fans who prefer a wilder, less coastal experience, the cross-border traverse in our Theth to Valbona guide is well worth a look too. Consider these related Italian long-distance trails:

• 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

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Alta Via dei Monti Lattari - 07?
May is the standout month, with ridge temperatures of roughly 15–22 °C, dry trails and flowering meadows. April and early June work well too, while late September and October give clear long-distance views and cooler air. Avoid July and August, when the exposed limestone crest becomes dangerously hot and shadeless.

How difficult is Stage 07 and who is it suitable for?
It is a strenuous day, rated CAI grade E with EE sections near the Tre Pizzi crest. With around 1,200 m of ascent, a few mildly exposed passages and 7–9 hours of walking, it suits fit, experienced hikers comfortable reading maps and GPS. It is not recommended for beginners or in poor visibility, when the high ridge becomes hazardous.

How long is the trail and how much do you walk per day?
Segment 07 covers about 20 km and is normally completed in a single long day of 7 to 9 hours including breaks. That works out to roughly 2.5 to 3 km per hour given the steep climbs and rocky ground. Strong walkers can split it across two half-days by descending mid-route to Agerola, but most treat it as one continuous stage.

Where can you stay along the route?
There are no huts on the ridge itself, so walkers base in valley towns such as Tramonti, Agerola, Vico Equense or Castellammare di Stabia. Family-run B&Bs and agriturismi typically cost €60–€110 per double in spring, and Agerola has a campsite around €10–€15 per pitch. Wild camping is banned inside the regional park, so book a room in advance.

Do you need a permit or pay any fees?
No permit is required and there is no charge to walk Stage 07 or to enter the Parco Regionale dei Monti Lattari. The CAI-marked trail is free and public. Your only costs are transport: regional trains from Naples, SITA buses to the Chiunzi pass, and the Funivia del Faito cable car, which runs roughly €10 return when in operation.