Hiking Up Mt. Vesuvius

I just hiked up Mt. Vesuvius last Sunday. In general, you do not hike up the entire mountain, which is possible, but most people take a bus or private driver up to the parking lot about 500 feet below the rim of the crater. Most of the land on the slope of Vesuvius is a nature preserve, so you would have to take a very winding, dangerous road to get to the pedestrian only portion of the climb. I saw some Italian boy scouts hiking the entire mountain on Sunday, but you’re sharing a narrow road with buses and cars—no shoulder or sidewalk. The best thing to do would be to take the Municipal Bus from either Pompeii or Herculaneum. It’s 9 Euros, but make sure it is running the day you attempt to take it. On Sunday, the buses stopped running at noon and I ended up taking a minivan with four other Italian tourists on the ride from Hell. The private drivers sit like vultures around the bus stop, and cajole you to take their ride. DO NOT under any circumstances take one of these private drivers. I was very uncomfortable with the way he drove (suicidally, even for Neapolitans) and we were almost in a serious crash. Plus, they only give you an hour (they need more fresh prey) so you have to literally run up Vesuvius to get to the top in time to get back. Don’t rule out Solfatara, an incredibly interesting sulfur jet field in the crater of a dormant volcano at the Pozzuoli Metro stop. Let me know if you have any questions.

Thank You Chris!!

I'm planning on touring Pompeii and hiking Mt. Vesuvius for a day trip. It will be on a Monday. Do you think it would be better to hike Vesuvius first then go to Pompeii or the other way around? I read that there are more frequent buses from Pompeii than Ercolano (SP?). I'll be going to and from Rome for this.

Hi Kelly,

I would personally recommend going to Pompeii first and then end with hiking Mt. Vesuvius. That's what I did last may and it worked out nice. Plus you will get pretty dirty from the dust/loose rock on Mt. Vesuvius so afterwards all I wanted to do was get back to the hotel and shower.

Also, the bus stop is right near Pompeii and it will take you to Mt. Vesuvius and up most of the way to the entrance where most people start the hike. I would also recommend taking one of the hiking sticks...they are helpful on the way down as it get's slippery with the loose rock.

Have a great time!

Thank You Marla!!

That was going to be my plan as it seems easier for connections. I assume I can go back to Rome from Vesuvius (Herculaneum)??