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Mount Vesuvius

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pointofnoreturn
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Mount Vesuvius

Mount Vesuvius

This famous Italian volcano overlooks the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, both of which were left in ruins by the devastating eruption of A.D. 79. The last time Mt. Vesuvius erupted was just prior to the start of World War II and hasn't done so since then to this day. Vesuvius is over 4000 ft high and is now a national park in which visitors can reach the summit by foot.

Entry to Vesuvius National Park costs €6.50. You can reach it by bus (€7.60-8.60 depending on whether you depart from Ercolano or Pompei Scavi stations) and taxi (€10/person round-trip). The latter is quicker and more frequent if you're on a tight schedule. A word of warning: taxi drivers are gruff, rude and drive like a maniac. It should take no more than 30 minutes to reach the 1,000 ft mark. If you opt to take a taxi, you'll be required to pay the admission fee for entry to the crater (€6.50) ahead of time. When you reach the 1,000 ft mark after a harrowing drive through hair-pin turns, the driver will give you a voucher for entry and give you approx. 1 hour.

The walk up to the crater should take no more than 45 minutes and you are given the option of taking a walking stick or not (Don't use a stick - you'll know why later!).

TIP: Wear sturdy running shoes. The paths are slippery and can be tough on your knees. Wear sunscreen and bring a bottle of water with you.

The view of Naples is stunning. On a good day, you'll get a clear view and most days, there will be a thin blanket of mist covering the city. Once you reach the crater, you'll be disappointed to see that it's nothing by a sunken hole in the volcano covered with rocks. Many people expect to see a sea of bubbling lava but it's far from that.

On the way down, it's quicker and should take no more than 25 minutes depending on your pace. If you were one of the gullible tourists (like me!) that took a walking stick, you'll be met with the people who gave it to you and you'll be harassed for a tip. Don't tip anything more than 1 euro because honestly, it's just a stick!

If you're planning to go to Vesuvius, Pompeii, or Herculaneum or more than one of these places in a single day, it's vital to plan it out accordingly. If you're taking a taxi, you must get to the bottom of the summit in time for the driver to take you back to the train station. Read my detailed experience in this journal for a guide to taking a day trip to Naples and visiting Pompeii and Vesuvius in a day while using the train system.

Overall, while I was extremely disappointed by the crater's blandness, I thoroughly enjoyed the spectacular view from the summit of Vesuvius and would gladly recommend it to any hiking enthusiastic!

From journal Day trip to Naples: Vesuvius and Pompeii

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