CAPRI IS AN ISLAND OF PURE ENCHANTMENT. A PLACE WHERE ROMAN EMPERORS SOUGHT INSPIRATION AND CELEBRITIES FIND THEIR ESCAPE. MOST VISITORS EXPERIENCE ITS CHARM THROUGH THE CHIC LANES OF CAPRI TOWN AND ANACAPRI. BUT TO TRULY CONNECT WITH ITS WILD HEART, YOU MUST WALK ITS ANCIENT PATHS.

THIS IS A WALKER’S PARADISE. IMAGINE YOURSELF TRACING SEASIDE CLIFFS, WITH THE ENDLESS BLUE OF THE TYRRHENIAN SEA BELOW YOU. OR CLIMBING TO A QUIET PEAK FOR A 360-DEGREE VIEW OF THE ISLAND. THESE HIKES REVEAL THE SOUL OF CAPRI, FAR FROM THE BUSTLING PIAZZAS. THEY OFFER MOMENTS OF QUIET BEAUTY AND SWEEPING VISTAS THAT HAVE CAPTIVATED TRAVELERS FOR CENTURIES.

WALKING THESE TRAILS IS A JOURNEY THROUGH HISTORY, NATURE, AND LUXURY. IT’S A CHANCE TO DISCOVER HIDDEN GROTTOS, ROMAN RUINS, AND POSTCARD-PERFECT SCENES. LET US GUIDE YOU THROUGH THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WALKS AND HIKES CAPRI HAS TO OFFER.

VIA KRUPP: THE WORLD’S MOST BEAUTIFUL ROAD

ONE OF CAPRI’S MOST ICONIC LANDMARKS IS NOT A BUILDING, BUT A PATH. VIA KRUPP IS A MASTERPIECE OF ENGINEERING AND ARTISTRY, OFTEN CALLED ONE OF THE PRETTIEST ROADS IN THE WORLD. THIS HISTORIC WALKWAY WAS COMMISSIONED IN THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY BY GERMAN INDUSTRIALIST FRIEDRICH ALFRED KRUPP. HE DESIRED AN ELEGANT PATH TO CONNECT HIS SUITE AT THE GRAND HOTEL QUISISANA WITH HIS YACHT MOORED IN MARINA PICCOLA.

THE RESULT IS A DAZZLING SERIES OF HAIRPIN BENDS CARVED DIRECTLY INTO THE CLIFFSIDE. THE TURNS ARE SO TIGHT THEY APPEAR TO OVERLAP, CREATING A STONE RIBBON CASCADING DOWN TO THE SEA. AFTER A YEARS-LONG RESTORATION TO REINFORCE THE CLIFFS, VIA KRUPP TRIUMPHANTLY REOPENED IN JUNE 2023.

WALKING THIS PATH IS AN EXPERIENCE IN ITSELF. THE VIEWS ARE SIMPLY BREATHTAKING. AS YOU DESCEND, THE FAMOUS FARAGLIONI ROCKS EMERGE, FRAMED BY LUSH GARDENS AND THE TURQUOISE WATER. IT’S A SHORT, ACCESSIBLE WALK THAT OFFERS SOME OF THE MOST DRAMATIC SCENERY ON THE ISLAND.

TO BEGIN, START AT THE PIAZZETTA UMBERTO I IN CAPRI TOWN. FOLLOW VIA VITTORIO EMANUELE TO THE BEAUTIFUL GARDENS OF AUGUSTUS. HERE, A PANORAMIC TERRACE OFFERS THE PERFECT VANTAGE POINT TO ADMIRE VIA KRUPP FROM ABOVE BEFORE YOU BEGIN YOUR DESCENT. IT’S AN ESSENTIAL CAPRI EXPERIENCE AND A PERFECT INTRODUCTION TO THE ISLAND’S WALKABLE WONDERS.

PIZZOLUNGO TRAIL: A TALE OF TWO CAPRIS

THE PIZZOLUNGO TRAIL IS WHERE YOU EXPERIENCE THE ISLAND’S DUAL PERSONALITY. IT GUIDES YOU FROM THE SOPHISTICATED BUSTLE OF CAPRI TOWN INTO THE ISLAND’S UNTAMED COASTAL WILDERNESS. THIS PATH IS ONE OF CAPRI’S MOST SCENIC FOOTPATHS, OFFERING A JOURNEY THAT FEELS BOTH GLAMOROUS AND WILD.

THE TRAIL INVOLVES A NUMBER OF STEPS, BOTH UP AND DOWN, BUT THE REWARDS ARE IMMENSE. YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS IN THE FAMOUS PIAZZETTA. FROM THERE, YOU’LL MEANDER DOWN VIA VITTORIO EMANUELE AND ONTO THE BOUTIQUE-LINED VIA CAMERELLE, EVENTUALLY REACHING VIA TRAGARA.

AS YOU FOLLOW THE SIGNS FOR THE ARCO NATURALE (NATURAL ARCH), THE PATH BEGINS TO REVEAL ITS RUSTIC CHARACTER. THE CHIC VILLAS GIVE WAY TO DRAMATIC COASTAL SCENERY. A RECOMMENDED STOP IS THE CHARMING LE GROTELLE RESTAURANT, A PERFECT SPOT FOR A REFRESHING DRINK OR A LEISURELY LUNCH WITH A VIEW.

CONTINUING ON, A STEEP DESCENT LEADS YOU TO THE INCREDIBLE CAVE OF MATERMANIA. THIS GROTTO WAS A SACRED SITE IN ANCIENT TIMES, WHERE PAGAN RITUALS WERE PERFORMED IN HONOR OF THE GOD MITRA. FROM THE CAVE, THE PATH WINDS DOWN TO PUNTA TRAGARA, REWARDING YOU WITH ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS VIEWS IN THE WORLD: THE MIGHTY FARAGLIONI SEA STACKS RISING FROM THE WATER.

TO COMPLETE THE FULL LOOP AND RETURN TO CAPRI TOWN, YOU’LL NEED ABOUT TWO AND A HALF HOURS. THIS HIKE IS A BEAUTIFUL NARRATIVE, SHOWCASING THE SEAMLESS BLEND OF CURATED LUXURY AND RAW NATURAL BEAUTY THAT DEFINES CAPRI.

MONTE SOLARO: THE ROOF OF CAPRI

FOR THE MOST SPECTACULAR VIEWS ON THE ISLAND, YOU MUST ASCEND MONTE SOLARO. AT 589 METERS, IT IS CAPRI’S HIGHEST POINT, OFFERING AN UNRIVALED 360-DEGREE PANORAMA. FROM ITS SUMMIT, THE ENTIRE ISLAND UNFOLDS BENEATH YOU, FROM THE BUSTLING HARBORS TO THE DRAMATIC COASTLINE AND THE ICONIC FARAGLIONI. ON A CLEAR DAY, YOU CAN SEE THE ENTIRE BAY OF NAPLES AND THE DISTANT AMALFI COAST.

REACHING THE TOP IS AN ADVENTURE IN ITSELF. FOR HIKERS, SEVERAL TRAILS LEAD TO THE SUMMIT. THE MOST STRAIGHTFORWARD PATH BEGINS IN THE MAIN SQUARE OF ANACAPRI. HEAD TOWARD VILLA SAN MICHELE, AND JUST BEFORE REACHING IT, TAKE THE NARROW ROAD ON YOUR RIGHT MARKED “MONTE SOLARO.” THE PEAK IS VISIBLE FOR MOST OF THE CLIMB, GUIDING YOUR WAY. THE HIKE TAKES ABOUT 1 TO 1.5 HOURS EACH WAY AND INCLUDES SOME STEEP SECTIONS, BUT THE BREATHTAKING SCENERY MAKES EVERY STEP WORTHWHILE.

FOR A MORE LEISURELY ASCENT, THE CHAIRLIFT FROM ANACAPRI IS A FANTASTIC OPTION. THIS SINGLE-SEAT LIFT GLIDES YOU GENTLY OVER GARDENS AND VINEYARDS, OFFERING A PEACEFUL, 12-MINUTE JOURNEY TO THE TOP. MANY VISITORS CHOOSE TO TAKE THE CHAIRLIFT UP AND ENJOY A SCENIC HIKE BACK DOWN, COMBINING RELAXATION WITH EXPLORATION. A ONE-WAY TICKET COSTS AROUND €11, WHILE A ROUND-TRIP IS ABOUT €14.

WHILE ON MONTE SOLARO, CONSIDER A SHORT DETOUR TO THE HERMITAGE OF CETRELLA. THIS TINY, CHARMING CHURCH IS PERCHED ON A ROCKY OUTCROP, OFFERING A TRANQUIL SPOT WITH STUNNING VIEWS OF THE SEA BELOW. WHETHER YOU HIKE, TAKE THE CHAIRLIFT, OR DO A BIT OF BOTH, A TRIP TO MONTE SOLARO IS AN UNFORGETTABLE CAPRI HIGHLIGHT.

PATH OF THE LITTLE FORTS: A COASTAL JOURNEY

FOR A HIKE THAT COMBINES HISTORY WITH DRAMATIC SEASCAPES, LOOK NO FURTHER THAN THE SENTIERO DEI FORTINI, OR THE PATH OF THE LITTLE FORTS. THIS BEAUTIFUL TRAIL TRACES THE WESTERN COASTLINE, CONNECTING A SERIES OF HISTORIC FORTS BUILT TO DEFEND THE ISLAND.

THE HIKE STRETCHES APPROXIMATELY 5.5 KILOMETERS BETWEEN THE FAMOUS GROTTA AZZURRA (BLUE GROTTO) AND THE PUNTA CARENA LIGHTHOUSE. THE PATH IS NAMED FOR THE THREE FORTS YOU’LL ENCOUNTER ALONG THE WAY: FORTINO DI PINO, FORTINO DI MEZZO, AND FORTINO DI CANTONE. THESE MILITARY POSTS WERE FIRST BUILT BY THE BRITISH AND LATER EXPANDED BY THE FRENCH IN THE 19TH CENTURY.

TODAY, THE PATH OFFERS A JOURNEY THROUGH MEDITERRANEAN FLORA, WITH THE SCENT OF PINE AND WILD HERBS IN THE AIR. THE VIEWS ARE CONSISTENTLY SPECTACULAR, WITH THE RUGGED COASTLINE MEETING THE DEEP BLUE SEA AT EVERY TURN. IT’S AN IDEAL ROUTE FOR A PICNIC, WITH COUNTLESS STUNNING SPOTS TO STOP AND SOAK IN THE SCENERY.

WHILE YOU CAN START AT EITHER END, IT’S GENERALLY EASIER TO BEGIN AT THE PUNTA CARENA LIGHTHOUSE AND WALK TOWARD THE BLUE GROTTO. THIS DIRECTION OFFERS A GENTLER, MOSTLY DOWNHILL OR FLAT, TRAJECTORY. BOTH TRAILHEADS ARE ACCESSIBLE BY BUS FROM ANACAPRI. ALLOW AROUND THREE HOURS TO COMPLETE THE HIKE AT A COMFORTABLE PACE, GIVING YOURSELF PLENTY OF TIME TO EXPLORE THE FORTS AND TAKE PHOTOS.

HIKE TO VILLA JOVIS: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF AN EMPEROR

STEP BACK IN TIME WITH A HIKE TO VILLA JOVIS, THE GRANDEST OF EMPEROR TIBERIUS’S TWELVE VILLAS ON CAPRI. PERCHED ATOP THE ISLAND’S EASTERNMOST PEAK, THIS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OFFERS A FASCINATING GLIMPSE INTO ROMAN IMPERIAL LIFE AND SOME OF THE MOST COMMANDING VIEWS ON THE ISLAND.

THE WALK FROM CAPRI TOWN TO VILLA JOVIS IS A REWARDING 45-MINUTE CLIMB. BEGIN AT THE PIAZZETTA AND FOLLOW VIA LONGANO, THEN VIA SOPRAMONTE, AND FINALLY VIA TIBERIO. THE ASCENT IS STEADY BUT MANAGEABLE, AND THE SENSE OF ANTICIPATION BUILDS AS YOU CLIMB HIGHER.

ONCE YOU ARRIVE, YOU’LL DISCOVER THE SPRAWLING RUINS OF WHAT WAS ONCE A MAGNIFICENT PLEASURE PALACE. BUILT 2,000 YEARS AGO, VILLA JOVIS WAS BOTH A LUXURIOUS RESIDENCE AND A STRATEGIC FORTRESS. FROM HERE, TIBERIUS GOVERNED THE ROMAN EMPIRE FOR THE LAST DECADE OF HIS LIFE. AS YOU WANDER THROUGH THE REMAINS OF THE IMPERIAL QUARTERS, BATHS, AND CISTERNS, YOU CAN ALMOST IMAGINE THE GRANDEUR OF ANCIENT ROME.

A TICKET IS REQUIRED TO ENTER THE RUINS, WHICH COSTS AROUND €6 PER PERSON. OPENING HOURS CAN CHANGE, SO IT’S WISE TO CHECK THEM BEFORE YOU SET OFF. THE COMBINATION OF ANCIENT HISTORY AND PANORAMIC VISTAS MAKES THE HIKE TO VILLA JOVIS A TRULY COMPELLING EXPERIENCE.

THE NATURAL ARCH: A WINDOW TO THE SEA

A SHORT BUT STUNNING WALK LEADS TO ONE OF CAPRI’S MOST REMARKABLE GEOLOGICAL WONDERS: THE ARCO NATURALE, OR NATURAL ARCH. THIS MONUMENTAL ROCK FORMATION, SHAPED BY MILLENNIA OF WIND AND WATER EROSION, FORMS A NATURAL WINDOW OVERLOOKING THE SEA.

THE WALK TO THE ARCH IS AN EXTENSION OF THE PIZZOLUNGO TRAIL, BUT IT CAN ALSO BE ENJOYED AS A SHORTER EXCURSION ON ITS OWN. FROM THE PIAZZETTA, FOLLOW THE SIGNS ALONG A PLEASANT PATH THAT WINDS THROUGH QUIET RESIDENTIAL AREAS AND LUSH VEGETATION.

THE MOMENT YOU ARRIVE AT THE VIEWING PLATFORM, THE SIGHT IS SIMPLY AWE-INSPIRING. THE MASSIVE PALE-GRAY LIMESTONE ARCH FRAMES A PERFECT PICTURE OF THE BRILLIANT BLUE SEA. IT’S A POWERFUL REMINDER OF NATURE’S ARTISTRY AND A FAVORITE SPOT FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS. THE PATH DOWN FROM THE ARCH CONNECTS TO THE CAVE OF MATERMANIA, ALLOWING YOU TO LINK THIS WALK WITH THE LARGER PIZZOLUNGO CIRCUIT IF YOU WISH.

ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR WALKING IN CAPRI

TO ENSURE YOUR HIKING EXPERIENCE IS COMFORTABLE AND ENJOYABLE, A LITTLE PREPARATION GOES A LONG WAY.

  • WEAR PROPER SHOES: THE TERRAIN CAN BE UNEVEN, WITH COBBLESTONES AND ROCKY PATHS. COMFORTABLE WALKING SHOES OR LIGHT HIKING BOOTS ARE ESSENTIAL.
  • PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THE SUN: MANY TRAILS OFFER LITTLE SHADE. BRING A HAT, SUNGLASSES, AND HIGH-SPF SUNSCREEN.
  • STAY HYDRATED: CARRY PLENTY OF WATER, ESPECIALLY DURING THE WARMER MONTHS.
  • BRING BUG REPELLENT: MOSQUITOES CAN BE PRESENT, PARTICULARLY ON TRAILS WITH DENSE VEGETATION.

LET US PLAN YOUR PERFECT CAPRI WALK

CAPRI IS AN ISLAND THAT REVEALS ITS DEEPEST SECRETS TO THOSE WHO EXPLORE IT ON FOOT. EACH PATH OFFERS A DIFFERENT STORY, A NEW PERSPECTIVE, AND A CHANCE TO CONNECT WITH THE ISLAND’S TIMELESS BEAUTY.

FROM THE DRAMATIC CLIFFS OF VIA KRUPP TO THE HISTORIC RUINS OF VILLA JOVIS, THESE WALKS INVITE YOU TO EXPERIENCE CAPRI IN A WAY THAT IS BOTH ACTIVE AND DEEPLY LUXURIOUS. IMAGINE STARTING YOUR DAY WITH A SCENIC HIKE, FOLLOWED BY A LEISURELY LUNCH AT A CLIFFSIDE RESTAURANT AND AN AFTERNOON SPENT RELAXING BY THE SEA.

AT BENARRIVATI, WE SPECIALIZE IN CRAFTING THESE PERFECT MOMENTS. WE CAN ARRANGE GUIDED HIKES WITH LOCAL EXPERTS, RECOMMEND THE BEST TRAILS FOR YOUR FITNESS LEVEL, AND HANDLE ALL THE DETAILS SO YOU CAN SIMPLY ENJOY THE WALK.

ARE YOU READY TO DISCOVER THE HIDDEN PATHS OF CAPRI? CONTACT US TODAY TO START PLANNING YOUR BESPOKE ITALIAN JOURNEY.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION’S

OUR GUIDED HIKES INCLUDE EXPERT LOCAL GUIDES, TRAIL RECOMMENDATIONS TAILORED TO YOUR FITNESS LEVEL, AND OPTIONAL TRANSPORTATION ARRANGEMENTS.

YES, ALL ITINERARIES ARE BESPOKE AND CAN BE CUSTOMIZED BASED ON YOUR PREFERENCES, INTERESTS, AND ACTIVITY LEVEL.

ABSOLUTELY! WE OFFER OPTIONS RANGING FROM LEISURELY WALKS TO MORE CHALLENGING HIKES, ACCOMMODATING ALL FITNESS LEVELS.

WE RECOMMEND COMFORTABLE WALKING SHOES, A WATER BOTTLE, SUNSCREEN, AND A HAT. OUR TEAM WILL PROVIDE SPECIFIC GUIDANCE BASED ON YOUR HIKE.

YOU CAN CONTACT US DIRECTLY VIA OUR WEBSITE OR PHONE, AND WE’LL GUIDE YOU THROUGH THE BOOKING PROCESS TO CREATE YOUR PERSONALIZED ADVENTURE.

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ANTONELLA GIANCOLI Founder and CEO benarrivati
Antonella Giancoli, founder & CEO of Benarrivati, is a travel visionary passionate about Italy’s culture, lifestyle, and hidden gems. Through her curated itineraries, she helps travellers experience authentic Italy blending history, gastronomy, and local traditions into unforgettable journeys.