Climbing to the Crater of Vesuvius

The parking lot where the Vesuvio's Express bus arrives is located at an altitude of about 1000 meters above sea level.

The crater is still one and a half kilometers away, they need to be overcome on foot, while climbing two hundred meters up. You are only allowed on the trail with tickets, we have presented Vesuvio Express tickets. Those who have been traveling on their own transport can buy tickets on the spot for 10 euros.

Memorial sign on the occasion of the opening of the landscaped trail, installed on March 16, 1986.

The trail goes along a steep slope in a serpentine, not very steep, at first the surface of the trail is hard, but closer to the crater it is covered with fine volcanic slag.

The slopes are covered with eruption products - light porous pebbles and ash.

Volcanic rocks are mostly black, sometimes gray and red.

Looking down, I found that the parking lot was far below.

On the bends of the serpentine there are recreation areas.

Along the way, you can enjoy stunning views of the Bay of Naples with its densely populated coastline.

The steep slopes along the trail are protected from scree and landslides.

The mountain range on the right is part of the ring surrounding the crater of the giant protovolcano that later formed Mount Vesuvius.

By the middle of the climb, I was very sorry that I was too lazy to take trekking poles with me on the trip - this would have significantly reduced the ascent time and, accordingly, would have increased the time spent at the top - there was not too much time before the return bus left.

Some hikers come with wooden sticks, which can be picked up at the entrance to the trail.

The trail offers magnificent panoramas, no worse than from the top.

The road we took from Ercolano.

Looking ahead, I will say that I made the way back about twice as fast, my feet carry themselves down, especially since there is very little time left before the bus.