Category Archives: Excursions

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5 Instagram profiles to follow on Massa Lubrense

Category:Blog,Excursions,Places,Travel Tags : 

In this article we suggest some of the most interesting Instagram profiles to follow related to Massa Lubrense, known for the wonderful and unmissable places that distinguish it.

The first profile is that of AmpPuntaCampanella. There is a very large gallery of evocative scenarios related to the mythical “land of mermaids”, with some of the most beautiful underwater landscapes in the Mediterranean.

Within the profile is highlighted the absolute need to protect this Marine Area so rich in biodiversity. In fact, the AMP carries out a series of projects aimed at protecting the sea, protecting protected species such as dolphins, the awareness of fishermen, the monitoring of turtles, seahorses and water quality.

AboutSorrento

Another profile to keep an eye on is AboutSorrento. It collects beautiful images related to Sorrento, Vico Equense and surroundings with stories highlights dedicated to Massa Lubrense. Moreover there are many posts with its most beautiful views, the most appetizing foods and drinks, the most beautiful beaches. It is one of the most appealing accounts also for the exceptional quality of the images and videos proposed.

EnjoyBikeSorrento

For lovers of cycling who want to share their path with someone, the Instagram EnjoyBikeSorrento profile is very useful to follow. They are experienced cyclists who organize bike tours from Sorrento to Massa Lubrense in order to reach, cycling, the most unspoiled corners of the territory, far from mass tourism, living a unique experience surrounded by the scents and colors of nature.

Biagio | Sorrento

The digital creator Biagio, on Instagram nse_bg, collects on his profile multiple reels and images of the wonders of the Campania region seen from above. Particularly beautiful are the views of the Amalfi Coast, Capri, Punta Campanella, Positano, Sorrento and many other places. All the contents are captured by drone at dawn, late at night or during sunset. Even the music selected to accompany the videos is particularly pleasant and seem to load with poetry and romance these dream locations.

Campania da vivere

The last profile we propose is CampaniaDaVivere. It is a tourism marketing project in Campania, a sort of showcase to give visibility to the Campania region with its places, events, clubs and gastronomy.

In the profile there are stories highlights on Massa Lubrense in which are shown glimpses of Torca, the islet Isca, the Abbey of San Pietro, the Fjord of Crapolla, the archipelago Li Galli, Marina del Cantone and the seaside village of Marina della Lobra. Also, the gallery is full of wonderful sunsets, turquoise sea and dream places that deserve to be seen up close.

If you plan to do so and need more information on initiatives, parties, excursions and much more, the account of the Pro Loco di Massa Lubrense will also be very useful.


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A day in Crapolla

Category:Blog,Culture,Excursions,Featured,Places,Pro Loco,Travel Tags : 

Crapolla è una località marina del paese di Torca, frazione di Massa Lubrense. Affaccia sul golfo di Salerno a poca distanza dalla rinomata Positano. Il fiordo si insinua nel Monte di Torca, dove sorgono una torre antisaracena e i resti dell’abbazia di San Pietro.

Il Fiordo di Crapolla a Massa Lubrense è certamente tra le più suggestive insenature della Penisola Sorrentina, un luogo che custodisce un ricco patrimonio storico e naturalistico.

Cosa fare in un giorno a Crapolla

Il fiordo di Crapolla è raggiungibile esclusivamente a piedi partendo dalla piazzetta di Torca. Gli autobus SITA che raggiungono questa frazione partono da Sorrento, alcuni passano da Massa Centro prima di raggiungere Sant’Agata sui due golfi, quindi Torca. Per chi arriva in auto, c’è possibilità di parcheggio nelle strisce blu, nella piazzetta accanto alla Chiesa di San Tommaso Apostolo.

Il sentiero può essere intrapreso anche da Sant’Agata sui due Golfi, che dista solo un chilometro da Torca. Il percorso è di difficoltà elevata, ma ben tracciato. Prima di intraprenderlo, assicuriamoci di avere con noi abbondante acqua, cibo, un cappellino e scarpe da trekking.

Dopo un primo tratto tra i vicoletti del centro abitato, il sentiero si innesta su una vecchia mulattiera circondata dalla flora mediterranea.

Sentiero di Crapolla

Arrivati sul belvedere noto come “La guardia”, vi è una diramazione (tracciata con la fascia bianco-rossa) che prevede un percorso di ben 700 gradini che conducono al fiordo.

Il panorama

Sul versante di Positano si avvista l’arcipelago de Li Galli, che si lega al mito di Ulisse e delle sirene.

C’è poi Vetara, isolotto disabitato. Dista poche centinaia di metri lo Scoglio Isca, in passato abitato da Eduardo de Filippo, scelto come location del film È stata la mano di Dio di Paolo Sorrentino, il quale mostra le meraviglie della Penisola Sorrentina e della Costiera Amalfitana in scene solari, luminose e a tratti comiche.

Sul versante opposto si ammira il profilo di Punta Penna che delimita l’incantevole baia di Marina del Cantone.

La cappella e la spiaggia

Per fare una pausa dall’impegnativa passeggiata, lungo il sentiero che porta al fiordo si può visitare la Cappella di San Pietro, che si racconta sia stata edificata con le stesse pietre con cui era stata costruita la precedente Abbazia di San Pietro. Secondo la leggenda, quest’ultima sorgeva a sua volta sulle rovine di un antico tempio dedicato al dio Apollo e questo spiegherebbe il toponimo Crapolla.

Oltrepassata la cappella di San Pietro si giunge, finalmente, alla spiaggia. La spiaggia di Crapolla, in ciottoli, è anch’essa parte della Riserva Marina Protetta di Punta Campanella e solo in alcune ore del giorno è esposta al sole, mentre per gran parte della giornata resta in ombra.  

La spiaggia di Crapolla

La strata di ritorno è la stessa dell’andata, per cui consigliamo di evitare di percorrerla nelle ora più calde, soprattutto nei mesi estivi.


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Hiking and the sea: paths to the beaches

Category:Blog,Excursions,Places,Travel Tags : 

L’hiking è un’attività molto diffusa a Massa Lubrense e ci sono, in particolare, alcuni sentieri che vanno verso il mare, verso luoghi incantevoli e incontaminati. Parliamo di escursioni giornaliere che si svolgono su sentieri i cui itinerari non sono troppo complessi e richiedono un’attrezzatura minima.

Oltre 100 km di sentieri segnalati, paesaggi dai colori incredibili, calette nascoste e antiche viuzze tra i borghi sono alcuni dei motivi per cui Massa Lubrense è il luogo perfetto per passeggiare. La rete sentieristica gode di imperdibili e indimenticabili panorami sui due golfi di Napoli e Salerno.

Vediamo, quindi, quali sono i più bei sentieri che vanno verso il mare a Massa Lubrense.

Il fiordo di Crapolla

Il fiordo di Crapolla, una stretta e profonda spaccatura nella roccia che si insinua tra l’alta scogliera, da tenere in considerazione per svolgere hiking

È da non perdere il fiordo di Crapolla, un fiordo naturale che si trova a Torca, frazione di Massa Lubrense.

Si tratta di un’insenatura situata tra Recommone e Punta Taschiera che termina con una piccola, ma suggestiva, spiaggia in ciottoli, circondata da resti archeologici romani.

Fa parte dell’Area Marina Protetta di Punta Campanella e il mare è cristallino e incontaminato. Nei pressi della riva si può rimanere ammaliati da una flora e una fauna marina pregevolissima.

Per fare hiking in questa splendida zona di mare si consiglia di portare con sé cibo e abbondante acqua e di prediligere le ore meno calde, in quanto lungo il sentiero non ci sono molte zone d’ombra. In questo modo sarà possibile godere senza problemi dell’esperienza e del panorama mozzafiato.

Recommone

Vi è poi l’insenatura di Recommone che si trova fra la Marina del Cantone e il Fiordo di Crapolla ed è caratterizzata da scogli, sassolini bianchi e ghiaia. È un luogo perfetto per godersi il sole e il mare in una cornice rocciosa, per cui si suggerisce di portare con sé ciabatte adatte a camminare sui ciottoli.

Si tratta di un posto incantevole che può essere raggiunto in barca o a piedi da Marina del Cantone. Il percorso attraversa il promontorio di Sant’Antonio, con incantevoli viste sul mare, poi il sentiero attraversa una boscaglia fino a fiancheggiare un muro di contenimento prima che si apra alla vista la costa di Recommone.

Baia di Ieranto

Baia di Ieranto

La Baia di Ieranto si colloca in un’insenatura della costiera sorrentina e fa parte dell’incantevole paradiso di Massa Lubrense. È la perla dell’Area Marina Protetta ed è raggiungibile solo a piedi o in canoa.

Qui il mare è tra i più cristallini e la Baia è stata interessata da diversi interventi che nel corso degli anni hanno ripristinato l’originale macchia mediterranea col suo rosmarino, il mirto, l’euforbia e il ginepro.

Oggi Ieranto è riconosciuta Sito di Interesse Comunitario, incluso nell’Area Marina Protetta di Punta Campanella ed è un luogo ideale per tutti coloro che apprezzano il contatto con la natura più incontaminata grazie all’abbondantissima biodiversità.

Suggeriamo caldamente di provare l’esperienza di percorrere a piedi questi meravigliosi sentieri, lo sforzo di raggiungerli verrà ripagato dai panorami straordinari che incanteranno la vostra vista.


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Family beaches in Massa Lubrense

Category:Blog,Culture,Excursions Tags : 

Massa Lubrense is also famous for its beautiful beaches. In particular, the two main ones are Marina del Cantone and Marina di Puolo, both easily reachable by car and equipped with parking. These family beaches are the most popular because they are the perfect destination for those traveling with children.

Marina del Cantone

Marina del Cantone is one of the largest beaches on the peninsula and overlooks the Gulf of Salerno. It is characterized by its clear water and white pebbles, which attract children and emphasize their desire to play.

It is ideal for families who want to enjoy a relaxing day and a nice beach bath with their children, since the water is shallow if you do not go too far from the shore. Children can enjoy snorkeling among the rocks, where you can admire the largest number of fish.

In Marina del Cantone, you can also rent pedal boats and canoes, to be used independently to explore the bay or choose from the different kayak excursions proposed.

The beach has free access in some areas with the possibility of renting umbrellas, sun beds and deck chairs, or you can opt for one of the different bathing establishments present.

You can also get to Marina del Cantone by bus, starting from Sorrento, Massa or Sant’Agata sui due golfi.

Spiagge per famiglie a Massa Lubrense

Marina di Puolo

The seaside village of Puolo is located halfway between Sorrento and Massa Lubrense and marks the beginning of the Lubrense coast.

Also here we find a pebble beach with several bathing establishments and in addition a free beach with volcanic sand, known as “spiaggia del fico”. Also in Puolo you can rent pedal boats and canoes.

Marina di Puolo is in many ways similar to Marina del Cantone, but is distinguished by the striking view of Vesuvius.

Buses do not reach the beach, but there is a stop on Via Capo at the beginning of the descent to Marina di Puolo. The stretch to walk is about 800 meters, quite tiring uphill.

Spiagge per famiglie a Massa Lubrense

Both beaches are perfect for both children and adults, thanks to the presence of bars and restaurants where you can taste the delicacies of local cuisine, especially the sea food.

The beauty of these family beaches means that the crowding is very high in July and August and on summer weekends. If possible, we recommend visiting them at the beginning of the week or in June and September, when they are definitely less crowded.


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Activities for children in Massa Lubrense

Category:Blog,Culture,Excursions Tags : 

Massa Lubrense is a territory with tourist attractions for visitors of all ages and certainly there is no shortage of activities for children. These are mainly experiences that take place in close contact with nature, starting from the sea to the guided walks.

Here are 5 experiences for your children in Massa Lubrense

Playgrounds

A green space and many games are a great solution to spend some time relaxing and having fun with family. The playground is definitely one of the favorite places for children of all ages. The municipality of Massa Lubrense guarantees several green oasis. Children can play there, have fun and make new acquaintances. The parks are open in the morning and afternoon, with evening lighting.

Farms

Massa Lubrense has several farms that allow guided tours suitable for children. It is a unique experience in which they can pet the newborn calves, taste milk and other typical products of the farm, play with the animals and feel welcomed and pampered by a family atmosphere.

Beaches

For children the beach is always a fun idea that immediately turns on their enthusiasm. The most suitable beaches for families are in particular Marina di Puolo and Marina del Cantone. The comfortable beaches and the shallow sea will allow you to let your children play and enjoy the days at sea more quietly. In addition, unlike other beaches, these can both easily be reached by car.

Snorkeling

One of the most attractive activities for children is definitely snorkeling. The sea of Massa Lubrense, with its crystal clear waters and the colorful and populated depths of different species of fish, will make them live an unforgettable adventure. Obviously, the presence of a parent or the help of specialized tutors is recommended. If you are passionate about the underwater world, accompanying them will be a unique experience for you adults.

Merende Itineranti

The Merende Itineranti are walks for children organized every year by the Pro Loco Massa Lubrens. It is an alternative activity to make sure that even children can discover the natural and historical wealth of Massa Lubrense. Our guides are able to stimulate children’s curiosity, involving them with anecdotes and fun activities. At the end of the walk is offered an organic snack, created for them only with local products.


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Spring walks in Massa Lubrense 2023

Category:Blog,Events,Excursions,Places,Pro Loco Tags : 

For this spring, the Pro Loco Massa Lubrense is offering four guided tours in some of the most fascinating places in the area.

Four Sundays between May and June to travel and discover Massa Lubrense: we do it on foot and with total respect for the places, to get to know them better and touch their essence. Paths and routes, sometimes even off the beaten track, are in fact real mines of treasures of history, traditions and nature.

Here is the program of the Spring Walks:

Sunday 14th May
Sirenuse trail
Departure: 9 am from the square of Sant’Agata sui due golfi
Duration: about 4 hours

The Sirenuse Trail is a scenic circular route that allows you to cross the southern slope of the Sorrento Peninsula enjoying enchanting views: from the Amalfi Coast to the Faraglioni of Capri.

Sunday 28th May
Ieranto Bay

Departure: 9:00 from the square of Nerano
Duration: about 4 hours

The Bay of Ieranto is a rocky inlet between Punta Campanella and Punta Penna. It is the pearl of the Punta Campanella Marine Protected Area and can only be reached on foot or by canoe.

Sunday 11th June
Punta Campanella

Departure: 9:00 from the square of Termini
Duration: about 4 hours

A pleasant excursion on foot is the only way to reach Punta Campanella, along a path of about an hour on the northern slope of the Promontorium Minervae, which separates the Gulf of Naples from the Gulf of Salerno.

Domenica 11 giugno
Crapolla Cove

Departure: 9:00 from the square of Sant’Agata sui due golfi
Duration: about 4 hours

The Crapolla Cove is one of the most evocative inlets on the coast of Massa Lubrense: in addition to being of great naturalistic interest, it preserves visible traces of a past rich in history.

INFO AND RESERVATIONS

Pro Loco Massa Lubrense
081 5339021 (every day 9:30-13:00)
+393510862663 (WhatsApp)
Suitable clothing is recommended. Participation under your own responsibility.

The cycle of Spring Walks is part of the Omaggio alla bellezza review, and is organized by the Pro Loco Massa Lubrense with the contribution of the Tourism and Events Department of the Municipality of Massa Lubrense.

The Spring Walks in Massa Lubrense programme

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The hidden beaches of Massa Lubrense

Category:Excursions,Places,Travel Tags : 

The Sorrento coast with its beautiful beaches and crystal clear seas is one of the most popular destinations for tourists in Italy. Some of these beaches, however, especially in the territory of Massa Lubrense, remain a jewel admired by few. These are isolated, poorly accessible or difficult to reach beaches that are able to give a dream experience. Let’s discover three of these secret and pristine beaches.

Fiordo di Crapolla

the hidden beaches of Massa Lubrense

Crapolla can be reached on foot from the hamlet of Torca, through a fascinating but challenging path where 700 stone steps lead to the beach. Every 50 steps there is a ceramic tile indicating the progressive numbering.

Along the path that leads to the inlet there is the small Chapel of Saint Peter, open to all visits, where every 29 June the faithful go on pilgrimage from Torca to celebrate Holy Mass. According to tradition, Saint Peter landed in Crapolla on his journey to Rome to Christianize the Sorrento Peninsula.

The small pebble beach is located in a narrow cove and is protected by a high cliff that keeps it in the shade for most of the day.

Baia di Ieranto

The Bay of Ieranto is located at the end of the Sorrento peninsula, just in front of the faraglioni of Capri. To reach it you start from Nerano, an ancient fishing village. The path is well signposted and starts near the village square. Its final part of the path consists of the “miners’ staircase”, used to reach the small beach overlooking Capri.

The route is quite tiring but the breathtaking view and the tranquility of the landscape, located in the middle of a protected area, repay the effort. During the hours of the day the beach is exposed to the sun without any shelter, so it is advisable to leave equipped. It is ideal for those who love to venture out and enjoy a day at sea, diving into one of the cleanest waters of the peninsula.

Cala di Mitigliano

Another of the hidden beaches of Massa Lubrense is the Cala di Mitigliano , a place of peace and calm characterized by its crystal clear waters. The beach, mainly in rock, is enclosed by high cliffs overlooking the sea. The path branches off from the one to Punta Campanella. It is a bit uncomfortable but not so strenuous, if faced with the right equipment.

The beach is sunny and the sound of waves hurling against the rock makes the atmosphere pleasant and relaxing.

Not only the beach but also the incredible view of the island of Capri are one of the reasons why everyone should visit the fantastic Cala di Mitigliano whose sea, when it is calm, gives the opportunity to snorkel and admire its underwater beauty. The landscape in which the cove is located and its path that runs through plants and shrubs typical of the Mediterranean maquis makes it one of the most beautiful beaches in the territory of Massa Lubrense together with the Bay of Ieranto.

Protected area of Punta Campanella

Among the municipalities to which the blue flag has been reconfirmed, the recognition of the FEE for 2022, there is Massa Lubrense, who got it for 15 consecutive years (2008-2022). This recognition is largely due to the hidden beaches of Massa Lubrense and the quality of their bathing waters. More generally, there is also talk of compliance with the criteria relating to sustainable land management, coastal belt maintenance and service efficiency.


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Marcialonga 2022

Marcialonga: the awaited event is back

Category:Events,Excursions,Featured,Festivals,Places Tags : 

On December 26, 2022, the 42nd edition of the Marcialonga will be held in Massa Lubrense.

The Marcialonga is an amateur free paced race through the streets of Massa Lubrense, discovering the most evocative corners of the area. It is an event organized by the parish community on the occasion of Christmas, which attracts hundreds of participants every year.

More then a competition, it is actually a pleasant walk through the hamlets and natural beauties of the place. For the residents, taking part in it is a way to spend cheerful time in company, in the spirit of the holidays.

The first edition was held on December 26, 1978, involving the entire town. From then on the Marcialonga became a real recurrence. In 2019, 2508 people of all ages took part in it, breaking all records. In 2020 and last year, due to the covid-19 pandemic, the event could not take place.

How to participate

Like every year, the event begins on St. Stephen day at 2 p.m. You can register on the same day from 9 a.m. until 10 minutes before the start at the stands in Piazza Vescovado (Vescovado Square), where the start is also scheduled. The rules of participation will be specified at the time of registration by handing over the regulations.

The route

Three refreshment points are included, two along the way and one at the end. It is possible to taste typical Christmas sweets, such as roccocò, panettone or fried zeppole prepared by the organizers, as well as the inevitable sausage sandwich.

From the square, the walk continues towards Via Roma, Via Rivo a Casa, via IV Novembre and via Nastro d’Oro, before reaching the crossroads for Santa Maria, the first refreshment point. The walk resumes along via Caselle, via Annunziata, arriving at the square of Santa Maria, where a second stop is planned. The longest part of the route then begins from via Padre Rocco, following the rotabile Massa Turro, deviating for via Mortella, crossing via Rachione, G. Marconi square and viale Filangieri. The event ends in Piazza Vescovado, where there will be one last refreshment, usually based on brioche and hot chocolate, served by the staff.

The first 100 drawn numbers will receive prizes offered by the local commercial activities. At the end of the walk, celebrations for young and old will continue.

As in the last edition, the event will be completely plastic free: respecting the environment only biodegradable disposable material will be used.

  • Marcialonga 2019
  • Marcialonga, i dolci natalizi, 2019
  • Marcialonga 2019
  • Marcialonga 2011
  • Marcialonga 2014, partenza
  • Marcialonga 2019
  • Marcialonga 2018

Every year many people work behind the scenes, with passion and dedication, to provide moments of joy and lightheartedness. Among the organizers there are those who make the desserts or other gastronomic delights, those who take care of setting up the stands or taking the registrations, but many more are the activities that make the event a success, which would be impossible without everyone’s cooperation!

Marcialonga on social media:


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Torre Punta Campanella Tower

The most instagrammable places in Massa Lubrense

Category:Blog,Excursions,Travel Tags : 

di Miriam Russo

Il territorio di Massa Lubrense è caratterizzato da località uniche e imperdibili. La varietà di queste ultime, infatti, lo rendono originale e unico nel suo genere. In questo articolo, proponiamo per voi solo alcuni dei luoghi più instagrammabili a Massa Lubrense a cui non poter assolutamente rinunciare.

“Cuore” di Baia di Ieranto

Il primo dei nostri luoghi più instagrammabili a Massa Lubrense è il “cuore” di Baia di Ieranto. Un posto che sembra avvolto nella magia e nella leggenda, di fatti secondo la storia sarebbe la zona in cui Ulisse, di ritorno verso Itaca, incontrò le Sirene. In questo posto incantato godrete delle acque cristalline e delle magnifiche spiagge che il territorio offre.

Faro di Punta Campanella

Situato nell’area marina protetta del promontorio di Punta Campanella, il faro crea senza dubbio uno scenario suggestivo e fatato. Un’atmosfera di fascinazione e mistero si profilerà davanti ai vostri occhi lasciandovi senza fiato. Imperdibile soprattutto di notte, quando il faro sembra illuminarsi insieme alle stelle.

Fiordo di Crapolla

Altro sorprendente luogo instagrammabile è il Fiordo di Crapolla. Si tratta di una delle insenature più particolari di Massa Lubrense e, oltre ad essere di grande interesse per il turismo balneare, è ricco di storia. La zona è facilmente raggiungibile anche a piedi partendo da Torca, permettendovi, così, di approfittare anche dei magnifici percorsi di trekking offerti dal posto.

https://www.instagram.com/p/COYSPhEMAAj/

Monte San Costanzo

È un monte a due cime, il più alto di Massa Lubrense, da cui è possibile avere una visuale a 360 gradi sul Golfo di Napoli e Salerno, fino alle isole di Ischia e Procida. Inoltre, sulla cima sinistra del monte, troverete anche la caratteristica chiesa bianca dedicata all’omonimo santo. Un luogo suggestivo da più punti di vista a cui consigliamo di non rinunciare.

Cala di Mitigliano

Ultimo e magico luogo instagrammabile di Massa Lubrense è la Cala di Mitigliano, un posto ideale per godere del mare cristallino e di un sensazionale panorama. La Cala di Mitigliano è, infatti, una baia che dà sull’isola di Ischia e su Punta Campanella. Inoltre, quando il mare è calmo e vi è bassa marea, si può accedere alla suggestiva grotta che renderà quest’esperienza ancor più speciale.

Scoprendo questi luoghi i vostri social saranno, senza dubbio, unici e voi soddisfatti di aver conosciuto e fatto esperienza di una piccola parte delle meraviglie di Massa Lubrense.


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Trekking: 10 tips for beginners

Category:Blog,Excursions,Pro Loco,Travel Tags : 

by Angela della Ventura

Interview with Michele Palomba

Trekking is certainly one of the best sports you can practice in Massa Lubrense. It is not uncommon to find people that, although wishing to take on trekking, always postpone it, because they do not know where to start. This is exactly why we interviewed an expert in this field, Michele Palomba, who gave us 10 useful tips to help you enjoy this wonderful activity.

1. Things you should always carry

Contrary to popular belief, there is no need to carry many things, which are often bulky. You just need a few essentials, which can easily be stowed in a small backpack, as walking with both hands free will help improve balance and tackle steep trails. The essentials are:

  • a water bottle or canteen;
  • some snacks;
  • sunglasses;
  • cap or hat to protect yourself from sun rays:
  • change of dry clothes, in case you get wet due to bad weather or need to change after sweating too much (socks are utterly important);
  • warm outfit;
  • raincoat;
  • headlamp, which is particularly useful in wintertime, as the sun sets early;
  • fully charged phone;
  • small first aid kit;
  • pair of trekking poles.

2. Things to include in your first aid kit

kit pronto soccorso

First of all, it is very important to always carry any type of prescribed drug with you; if you have allergies, always include antihistamines. Never give anyone the medications you have been prescribed, especially if that person has never taken that type of medication before. This is always good practice, but it is especially important when hiking.
In the actual first aid kit, which should be stored in an airtight bag, you should include a small number of things, which can still help you treat any minor injuries you may suffer while trekking:

  • plasters of different sizes used to treat abrasions;
  • antiseptic, which must explicitly be of the type that can be used on damaged skin;
  • gauzes and medical tape;
  • Tweezers, which can help you to pull out splinters from wounds;

You may of course include other types of medical devices, but you should only do so if you’re qualified enough to use them.

3. Suitable clothing

A simple but very useful advice is to dress with layered clothing using clothes that aren’t particularly warm or heavy when worn on their own, but, at the same time, when worn layered can give you comfort while trekking.
Starting from the innermost layer, depending on season, you should either wear a t-shirt or a thermal long-sleeved shirt; continuing on, fleece clothing can always be useful to protect both from wind and unexpected cold in the shaded areas. Always depending on season, another layer can consist of either a duvet in winter or an anorak during spring or summer, which you can easily put on or take off as needed.
Speaking of fabrics, it is best to avoid denim and plush fabric, because they take a lot of time to dry out in case you get wet when crossing a brook or due to unexpected rain. Breathable fabrics, on the other hand, are highly recommended, being fresh, durable, with quick drying properties. They are suitable for any type of sport.

4. Suitable shoes

Good shoes are essential for any type of hiking, even though many underestimate their importance.
It is crucial to always wear shoes that are suitable for this kind of activity, even when walking on seemingly easy trails, because shoes will always help you walk better.
New shoes may feel hard at first, but their hardness is intentional, as it helps sustaining your body while walking; sneakers or other common types of shoes, on the other hand, are too weak and do not provide good balance, even if they might feel more comfortable at first.
Hiking shoes also feature a sculpted sole, which allows for good grip on any type of terrain.
An useful advice, especially for beginners, is to use high boots, even if they might seem useless or overly expensive; these boots are specifically designed to protect the wearer against injury, as they sustain your ankle better than low boots do, by wrapping perfectly around it.

5. How to pick a path to suit your needs

There are several ways to pick a path that will suit your needs: you can either rely on printed guides or on guides available on the internet. You can also consider asking someone who is more experienced, such as a friend, a qualified guide or the local tourist office. One should avoid relying on websites where any user can upload tracks, since you won’t be able to judge trail conditions and the amount of experience needed to take a given path. Another tip would be not to follow the crowd, avoiding to pick a path only because, according to others, it is easier or just because many people pick it.

6. How to prepare

Hiking in Massa Lubrense

Taking a basic trekking course can be really useful to become familiar with technical terms, to learn how to judge properly the type of terrain you will walk on and its elevation gain; this will in turn allow you to pick a path that, whille offering great landscapes, will still match your physical abilities. This is crucial, as it will guarantee that an otherwise wonderful experience doesn’t turn into something unpleasant.
Speaking of physical preparation, beginners can take walks to train their body to cross steep terrain, but those who cannot exercise daily could simply start using the stairs instead of the lift anytime they can.

7. How to reliably check the weather forecast

Weather is an higly discussed topic and not an easy one to cover. The plethora of smartphone apps are a good way to get an overview of the situation. On the other hand, always keep in mind that in the open air, and especially in the mountains, weather can and will change suddenly and unexpectedely. On mountain peaks it is highly likely for individual thunderstorms to occur, and this is impossible to predict.
Trekking in the rain isn’t necessarily unpleasant, though, even if it might seem scary at first; with all the necessary precautions it can be an unique and suggestive experience.

8. How to trek with children

Hiking in contact with nature is great for children too. In this case, as can be expected, one should exercise caution, especially with lively and curious children. A good tip is to prefer spring or summer time, when weather will usually be mild, but you should also pick easy, well shaded trails to avoid fatigue, injuries or heat strokes. You can turn hiking into a game, where children will feel like they are little explorers. This will surely make them prone to repeat the experience and, hopefully,  teach them to love nature and hiking

9. Where to find adventure companions

Hikes organised by qualified guides are the best way to begin if you’re alone, since you’re sure to receive good tips on choosing equipment and on picking paths. Hikes organised by local tourist offices are also very useful to get acquainted with other people experienced in trekking. Tourist hikes are often designed to provide knowledge of the area, or sometimes to explore an area: because of this they are usually easy to undertake, but exciting nonetheless.

10. Tips about blogs or hiking webpages

Blog

Michele’s webpage, “hikeandseek“, will help you to fully immerse in the world of hiking. Following local webpages based on the area you want to go for a hike in will also help: this includes the website of the municipality and that of the local tourist office. One can often find webpages specific to a certain mountain range or area: these can be relied upon to get updated information about trail conditions. Rockslides and areas with high vegetation are also usually reported.

So, as we have seen, trekking is a sport for everyone, young and old, experts or beginners, enjoyable and, above all, healthy.

Are you ready to go for a hike with us along Massa Lubrense’s best trails?


Michele Palomba

Qualified hike guide and collaborato of Massa Lubrense tourist office