B&B Sunflower - Sorrento

Each visitor should complete the holiday on Amalfi Coast with an excursion on the famous pathway called ‘Sentiero degli Dei’, so called because of its fantastic position half way between the sky and the sea. It rises on average at around 500 metres above the sea level and the view is particularly stunning from Praiano and Positano.

People can start from Agerola, from a hamlet called Bomerano (635 meters above sea level) or from Praiano towards Nocelle in Positano (440 meters above sea level). Leaving from Bomerano, visitors can walk almost completely through a descending path, while leaving from Praiano means to go first up to Serra hill (570 meters above sea level). Everywhere the landscape is wonderful and the sea can be seen from very high spots (not recommended to vertigo sufferers). The panorama of Capri and of Sorrento Peninsula is actually spectacular and even the Cilento Coast can be admired.

The vegetation of the first part of the path is made of grass and a few trees: sheep and goats graze there. In the second half of the pathway, there are more trees with ilexes and arbutus berries. After the so-called Vallone Grarelle there is Nocelle (440 meters above sea level): it is not very known, but is a really picturesque hamlet of the Positano area. In the past it was completely isolated and it could be reached only through a very steep staircase. Now, the excursionist can choose to go down the 1,500 steps and reach the main road to bath in the wonderful sea of Positano or he/she can go up to Pertuso Mount (352 meters above sea level). The name comes from the 'hole'in the rocky wall on the top (“pertuso” in the local dialect means “foro”, therefore 'hole' in English) caused by the erosive phenomenon that creates strange and fascinating sculptures. The path is slightly difficult. It is around 8 km long. It takes almost 2,30/3 hours to complete.

Amalfi is famous all over the world for its glorious past and for the sea. Only a few people, however, have visited its charming jewel: the natural reserve called “Valle delle Ferriere”. Botanists know this reserve thanks to the presence of a plant which is very rare in Europe, the Woodwardia radicans (http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodwardia_radicans) from Tertiary Age and which represents a rare example of pre-glacial flora. The Ferriere Valley Nature Reserve, instituted in 1972, in the Scala local council territory behind Ravello, constitutes the only protected area on the whole Amalfi Coast.

The preserve Valle delle Ferriere is also the habitat of different kinds of orchids and of a small carnivore plant, called “Pinguicola hirtiflora”(http://www.meditflora.com/flora/pinguicola.htm ), a plant that lives eating small insects. Small animals, among them the so-called “salamander with glasses” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salamandrina_terdigitata), inhabit this valley, too. The valley is easily reachable through a wonderful path along the stream called Rio Cannet and goes through beautiful woods, springs, and small cascades ofthe river Rio Canneto. The river was once used to supply the ancient paper mills for the production of the famous paper of Amalfi, still used today. Their remains are still visible and can be visited, of course.

In the middle of this path there the ancient ironworks factory that gives its name to the valley and which provided iron to the ancient Republic of Amalfi. Since the path is easy, there is no need to use special tools or equipments: it is important to wear long trousers and comfortable shoes, fit for mountain walking. The most important thing to remember is to bring a camera to take beautiful photos. Forgetting it would be a great mistake!

This is an example of itinerary which unites sacred and profane: the breathtaking panoramas over the Gulf of Salerno and over Amalfi Coast, and the search for the divine favoured by the long walks up to the Sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady, the Protectress. Then, the wide areas over the sea and the stunning views naturally lead the visitor to contemplate the Infinity.

The Madonna Avvocata Sanctuary, situated on the Falerzio Mountain on a rocky wall, can be reached using a mule track that leaves from the Abbey in Cava de' Tirreni (this is a longer, but less difficult way) or from Maiori using a long staircase from Maiori. Each Monday after Pentecost, pilgrims from Cava de' Tirreni and Maiori walk to the Sanctuary to celebrate the cult of Our Lady the Protectress.

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The story of the Apparition

This walking path is considered a classic, as it was the route used by the local people before the paved road was built in 1930. On the way from Ravello to Amalfi through Atrani, you pass the ruins of a small village with its textile and olive oil mills in the valley, called Valle dl Dragone, once the industrial area of Atrani. And before entering the town of Atrani itself, you can see the town’s old cemetery, used until the end of XIX century, and the adjacent Chiesa del Carmine.

Starting from Piazza Duomo take Via Trinità to the right of Villa Rufolo and follow the directions for Villa Cimbrone. After about 10 minutes walking take the stairway to the right down Via Santa Barbara. Looking across the valley you can enjoy the view from Valle del Dragone to Pontone and Torre dello Zirro. About ten minutes walk on Via Santa Barbara turn right and, follow the indications to Amalfi until you reach a paved road near a limoncello distillery. Cross the road here and follow the signs towards Atrani and walk on the steps through Castiglione.

The first part of this itinerary is similar to the Ravello – Atrani – Amalfi, but in this case you have to follow the directions for the main square of Pontone. This itinerary offers the choice of two very interesting escursions. One leads to the Torre dello Zirro, which is one of the oldest watch towers on the Amalfi Coast, strategically situated above the town of Amalfi, now a natural preserve where a rare species of fern, known as the woodwardia radicans, can be found. To reach Torre dello Zirro, once at the small square of Pontone take the path on the left of the paved road and follow the indications for the tower. Alternatively in order to visit the Valle delle Ferriere you take the pathway on the right which leads to the end of the Valley (approx. 2 km). This trail leads to the river in the proximity of an antique iron works, which gave its name to the valley “Le Ferriere”. From here you can walk towards Amalfi passing by the old paper mills where the famous hand-made paper was produced.

This itinerary begins from Piazza Duomo, heading towards Villa Rufolo. On the left of the entrance gates you will find Via Annunziata. On your right you will see the church of the Annunziata, and once past the church you come to a paved road. Crossing this you will find the second flight of steps which leads to the area of Torrello. On the way down towards the square in Torello there is a choice of two routes to Minori. You can take the wide steps of Via Santa Croce to the left, which pass under a pergola of vines and lemon trees and lead past the ruins of the church of Santa Croce and the cluster of buildings of Villamena with its 10th century church of San Gennaro. Alternatively, going straight, the path leads to the square in Torello where there is the 10th century church of San Michele Arcangelo. Following on down the steps, towards Minori and keeping right at the crossroads with the chapel, you will leave behind you a characteristic view of Ravello.

From piazza Arienzo go up by 1834 steps at Nocelle (420 metres) and from here to Montepertuso, by Fontana Vecchia to Valle Pozzo, in order to reach St. Maria del Castello (685 metres). Time taken 3 hours.

• From via Liparlati go up through via Grado to Montepertuso. Time taken 1 hour.
• From Montepertuso cross-roads go up towards Capo d'Acqua and Croce, joining Lattari street, and trekking high over the Sorrentino-Amalfitana Peninsula. Time taken 2 hours.

• Pogerola Mount, of municipal property, result of a reforestation with black pines made during years 1955-60. It extends for 1,50 hectars and is composed of conifers and broadleaves, access from municipal street to the Castle.
• Cappuccini wood in piazza Tabor. It extends for 2 ectars and is composed of broadleaves and ilex, access from Cappuccini Hotel.