Mount Vesuvius

Climbing Mt. Vesuvius has been on my bucket list for many years. Finally, at 70, I was able to visit the volcano with my grandson and hike to the crater. Having plenty of water, good hiking shoes and hiking poles for people my age is important as the path is steep and uneven, and the fine gravel mixed with larger stones slippery and very dusty especially when a group walked by. I had to stop to catch my breath quite frequently, at 4:30 PM in July it was scorching 35C. The only benches to sit on are near the crater by a couple of stores selling souvenirs, water, ice cream and T-shirts. The vendors were very nice, able to communicate in English, taking credit cards. There were portable toilets there also. More souvenirs are sold at the bus stop and there is a store selling bottles of assorted wine made from grapes grown in the fertile soil of Vesuvius. At 20€ a bottle, cash , it makes a great gift. I bought several bottles of white and red, and enjoyed a smaller bottle, 15€, at the hotel later, it was delicious.

I highly recommend visiting Mount Vesuvius! It's an incredible place with lush vegetation that adds charm to the area. The trail to the summit is well-maintained, but the path is quite animal-like and ascends uphill, taking about 40 minutes from the bus stop, while descending takes around 25-30 minutes. Up top, you can feel a distinct smell of chlorine. The trail is mostly dirt and quite steep, so be prepared for a bit of a hike. Along the way, there are plenty of spots to stop for a snack and a rest. There are also souvenirs available, making the trip even more enjoyable. The views from the top are breathtaking! This is a must-visit for nature and history enthusiasts. I will definitely come back again!

WOW! It's impressive. The crater is huge, you can see it through the barriers. The views are very nice over all of Naples and the surrounding area. It's definitely worth going to Vesuvius!

We took the Vesuvius tour through Viator! The hike from the bus to the rim is about one mile but it is switchback trails for the entire path. We took a few rests on the way to the top. It was worth the hike. Amazing views! You can see evidence of the 1940s lava flows.

Outstanding, breathtaking views. Easy to park, cheap shuttle bus to the entrance. Got a drink and ice cream before our climb up to the top. Climb was tough in the heat but worth the effort. Can get more drinks at the top as well. Walk around the crater you won’t be disappointed! Spent a few hours here. Photos don’t do it justice

Managed to get my wife up to the top of Mount Vesuvius — no small feat and one we’ll be bragging about for years. The walk is longer than it looks thanks to countless dusty switchbacks designed to lull you into a false sense of progress. “We’re nearly there!” became a phrase I uttered far too soon and far too often. Thankfully, there are plenty of rest stops, little shops, and even a bus that takes you most of the way — so you’re not exactly Bear Grylls-ing it. The views are worth every step, and there’s something epic about peering into a volcano that once buried a city. Top tip: Book your entry tickets before you get to the mountain. The online system is... let’s call it “charmingly Italian” — but it’s a lot easier to wrestle with it from the comfort of your hotel room with decent Wi-Fi, rather than while clinging to a 3G signal and your last ounce of patience halfway up a volcano. Dusty, dramatic, and a bit chaotic — just like Italy itself. Would 100% recommend!

Hiking Mt. Vesuvius is a fantastic activity that pairs perfectly with a visit to Pompeii. We took a tour from Naples with Askos Tours, and their service was exceptional. Our driver, Luigi, deserves a 5*. The hike from the parking lot takes about 30 minutes up and 30 minutes down, but for a more immersive experience, you can hike from the base. Be sure to wear proper shoes (rocks and fravel), bring water, sunscreen, and an umbrella for shade - there's limited cover from the sun. Our tour included two knowledgeable guides, one for the hike (Mario) and a geologist, and both shared interesting insights about the area's history, details about the past famous eruption, and volcano geology. They were great at keeping everyone informed and safe throughout the hike.

One of a kind experience with stunning city and mountain views! I suggest going early in the morning especially in spring/summer. You can see all the minerals and their colors in the mountain while enjoy city and sea view on the other side. Going up (from 1000m where buses stop) is quite easy and takes 20-30min depending on your pace. Totally worth it!

We were with a bus tour group from Rome. There were a lot of buses down this small street that dead ended at the entrance. Everything is very rustic, including the toilets. They look like pit toilets so I didn't use. There are four souvenir shops with drinks and snacks. One at the entrance/exit area, and three at the top. There is a man inside the trail head after the first souvenir shop that rents out walking sticks for€1 each. We were told by our tour guide that it's the man's livelihood and income so we rented one. It did help with the hike up. The hike has a steep incline, switchbacks all the way up, and is a dirt trail with loose rocks in some areas. Please stay on the trails. We saw a few disrespectful kids scrambling on the lava rocks and vegetation. The view at the top and bragging rights were with the climb. Lol!

When we were here in Naples, Mount Vesuvius was supposedly mildly active. So we thought, we would be mildly cautious and skip the two hour journey up and back... just to be safe. LOL But as you can see from Naples' bustling Via Ferninando and Via Nuova water front, we thought we were close enough. Vesuvius is a somewhat smaller volcano at only 4,203 feet, as compared to the ones in the Pacific NW's Mount St Helens (9,677'), Mt Hood (11,249') or Mount Rainier (14,399'). But as they say, size doesn't matter if you are too close when it erupts. See attached photos. We found the views breathtaking, even on a cloudy day.

The Mount Vesuvius is a somma stratovolcano located on the Gulf of Naples. It consists of a large cone partially encircled by the steep rim of a summit caldera, and it requires you to hike quite a bit in the extreme mode, but it's totally worth it. The round trip to the top and down could take about one to two hours and it really depends on your pace. The review along the way up and on the top edge of the volcano is breathtaking.

I always feel weird to 'judge' (rate) Mother Nature. I can tell you that after being worn out from all the driving and walking (you are scaling a mountain, after all) - I couldn't help but remember George Carlin's zing about the Grand Canyon. The uneven terrain (more than few seniors were wise enough to bring/use walking poles). The wind (strong enough to carry away a small child or animal I bet). The absolute insanity of our tour bus driver trying to set a new land-speed record going up (and later down) the (ever-twisting) mountain... your heart will be trying to burst out of your chest. The spotty/shoddy Wifi. But... the view. That view! ("Views", really.) Looking out towards the Bay of Naples (as well as the other directions) - just stunning and almost worth the pain you'll be in (if you're out of shape like myself!). And if you trek to the very farthest gift/snack shop (at the very end of the trail)... that hot cup of coffee and shot of limoncello will never again taste so delightful and well-earned. Just divine. (And exactly the type of 'fuel' you'll need to retrace your steps to do it all over again... in reverse.) Glad my family came and visited. But for a typical tourist that's trying to squeeze in as much as possible (in a limited time, with limited resources) in a country as stacked as Italy with so much rich history to experience... I'm not sure I'd recommend coming here, to be honest.

What a breathtaking experience. Literally. I was sick and recovering, but that didn't stop me from hiking this sleeping giant of a volcano! I was going to do it no matter what. I had a guided group tour of Pompeii from Enjoy Pompeii that I booked from Viator.com that also included Vesuvius. Literally booked it the day before. The van dropped us off most of the way till the checkpoint where it's another 25-30 minutes to hike up. It was cloudy the day I went, so it was chilly and felt like you were walking in the clouds. Mid March is still chilly in Italy, and since we were walking up a volcano it was super windy. Some people came prepared with windbreaker jackets or coats, and shoes with traction. I did not. Lol. I had jeans and a Lululemon sweater and Stan Smith Adidas with zero traction. It was the only pair of sneakers I packed for Europe. Honestly, you get hot walking up in elevation. The path is an incline that is a bit zig zag and winds around. There's a few stairs but not much. What is really worse is the small, gravel-like dirt path and other rocks you have to dodge. It gets slippery. That paired with my short stature, shoes with no traction, and incline path made for an interesting hike. Not to mention, I was recovering from being sick and already couldn't breathe. I did a before and after recording of the hike, which was hilarious. I didn't fall!! There was a nice couple celebrating their 30th anniversary, and the husband was kind enough to lend out his arm as he, his wife, and I walked back down. So nice! Anyway, there are a few mini checkpoints along the way for souvenirs, hot chocolate, alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks and snacks. I picked up a cool magnet and a Coke. The view of the crater and the city of Napoli (Naples) was amazing. It would've been better on a clear day, but I'm so glad I decided to do this for myself while my mobility is still intact. As someone who was recently diagnosed with MS, this was rewarding. When would I ever get this opportunity?! Also, really glad it didn't erupt while on it!!!

A beautiful natural wonder. You drive about 2/3 of the way up the mountain and hike up the last part. The hike is steep across loose dirt so be careful. The views are stunning on both the volcano's crater and of the skyline all around. You get to walk about a third to a half of the rim and you can see steam rising, all kinds of rocks and minerals, and even some wildlife. It's all quite beautiful. I really wish they would have some descriptions along the route. We had just walked the ruins and wanted to know where the ruins were from the top of the mount. It would have been nice to have descriptions of the different kinds of rock. Highlight other landmarks that can be seen from the mount. Why not help people learn about the history as they are catching their breath from the hike? Beautiful scenery. Definitely worth the drive and hike.

Believe it or not Vesuvius also known as Mount Vesuvius by Americans, is still an active volcano. The last time it erupted was in the 1940s. You can still see the ashes from that eruption today in the valley once you walk to the top. This volcano is most popular for burying the city of Pompeii and perfectly preserving it until it's discovery. This park is most definitely worth the hike to the top. You will see the most beautiful view from the top. You can look down into the crater, which still steams today. They have gift shops and a snack bar on site. It is said that the volcanic soil produces the best and sweetest produce, particularly known for the tomatoes! Pretty amazing.

Ascending to this active volcano was a journey that blended physical exertion with the sheer force of nature. We got tickets for a tour that brought us up about two-thirds of the way up the mountain and dropped us off to hike up the rest of the way. The mostly dirt trail was a steep climb, be sure to prepare for a long hike with comfortable shoes and clothing. Remember that you're climbing up a mountain, it can be quite cold up there. A crucial tip: water will be your friend, bring plenty. It took about forty minutes to walk up to the top. This adventure, though personally physically demanding, offers a remarkable sense of satisfaction after reaching the summit and witnessing the volcanic spectacle, which made the journey one to remember. At the peak, we enjoyed a wide view of the city of Naples and Pompeii. We were also able to witness the crater at the summit and learn about the volcano's historical significance. Overall, a challenging yet rewarding adventure that left a lasting impression.

It's an active volcano! You can see the steam rising from the crater. The crater's bowl has natural wild vegetation growing around it. The texture isn't the same all around. There's a part that looks like elephant skin. This hike was wonderful! While the day we went was awkwardly foggy and cold, it was better than a hot day, or I would've never made it. It took me longer than most people; they passed us up. I continued because I saw elderly people with their canes coming down from the mount. I was inspired. There are several gift shops and rest stops on the way up. There is no flat land in between. You either hike up or down. If you make it to the abandoned funicular station, be proud of yourself. Sure, take pics, but stay away from the edge near the rope. The ground slants and it's loose gravel. By the way, parking is ridiculous! You need an entry ticket before driving up to the rocky lot. Ladies...THERE ARE NO RESTROOMS! Bring your lungs full of breath and mints. If you dare, bring some water.

I was in Italy with family for a week long vacation and we decided to go to Mount Vesuvius. I'm sure you've heard about how Mount Vesuvius exploded a couple hundred years ago and destroyed Pompeii. It was one of the most catastrophic eruption ever. Mount Vesuvius is an active volcano which mean it has erupted at least once is the past 10,000 years and can erupt again. You get taken halfway up the volcano by a car that goes through a lot of curvy roads. After you get to the stopping point, you start walking all the way up. Make sure you wear shoes and are dressed in some long sleeves clothes. It get really windy and cold at the top. The cool part was that they have a little shop near the top of the volcano. You can get souvenirs, snacks, and drinks there. They even take you to the top of the volcano and talk about other eruptions that have occurred. Walking up Mount Vesuvius was an amazing experience and you should definitely do it if you're in Pompeii.

Buy your tickets in Advance!! There appears to be some type of scam going on at the top if you are not prepared. I sat and watched numerous families get to the top by EAV bus without tickets and endure the same scam as my family. You get to the top thinking you can just buy tickets there, but the only way to get them once at the top are online. Once the EAV bus leaves the top, the guys at the only entrance to the park tell you that you have to buy your tickets online.... So, you frantically start trying to catch a cell signal or try joining the free and very poor WiFi out there to buy your tickets. The problem is that the guy that owns the stand nearby has already counted the number of people needing tickets and has went online and bought out all the tickets during the next few time-slots. No worries though... He will sell them to you for a €5 premium and email you the bar code so that you can enter the park. Now you've paid €15 for a €10 ticket. The hike to Vesuvius was great. 5 stars! Just be warned about the ticket scam that's occurring at the top! Buy your tickets in advance!

Couple of things: Mount Vesuvius IS an ACTIVE volcano. Yup. You can see steaming vents at the summit. You can hike to the summit of Mount Vesuvius. You can expect: - gravel...and more gravel - temperature changes as you ascend - elevation changes (duh)! It's up, up, up...then down, down, down This is do-able and doesn't take a long time to get to the summit. 30-45 mins max if you are "fit." We saw people struggling with the inclined ascent and the gravelly descent. The gravel makes for a slippery fall if you're not careful. Hard on the knees for sure. Be forewarned, this is not stroller friendly terrain nor is it for the elderly using assistive devices. The views getting to the summit is absolutely breathtaking! You can see Naples and a few islands in the distance. You can walk the rim of Mount Vesuvius and you can see different spots where steam vents were active and the strong smell of sulfur lingers in the air. Definitely cooler at the top so bring something to cover up with. Hold on to your hats and caps as we saw many fly off and away. Bring a snack to enjoy at the summit...there are a few picnic tables at the top. There is a souvenir shop at the top too that sell trinkets and stuff. I brought back a bunch of gravel that stuck onto the bottom of my shoes - free!

Well, my first volcano review! LOL 5 stars for not being active when I was climbing it (though you'll see some steam shooting out of the crater), but 1 star considering it's behind schedule for a "minor" eruption, and behind schedule for a "major" eruption, so just be warned, things may be different by the time you visit. We scheduled an all day Pompeii tour from Rome which included Mount Vesuvius (must do for the view!). The bus took us almost to the top (up a very narrow, winding road, which will be scary, unless you've done Machu Picchu and you know how much worse that was lol), and then from there you'll hike 30 minutes - 1 hour depending how far you want to go and how much you want to see. This is not an "easy" hike, and definitely had me out of breath, but I saw lots of different ages managing it, and trust me, it's worth it. The view of Naples down below is absolutely breath taking, as well as seeing the islands (Capri etc) off in the distance. And how many people can say they've climbed a volcano? PRO TIP - make sure you pick up a souvenir free lava rock from the trail!

A very different kind of tourist attraction from the surrounding area. The volcanic mountain is impressive, but so is the well preserved village that made it famous.

You must be physically fit for this. Be prepared for: -elevation change -extreme weather -hiking in gravel Bring water, sunscreen, hat, and maybe a hiking stick. I took a 30 minute bus ride, 30 minute walk, then the hike. For the elderly and 6+ months pregnant, be warned!

Climb the path to the Volcano crater! This is a one of kind experience that should not be missed by those who can make a 30+ minute steeply vertical climb up a switchback gravel path. You can stop along the way to rest by the edge, but it goes up the whole way to the first station. it is a short inclined path to the second station and then for those who want a different view of the caldera continue to walk the relatively level path around the rim to the 3rd station. The views from the path and the stations looking over the volcano are interesting and out of over Naples and the bay stunning. Bring a camera! You can buy drinks at the second station and the base station. Water is a very good idea! TIPS: 1) Wear good walking shoes and some choose to bring a walking stick 2) Go when the weather is cooler or the volcanic rock gravel will bake you 3) Water and sunscreen are very helpful.