Mount Vesuvius looms over southern Italy. Its 4,100-foot silhouette is visible to almost everyone on the Neapolitan coast. At night, the lights from the houses and cars in the middle of the mountain slopes sparkle. No one can look at this huge volcano without looking at its infamous eruptions, especially the eruption of 79 AD, which buried the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Climbing Mount Vesuvius is more wonderful than looking at the peaks from below. Hiking to the summit makes a great daytrip from Naples, Surrento or the southern Sabino region. It will be a wonderful and enjoyable climbing adventure if you know what to expect and what to expect.
Ancient and Miranda
For most of us, the overthrow of Pompeii and Herculaneum in 79 AD is the only historical event we can associate with Mount Vesuvius. The ancient Romans did not believe that Mount Vesuvius was a sharp volcano. They did not notice that the earthquakes which occurred in August of the year 79 were signs of an imminent eruption. The two eruptions, which began on the 24th of August, completely overwhelmed the citizens of Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Naples.
Ammianus Marcellinus, the famous historian and naturalist, died in the eruption. Fortunately, his grandson Pliny the Younger was able to write down his observations before he died. Pliny the Junior, too, in a burst of letters to Tacitus, wrote of his experience of Roman affairs. Gas, smoke, ash, and debris and rocks that fell from the sky, he described such an incredible train. The pyroclastic flow from the eruption of Pompeii and Herculaneum completely buried it.
Mount Vesuvius has erupted several times since 79 A. D. 1631, the most destructive eruption; over 4,000 people died. Today, Italy’s disaster preparedness experts in evacuation and response are basing their plans on this future eruption event.
The volcano last erupted in 1944, during the Allied battles for control of Italy in World War II. Today, several volcanic observatory stations monitor the seismic activity of Mount Vesuvius and around the Neapolitan clock.
Preparing for your ascension
Climbing the volcano is the best way to understand its significance and power. Fortunately, it is easy to get to the base of the mountain. Hiking to the top is more difficult, but most healthy people will have little trouble getting to the top of Mount Vesuvius.
Packing well will increase your appreciation for the crater of Mount Vesuvius. Comfortable shoes are a top priority. The hike up the volcano mountain has a grade of 18 percent and the trail is dusty, gravelly. The round trip will take two to three hours.
The weather at the top of the volcano can be cold and windy; It is always a good idea to bring a light jacket with you. If you arrive on a windy or rainy day, wait for the tracks to close. It is not safe to be on the rim of the crater when strong winds are blowing.
Sunscreen is a must at any time of the year. In the spring insect repellent as well. Examining mosquitoes and flies will make you miserable if you don’t think ahead. Although you can buy bottled water at the parking lot, you will save money if you bring your own. Many people also pack picnic lunches to eat before or after the walk.
How do I get there
You can reach the base of the mountain by car or bus. Buses leave the area in front of the Scavi Ercolani station on the Circumvesuviana train line. Buses leave the volcano about once an hour until about 2 p.m. Return buses leave the volcano parking area on a similar schedule starting around 11 a.m., the last bus leaves around 5:50 p.m.
If you drive, simply take the A3 Autostrada south from Naples to the Ercolano or Torre del Greco exits. Turn left on the hill and drive down the road. You will see signs for Vesuvio or Parco Nazionale del Vesuvio; most signs will be brown or yellow. Signs at the bottom of the mountain. About seven kilometers past the national park information point, you will come to a turn; take a left and go up the hill into the parking lot.
The winding road up the mountain is narrow by American standards. Great prices zip up and down this road; we need to be careful of them. There are places on the road that are narrow enough that you cannot pass when the bus is coming. Simply pull over to the side of the road and pass down.
Advent and Resurrection
When you get to the parking area, you have to pay the attendant to park your car. This will also be true if there is a dirt lot along the road leading to the park; A parking attendant will drop you off at your car or pick you up walking into the parking area.
You will see a bar and several souvenir stands in the parking lot. The only restrooms available on the trail are well-maintained portable toilets next to one of these souvenir stands; you will be asked to use them for about fifty hundred euros. There are no restroom facilities at the top of the mountain.
There are two more monuments standing on the mountain and one in the middle. They sell everything like this; prices are a little higher at the top of the mountain than at the bottom. You can also buy wine made from grapes on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius. It is reasonably priced and quite good. Buy later; Now, it’s time to climb!
Ascend
As you begin your walk, you will walk through steep switchbacks. You don’t need a tour to take this part of the hike. You will quickly climb the sides of the volcano and leave most of the vegetable behind. The views are amazing. On a clear day you will be able to see the Bay of Naples and the city below.
At about the top of the road, you will reach the ticket booth, conveniently located next to the souvenir stand. To hike up to the crater, you must buy a ticket. The signs at the ticket booth say that the hike is directed to the crater. This writer never accompanied a guide and made three trips to the top of Mount Vesuvius. There are several official guides in the ticket booth, and they will give you advice and information about the crater if you ask.
Sit and breathe for a while while I wait to buy your ticket. The bowl is too far away!
When you finally reach the rim of the crater, you will be amazed at its size. If you’re lucky enough to climb Mount Vesuvius on a clear day, you’ll walk around the rim of the crater and look down on the Surrento Peninsula and Pompeii. Take your time carefully into the bowl itself. You can be rewarded by the sight of steam from the side of the crater.
You will be able to walk about a quarter of the way to the grid. Look at the city of Naples and remember the power of this volcano. Mount Vesuvius used to be a little higher than it is today, but explosive eruptions blew away several hundred feet of earth at the top of the mountain.
On your hike down, stop and look at the millstone piled up on the side of the trail. Take a piece and look carefully; In most rocks, you will find that it is relatively light and full of air holes. Now look down at the rocks of the volcano and look at the big rocks below. Imagine the eruption of 79 AD, when huge rocks were thrown from where you stand to the shores of the Gulf of Naples!
Why not pick up a bottle or two of local wine Priveto, Lachryma Christi del Vesuvio? You can raise a glass to celebrate the volcano’s victory when you reach your hotel.
Practicalities
The park is open from A. M. until 3:00 P. M. 9:00 in the winter. From April through June, the park is open until 5:00 P. M., and from July until September 30, you can visit the crater until 6:30 P. M. Admission to the last part of the crater trails is Euro 6.50.
The Parco Nazionale del Vesuvio� offers a beautiful website with photos, trail information and the latest on the park and local weather. Information is available in four languages, including English.
Website of Vesuvioinrete:� http://www.vesuvioinrete.it/e_index.htm
