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Mount Vesuvius hiking trails: Gran Cono & 10 other routes

Vesuvius National Park has 11 official hiking trails.

Trail network summary:

  • Total official trails: 11
  • Trail range: short, accessible walks to demanding full-day hikes
  • Main landscapes: pine forest, volcanic terrain, Monte Somma, and other areas of the National Park
  • Paid crater route: Trail No. 5, Il Gran Cono
  • Crater access: Trail No. 5 reaches the accessible section of Mount Vesuvius’ crater rim
  • Other trails: Explore different areas of the wider Vesuvius National Park

Gran Cono: The Mount Vesuvius crater hike

mount vesuvius aerial panoramic view
  • Trail: No. 5 – Il Gran Cono
  • Distance: Around 4 km round trip
  • Starts from: Quota 1000, Ercolano
  • Highest public section: Around 1,175m
  • Difficulty: Low, but steep and exposed
  • Access: Paid; timed ticket required
  • Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible

The trail starts around 1,000m above sea level and climbs over loose ash, lapilli, gravel, and volcanic rock to the accessible crater rim. No technical climbing is involved, but expect a sustained uphill walk with limited shade.

More on the Vesuvius crater and trail

Compare Mount Vesuvius hiking trails

TrailDistanceTime takenDifficultyAccess typeKey featureBest for

1. Valle dell’Inferno

12.39 km

~7 hrs

High

Free

Long, demanding route

Experienced hikers wanting a full-day route through the wilder northern side of Vesuvius

2. Lungo i Cognoli

8.13 km

~8 hrs

High

Free

Steep volcanic ridge sections; access restrictions may affect parts of the route

Serious hikers looking for ridges, volcanic terrain, and fewer visitors

3. Monte Somma

7.65 km

~5 hrs

High

Free

First ~800m has adapted features; full trail becomes steep and demanding

Long-distance hikers interested in Monte Somma and Vesuvius’ older volcanic landscape

4. Riserva Tirone

11.26 km

~6 hrs

Medium

Free

Long route with gradual slopes

Forest and nature walks without the steepest volcanic climbing

5. Il Gran Cono

4.01 km

~2-3 hrs

Low

Paid

Steep, exposed volcanic surface

Crater views — choose this if reaching Vesuvius’ crater rim is your priority

6. Strada Matrone

14.18 km

~7 hrs

Medium

Free

Long cycle-pedestrian route

A full-day hike or cycling route with a longer approach through the Park

7. Vallone della Profica

4.38 km

~3 hrs

Medium

Free

Includes steps, uneven sections, and some climbing

A shorter but varied hike through agricultural land, woodland, and volcanic terrain

8. Trenino a Cremagliera

2.91 km

~2 hrs

Medium

Free

Historical uphill route; check current access before travelling

History and shorter walks, following traces of the former Vesuvius railway

9. Fiume di Lava

1.04 km

~1 hr

Low

Free

Short route but includes uneven volcanic surfaces and steps

A quick volcanic walk focused on the 1944 lava flow

10. L’Olivella

3.73 km

~2.5 hrs

Low

Free

Includes stairs near the springs; check current access before travelling

A quieter, lower-difficulty walk away from the main crater crowds

11. Pineta di Terzigno

1.5 km

~30 mins

Low

Free

Flat route with accessibility-oriented features

Reduced mobility and gentle walks — the easiest route in the Park

Only Trail No. 5 takes visitors to Mount Vesuvius’ accessible crater rim

Some other trails may offer views of the volcano, Monte Somma, or surrounding landscapes, but they do not provide the same close-up crater experience. If seeing inside Vesuvius is your priority, Gran Cono is the route to choose—and it requires a timed entry ticket.

Is hiking Mount Vesuvius right for you?

The Gran Cono is not a technical climb, but “low difficulty” does not mean effortless. It involves sustained uphill walking, loose volcanic ground, limited shade, and exposure to changing mountain conditions.

Hiking with children

Children who are comfortable with uphill walking may manage Gran Cono, but factor in the loose terrain, heat, wind, and lack of shade. For a much gentler Park walk, Pineta di Terzigno is flatter and takes around 30 minutes.

Older vistors

Age alone is not a useful test. If you're comfortable walking uphill for an extended period on uneven ground, Gran Cono may be manageable. If not, choose one of the shorter and flatter routes rather than judging by the Park’s “low” rating alone.

During pregnancy

Gran Cono involves a steady incline, loose ground, exposure to heat or wind, and limited facilities once you're on the trail. Consider your current balance, stamina, and comfort with exertion when deciding whether the hike suits you, and seek medical guidance if you have concerns.

Visitors with reduced mobility

Gran Cono is not wheelchair accessible.

For a gentler Park experience, Trail 11, Pineta di Terzigno, is predominantly flat and was designed with visitors with mobility and visual impairments in mind.

Prefer to experience Vesuvius without the crater climb?

Walk Pineta di Terzigno

Choose Trail 11 for the gentlest walk in the Park. The approximately 1.5 km route is mostly flat and runs through pine woodland, with accessibility-oriented features along the way.

Hiking time: Around 30 minutes
Access: Free
Best for: Reduced mobility, visual impairments, families, and visitors wanting a gentle nature walk

Taste wine grown on volcanic soil

Experience a completely different side of Vesuvius at a vineyard on its slopes. Walk among vines rooted in volcanic soil, taste local wines including Lacryma Christi, and enjoy a Mediterranean lunch.

Gran Cono climb: Not included
Best for: A relaxed, food-and-wine-focused Vesuvius experience

​Explore the Vesuvius wine tasting experience →

Read more about Vesuvian wines

Visit the Vesuvius Observatory

The Real Museo dell’Osservatorio Vesuviano in Ercolano explores centuries of research into Vesuvius through historic scientific instruments, geological material, and exhibits on volcanology and volcanic risk.

Gran Cono climb: Not required
Best for: Science, geology, and understanding how Vesuvius is monitored

Before choosing a Vesuvius hiking trail

Check whether your trail is open

The Park’s trail network is undergoing maintenance and redevelopment. Routes, connections, and wayfinding can change, so check the latest Park information before travelling.

Don’t assume every trail begins near Gran Cono

The 11 routes start from different municipalities and sides of the National Park. Finishing the Gran Cono does not mean you can simply continue onto Trail 9, Trail 11, or another route.

Match the duration to your ability

Trail difficulty alone can be misleading. Strada Matrone is rated medium but runs for around seven hours, while Fiume di Lava is low difficulty and takes about an hour.

Wear proper walking shoes

Loose volcanic sand, rock, steps, and unpaved surfaces appear across the trail network. The Park repeatedly recommends appropriate footwear and checking weather conditions before starting.

Carry enough water

Longer trails may take several hours and services are not guaranteed along the route. Carry what you need rather than assuming you'll find facilities once you've started walking.

Frequently asked questions about hiking Mount Vesuvius

Trail No. 5, Il Gran Cono, is the official ticketed route to the accessible Mount Vesuvius crater rim. The other 10 Park trails explore different volcanic landscapes but do not replace a Gran Cono crater ticket.