Valle delle Ferriere - Amalfi

All Accommodations

A path surrounded by green, which, from the historical heart of Amalfi climbs among the lush hills of the Amalfi Coast, to discover ancient abandoned mills and unspoiled natural oasis.

Travelling time: 2 hours and half
Difficulty: Easy
Why we love it: for the lush nature, reminiscent of a jungle. For the remains mysterious and fascinating. For the lemon fragrance, and the sound of water that accompanies the walk.
Length: 5 km
Total Elevation Gain: 100 m
Way to travel: on foot, nordic walking.
Cost: free
Our Advice: to access the natural reserves you need to contact in advance the forest rangers UTB Caserta (tel. +39.0823.354693 utb.caserta@corpoforestale.it).

Map of the Valle delle Ferriere itinerary, from Amalfi to the Natural Reserve.

The square of the Cathedral of Amalfi, from here the route on foot to explore the Valle delle Ferriere. — The square of the Cathedral of Amalfi, from here the route on foot to explore the Valle delle Ferriere, ph. by Emanuele Benigni

Trekking discovering the Valle delle Ferriere

Let's start our itinerary from the charming Piazza Duomo, after admiring the facade of one of the most beautiful churches of the Amalfi Coast and had drunk a drop of fresh water to the Fontana del Popolo (literally people's fountain), with its beautiful 17th century sculptures.

The "fontana del popolo" fountain, in the square in front of the Cathedral of Amalfi. Ph. by Harvey Barrison via flickr.

Let's carry on along Via Capuano, the road that runs through the historical center of Amalfi, crossing coffees and outdoor tables, ice cream parlors, shops selling scented lemons and colored chili.

Red chili in a market stall in the old town of Amalfi. — Red chili in a market stall in the old town of Amalfi, ph. by Emanuele Benigni.

Let's cross the Supportico Ruga Nova, a charming porch that once served also to stop the frequent invasions of the Arabs. Right after, surrounded by lush Mediterranean vegetation, let's take the Via nuova street, a steep and long staircase that connects to the picturesque village of Pogerola.

We can stop for a visit to the ancient Cavaliere Paper Mill, which still produces the original paper of Amalfi using the methods of the eighteenth century, and the Museum of Handmadepaper of Amalfi, where you can find out all about this precious material.

The Handmade paper Museum in Amalfi, ph. by Emanuele Benigni

In this fascinating museum, a descendant of one of the oldest families of papermaking masters of the Amalfi Coast, we can discover ancients machines and workmanship of the paper.

Museum of Handmade paper in Amalfi — Handmade paper Museum in Amalfi, ph. by Brett Woodvine, via flickr

Let's go straight, after passing the majestic Chimney masonry, we find the Rural Civilization Art and Craft Museum of Amalfi (info: cata@starnet.it, +39 089 873211), where you can admire old farming tools and utensils artisans of the Amalfi Coast.

From the museum let's take the Via delle Grade Lunghe street, and soon after, always on the left, the steep via Madonna del Rosario street, where we can admire a beautiful glimpse on lemon terraces that slope down to the valley and the sea.

Via del Paradiso, Valle delle Ferriere itinerary, Amalfi Coast — Via del Paradiso, Valle delle Ferriere, ph. by Emanuele Benigni, via flickr

Let's go straight to the north, towards the hills, following Via Paradiso street, past the ruins of the big ancient Paper Mill Lucibello, yet we go forward until the road disappears to make room for a tiny mountain trail.

The ruins of an old paper mill, reconquered from the trees and nature, Valle delle Ferriere Itinerary, Amalfi Coast. — The ruins of an old paper mill, reconquered from the trees and nature.

The path allows you to walk surrounded by the sounds of nature, in a deep and lusch green.

The ruins of the ancient Cartiera Nolli (Nolli paper mill) have been completely reconquered by nature. Trees, ivy and vegetations have enveloped the ancient walls. Between XXVIII and XIX century this valley was an important industrial node. Today the ruins of paper mills resemble majestic artwork reconquered by vegetation.

Valle delle Ferriere itinerary, Amalfi Coast. — Valle delle Ferriere itinerary, ph. by Emanuele Benigni, via flickr

Let's go along the old trail that runs along the river, always crossed only on foot and with the help of donkeys, up to the old ironworks ("Ferriera" in italian) from which the name to the entire district "Valle delle Ferriere".

Valle delle Ferriere itinerary, Amalfi Coast, Salerno, Italy — Valle delle Ferriere itinerary, ph. by Emanuele Benigni.

This huge factory, which once gave work to the whole population,

This huge factory, which once gave work to the whole population, today is a monument recaptured by a wild and lush nature.

Nature inside the Valle delle Ferriere, Amalfi Coast, Salerno — Unspoiled nature inside the Valle delle Ferriere, ph. by Emanuele Benigni

This area has become so exclusive habitat for cyclamen, wild orchids, Pteris vittata, Pinguicola hirtiflora, a small carnivorous plant, Erica terminalis, and a rare species of giant ferns dating back to the Tertiary period, the Woodwaria Radicans or Fern Bulbifera Gigante.

For this valley, already studied the mid-800 by the German naturalist Karl Haekel, is now a nature reserve that difendede this eco-system particularly rare.