Just in case you weren’t aware, Mount Vesuvius is the colossal volcano that wiped out the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum when it erupted in 79 AD. This is what it’s famous for and why many tourists are drawn to visiting it when they visit Italy. It’s erupted more than 50 times since that fateful day in 79 AD, and it’s the only volcano in Europe to have erupted in the last 100 years. Despite the fact that it’s appeared dormant for the last few decades, it’s still considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world. Someone might want to tell that to the 3 million people that live in close proximity to it, don’t you think?
Hiking Mount Vesuvius
You might be a bit apprehensive about the hike itself – some of us aren’t experts on the old hike malarkey, and that’s okay. During the hike, it will only take about 30 minutes to reach the summit of the crater, which is no time at all! Some might argue against that considering that it’s a pretty steep uphill incline with rocky staircases to boot, but we swear that it’s not as tough as you’re fearing. The views from the top are absolutely worth the climb, we promise!
If you’re a regular hiker, you’ll do it with ease and probably ask for more. If exercise isn’t necessarily part of your regular exercise routine, you’ll be okay too! There’s a sturdy wooden railing along the edge of the cliff face, which is ideal for keeping hikers safe as well as using for support during the climb. One thing to be aware of is the layers of ash and dust as you’re walking, you can lose your footing or slip on the hefty piles before you. You may need to take a break or two to catch your breath (we did, and we’re not ashamed of it), but luckily, you’ll be able to gaze on the incredible views of the bay of Naples below as you rest. To be entirely honest, we couldn’t really dream of a scenario more perfect than that!
On Reaching the Summit of Mount Vesuvius
When you reach the crater, try not to be too disappointed! No, unfortunately there’s nothing super cool like bubbling lava or towers of flames shooting towards the skies… But given Pompeii and Herculaneum’s unfortunate circumstances, this is nothing but a good thing! On a good day, the crater will release some steam or a subtle plume of smoke, as volcanoes tend to do. When you turn around to face the edge of the cliff, you’ll see the incredible view of Naples stretch for miles. Your eyes will be met by the clear blue waters of the ocean, and if you’re lucky and the day is clear, you may even see the islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida in the distance! We can assure you that they’re next on our bucket list for sure, but what’s on yours? Guess it’s time to find out!
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