Ascent of Vesuvius

For the ascent of Vesuvius, leave the Naples-Salerno motorway at the Ercolano exit and take the Strada del Vesuvio, which winds its way uphill between lava flows. In 7km/4.5mi it comes to the Albergo Eremo, where a short side road goes off to the Observatory, founded in 1845, with a museum.

In another 3km/2mi the road forks. To the left is a road running up the north side of Vesuvius to the Colle Margherita (3km/2mi), from which it is a 20 min climb on foot to the rim of the crater. The road continues straight ahead and in 1.5km/1mi comes to the lower station of a chair-lift (753m/2,485ft) which goes up to the upper station (1,158m/3,821ft); at present the chair-lift is not in operation. At the top there is a fascinating one-hour walk around the crater and magnificent views.

Another road (toll payable) runs from Torre Annunziata, a village to the southwest of the volcano. The route first leads northeast for 2km/1.25mi to Boscotrecase, then 10km/6mi northwest, past the Nuova Casa Bianca restaurant and up the southeast slopes of Vesuvius with numerous bends. Some time ago the area around the crater was designated a protected area.