Alta Via dei Monti Lattari - 10

The Alta Via dei Monti Lattari - 10 is a 2-km point-to-point trail in Campania, Italy, forming segment 10 of the 73-km CAI 300 high route across the Sorrento Peninsula. With roughly 150–250 m of elevation change and a moderate (E) rating, it is a short but scenic ridge link delivering sweeping views over the Tyrrhenian Sea toward Capri.

About the Alta Via dei Monti Lattari - 10

The Alta Via dei Monti Lattari is one of southern Italy's great walking corridors, threading the limestone spine of the Lattari Mountains between Salerno in the east and Sorrento in the west. Maintained by the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI) and waymarked as path 300 with the familiar red-and-white flashes, the full route splits into 11 numbered segments covering around 73 km. Segment 10 — the focus of this guide — is one of the shorter connecting links, measuring just 2 km, and sits in the western half of the chain where the ridge tips down toward the Sorrento Peninsula and the cliffs above the Amalfi Coast.

This particular section is looked after by the Sezione CAI di Castellammare di Stabia, the local Alpine Club branch responsible for trail clearance, signage and the periodic re-painting of the 300 waymarks. Because it is a registered Regional Walking Network (RWN) route, segment 10 carries official recognition within Campania's wider footpath system rather than being an informal track. Most walkers tackle it not as a standalone day out but as one piece of a multi-day traverse, linking the higher sections around Monte Sant'Angelo a Tre Pizzi and Monte Molare to the final coastal stages near Punta Campanella.

What makes the Monti Lattari distinct from Italy's alpine high routes is the contrast underfoot: one moment you are on bare karst limestone with sheer drops to a deep-blue sea, the next you are dropping through chestnut woods, terraced lemon groves and vineyards that have been farmed for centuries. Segment 10 packs a slice of that variety into a compact distance, making it a useful warm-up, a recovery-day stage, or a quick out-and-back for travellers based on the coast who want a taste of the Alta Via without committing to the whole six-day crossing.

Route Overview & Stages

Because segment 10 is itself only 2 km long, the table below sets it in context against the neighbouring stages of the CAI 300 traverse so you can see how it fits a multi-day plan. Distances and gains are approximate and reflect the western half of the route as mapped by the CAI.

The 2 km of segment 10 is best read as a hinge between the higher central ridge stages and the long final push toward the tip of the peninsula. Despite the modest distance, the karst surface and exposed sections mean it should not be rushed: allow 45–75 minutes including photo stops, and longer if you are carrying a full multi-day pack.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Monte Molare (1,444 m) — the highest peak in the Lattari range, dominating the skyline of the central segments and visible on clear approaches to stage 10.
• Monte Sant'Angelo a Tre Pizzi (1,443 m) — the iconic triple-summit massif above the Amalfi Coast, a defining backdrop for the western stages.
• Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods) — the celebrated cliff-edge path below the Alta Via, which the high route shadows from above between Bomerano and Nocelle.
• Punta Campanella — the dramatic cape at the western terminus of the peninsula, with the Marine Protected Area and views across to Capri.
• Terraced lemon groves of the Costiera — the centuries-old agricultural terraces that line the lower slopes, source of the region's IGP Sfusato Amalfitano lemons.
• Chestnut and holm-oak woodland — shaded sections that break up the open limestone, important habitat across the Monti Lattari.
• Tyrrhenian Sea panoramas — near-continuous views over the Gulf of Salerno and toward the islands of Capri and Li Galli from the ridge.
• Karst rock formations — the sculpted, fissured limestone underfoot, typical of the Lattari's geology and a constant feature of segment 10.

Best Time to Hike the Alta Via dei Monti Lattari - 10

The Monti Lattari follow a classic Mediterranean rhythm, and the two reliable windows are spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October). High summer is best avoided: July and August routinely push daytime temperatures past 30 °C on the exposed ridge, water is scarce, and the karst offers little shade. Winter brings the opposite problem — rain, cloud and occasional snow on the highest sections make the exposed limestone slippery and the sea views unreliable.

The single best month is May. As of 2026, spring brings settled, comfortable walking temperatures in the high teens to low twenties Celsius, long daylight, wildflowers across the terraces, and the clearest air for the long sightlines toward Capri before summer haze sets in. October is the strong runner-up, offering warm sea, thinner crowds and stable weather after the summer heat breaks, though daylight is shorter and the first autumn rains can arrive late in the month. Whichever shoulder season you choose, check the local CAI section for any trail-maintenance notices before setting out, as winter storms occasionally damage signage on the western stages.

Practical Information

Accommodation

The Alta Via dei Monti Lattari is not a hut-to-hut alpine route in the Dolomite sense; instead, walkers rely on the dense network of villages along and below the ridge. Family-run bed & breakfasts and agriturismo farmhouses are the backbone of the trail, typically costing €60–€110 per night for a double room with breakfast, with simpler rooms in inland villages at the lower end and coastal towns such as Positano or Sorrento pushing well above the range in peak season. Budget travellers will find hostels and guesthouses in Sorrento and Salerno from around €25–€40 per bed. Wild camping is officially restricted across Campania and effectively prohibited inside protected areas, so plan to overnight in settlements rather than on the ridge. Because segment 10 is short, most people sleep in a coastal base such as Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi or Termini and walk it as part of a linked day.

Getting There & Back

The gateway city is Naples, served by Naples International Airport (NAP), roughly a 60–90 minute drive from the western trailheads. From Naples, the Circumvesuviana train reaches Sorrento in about 70 minutes, and the regional rail line serves Salerno (the eastern start of the full route) in around 40–45 minutes. From Sorrento, SITA Sud buses connect to Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi, Termini and Massa Lubrense, the villages closest to the western stages including segment 10; bus journeys from Sorrento take 25–50 minutes depending on the destination. Coastal ferries from Naples and Salerno to Amalfi and Positano give an alternative, scenic approach to the eastern half of the route during the April–October season.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to walk the Alta Via dei Monti Lattari, and there is no entry fee for the trail itself — it is a free, publicly accessible CAI footpath. Some adjacent attractions do charge: the Punta Campanella Marine Protected Area regulates water-based activities, and a few private terraces or farm tracks may ask walkers to keep to the marked path. Carry the official CAI mapping or a GPX track, as a handful of junctions on the western stages are lightly signed. Travel insurance covering mountain walking is strongly recommended given the exposed sections.

Gear & Packing List

For a short, exposed limestone stage like segment 10, prioritise grip, sun protection and water. Trail shoes or light boots with a sticky sole handle the karst far better than worn-out trainers, and trekking poles help on the steeper steps. A 30–45 litre pack is ample for a day or a light multi-day attempt; the Fjällräven Abisko Hike 35 is a comfortable all-rounder for warm-weather trail use. If you are linking several Alta Via stages and carrying camp or hut kit, a larger ultralight pack such as the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Windrider or the roomier 3400 Windrider keeps the load manageable on the exposed ridge. For a deeper look at how the best lightweight packs compare, see our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026. Beyond the pack, carry at least 2 litres of water per person (refill points are sparse on the ridge), sun hat and high-SPF cream, a windproof layer, and high-energy snacks — read how many calories you need hiking a full day to dial in your food weight.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the Alta Via dei Monti Lattari leaves you hungry for more long-distance Italian ridge walking, the Dolomites offer the country's most famous high routes — longer, higher and more alpine in character than the Mediterranean Lattari, but sharing the same waymarked, multi-stage structure. Consider these related 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 - X tappa (Italy), 180 km
• Alta via n. 6 delle Dolomiti - XI tappa (Italy), 180 km
• Alta via n. 9 delle Dolomiti - Dolomiten-Höhenweg Nr. 9 (Italy), 140 km

For something further afield with a similar hut-and-village rhythm, our guide on how to hike the Theth to Valbona trail in Albania covers another rewarding cross-mountain crossing.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Alta Via dei Monti Lattari - 10?
May is the single best month, with comfortable temperatures in the high teens to low twenties Celsius, wildflowers and the clearest air for views toward Capri. The wider windows of April–June and September–October are also excellent. Avoid July and August, when the exposed limestone ridge exceeds 30 °C and water is scarce.

How difficult is segment 10?
Segment 10 carries a moderate CAI rating of E, meaning it requires sure footing and basic hiking experience but no technical climbing. The 2 km includes exposed limestone with steep drops, so a head for heights helps. It is far easier than the long 21 km final stage, but the karst surface still demands care, good footwear and dry conditions.

How far will I walk each day on the full route?
The complete Alta Via dei Monti Lattari covers about 73 km across 11 segments, usually completed in around six days, averaging roughly 12 km per day. Daily distances vary widely — short links like segment 10's 2 km contrast with the 21 km Castellone-to-Torca stage — so plan stages around the long days rather than the short ones.

Where can I stay along the trail?
The route relies on villages rather than mountain huts. Family-run bed & breakfasts and agriturismo farmhouses cost roughly €60–€110 per night with breakfast, while hostels in Sorrento and Salerno run €25–€40 per bed. Wild camping is restricted across Campania, so book accommodation in settlements such as Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi, Termini or Sorrento in advance during peak season.

Do I need a permit or pay a fee?
No. The Alta Via dei Monti Lattari is a free, publicly accessible CAI footpath requiring no permit or entry fee. Some adjacent attractions, such as the Punta Campanella Marine Protected Area, regulate certain activities, and you should keep to marked paths across private terraces. Carry official CAI mapping or a GPX track, as some western junctions are only lightly signed.

Authoritative sources: Alta Via dei Monti Lattari official trail authority and the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI).