Welcome to www.ischiatrekking.net a website for active nature  and  Ischia lovers

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The attention and the care for my Island, Ischia, had given me in the years to organize excursions trough the hidden trails of this, in that also a tourist can catch the old and original taste of the island hospitality.

Who am I? My name is Giovanna di Rosa, one of the Ischia leaders in the provision of mountaineering expeditions treks and tours.

As lovers of the luxuriant Ischia flora I have drawn up a series of very successful alternative excursions such as hill and mountain walks having either low or medium difficulty level;

Our treks visit the most authentic and remote areas of the island we frequently stop to admire the breathtaking view or identify a flower or a plant and we also encourage conversation with local people; moreover, excursions by fishing boats in search of ancient and even forgotten flavors and sensations are also available.

For further information please do not hesitate to get in touch with us calling on the number 0039 328 53 53 021  or send us an email:  info@ischiatrekking.net 

Walking tour Cretaio, Buceto Springs, Madonna di Buttavento Piedimonte, Buonopane, Nitrodi Springs

We’ll start from the road that goes from the Cretaio, near the hamlet of Fiaiano, an area rich in woody vegetation, such as chestnut groves and holm-oaks, which provide the ample shade necessary for the climb, moving on to the Buceto spring, one of the few drinking water springs in Ischia.
Ischia is rich in thermal waters, whereas drinking water is provided to the population thanks to the underwater aqueduct in Naples and Pozzuoli.
As I was saying, after drinking fresh water directly from the mountain, we’ll continue walking through the woods up to Piano di San Paolo and following the path to the south-west, through some thick fern vegetation, we’ll reach the statue of the Holy Mary on the hill, at a height of about 300m in Buttavento, where you’ll be amazed by the marvelous view of the Aragonese Castle, Ischia Ponte and the islands of Procida and Vivara, Capri, the Vesuvius and the entire Gulf of Naples.
This view will keep us company until we reach Buonopane, a small commune in Barano d'Ischia, which, as you can tell from its name, is famous for the ability of the locals to make excellent homemade bread;
Buonopane is, however, also famous for the “ndrezzata”, an ancient dance typical of Ischia, handed down from father to son, not to mention the "Nitrodi spring or Nitrodi", also known as the fountain of "youth", a natural spring the waters of which have therapeutic properties, that are particularly effective for the skin and the digestive system.
To sum up, we’ll visit the Nitrodi establishment together, have a shower in its miraculous waters and stock up on water to drink and use over the next few days, taking some for those who stayed home as well.
Lunch will consist of a “bruschetta”, salad and pasta in a charming restaurant near the spring and we’ll come back stronger in spirit and body after this wonderful day spent in each others’ company.

Don’t forget your bathing costume, an empty bottle to fill with the Nitrodi waters, and a good dose of high spirits. Trekking lasts from around 09.00 to 16.00, approx. a 3.5-hour walk The hike is approx. 9.50 Km About 300m uphill and 400m downhill

For further information please do not hesitate to get in touch with us calling on the number 0039 328 53 53 021  or send us an email:  info@ischiatrekking.net

Trekking to Piano Liguori, Campagnano

Definitely one of the most beautiful places in Ischia, Piano Liguori is a small mountain village, once inhabited by various peasant families, who only went down to the valley to sell products cultivated in their very fertile land; only a few families still live on the mountain today.
Most of the inhabitants moved to the centre of Ischia or elsewhere to find work. Of the few families who remained here, one particular family still upholds its peasant origins against all odds and that’s where I’ll be taking my group of "friends" ........

We’ll start from the Vatoliere area, near Maronti beach and take the tiny street that leads slightly downhill to the church of the Madonna di Montevergine, a charming little church in the area known as Schiappone, “Schiappe” referring, in the local dialect, to the terraced vineyards, ....the only way to cultivate the hilly land on the island of Ischia. It is almost certain that the people of Ischia learned this kind of land cultivation from the Greeks, the first colonizers of the island.

We’ll then walk through a chestnut grove, which will give us the shade we need, until we arrive at the foot of the mountain, where we’ll have a wonderful view of the sea. We’ll then go up the "Scarrupata", a natural fissure in the mountain, skirting its walls through various vineyards until we see Punta San Pancrazio. The latter is the patron saint of peasants and his feast is celebrated in May. At Piano Liguori, "Nannina" and her son, Giuseppe, will be waiting for us at the typical restaurant they run with the rest of their family, where the view spreads from Capri to the Sorrentine peninsula, from the Vesuvius to Procida.

As we enjoy the view from the restaurant terrace and savour the local specialities, we can get to know these people better, their traditions, their simple, happy way of life......after one or two glasses of fine local wine, we’ll go on through the vineyards towards Campagnano. It’s an easy walk, the path rich with vegetation, the sea on our right along with a view of the gulf of Naples and the Vesuvius.

On the way, a peasant might easily invite us to drink a good glass of his homemade wine, enchanting us with his own, personal version of "O sole mio"........we’ll then continue on our way through more vineyards, with a view of the Aragonese Castle in Ischia Ponte and we’ll reach the charming village of Campagnano where, unfortunately, our discovery of peasant life and its charming flavours will come to an end. If you feel up to it, we can continue walking for another 40 minutes through the hamlet of San Michele and on to the Bay of Cartaromana.

Here, a thermal spring flows directly into the sea, making the latter warmer and richer in minerals in some intermittent areas.
If the weather holds, we’ll have a restoring swim and end the day with a trip on a “gozzo”, a typical fishing boat, to Ischia Ponte, where we can have a closer look of the Aragonese Castle.

Trekking lasts from around 09.00 to 16.00, approx. a 4-hour walk
The hike is approx. 10 Km About 300m uphill and 300/400m downhill

For further information please do not hesitate to get in touch with us calling on the number 0039 328 53 53 021  or send us an email:  info@ischiatrekking.net

Walking tour of  Fondo d'Oglio, Cretaio, Fiaiano, Pilastri

We’ll start from Fondo d'Oglio, an ancient volcanic crater, walking in the shade of pine trees and holm-oaks, moving slightly uphill for about 25 minutes to the panoramic viewpoint, which provides a magnificent view of Porto d'Ischia and the islands of Vivara and Procida, the Vesuvius and the gulf of Naples.
Until May, cyclamen grows in the shadow of the pine trees, covering the grass and volcanic rocks in a blanket of shocking pink. Amongst them, it is easy to spot dog roses or “Venus’s navel”, known as "o cuppetiello" in local dialect. From September onwards, there are various species of mushrooms, even poisonous ones and the strawberry trees flower in October, the fruit they bear ripe for the picking.
On our way down, we’ll walk along the luxuriant crater of Fondo Ferraio towards the small village of Fiaiano, in the commune of Barano d'Ischia, catching an enchanting view of the eastern side of Ischia, Ischia Ponte, the Aragonese Castle and Campagnano.
The last volcanic eruption in Ischia took place in Fiaiano in 1301, precisely in the Arso crater. Ischia’s pine forest was planted on the volcanic rocks left by this eruption during the Bourbon dynasty.
Skirting the pine forest, we’ll leave the path behind us and return to so-called civilization. Another 30 minutes’ walk and we’ll have lunch at a typical restaurant in Porto di Ischia.

Trekking lasts from around 09.00 to 15.00, approx. a 2.5/3-hour walk
The hike is approx. 7 Km About 200m uphill and 100m downhill

For further information please do not hesitate to get in touch with us calling on the number 0039 328 53 53 021  or send us an email:  info@ischiatrekking.net

Trekking to the Epomeo, the highest peak of Ischia

The Epomeo, the highest mountain on the island of Ischia (789m), can be reached from all the communes of the island, through paths that vary in difficulty; the most popular one is from Fontana, a small hamlet of the commune of Serrara Fontana, along what is known as the military road, (Mount Epomeo was a watch point during the Second World War).
On this path, it takes about an hour to reach the peak. Fontana is in fact about 440m above sea-level. I usually advise anyone who is accompanied by a guide to take this road because it is the easiest and the only one with signs showing the way; if you take another road, it’s always best to go with a local guide.
Personally, I decide which road to take based on the season and the weather.
We’ll go up to Fiaiano, on a path rich in woody vegetation, such as chestnut groves and holm-oaks, which provide the ample shade necessary for the climb and along the path to the Radar Station; or we can go up from Serrara, through the Robinie forest or take the other path through a thick chestnut grove.
Any road we take, when we get to the top we’ll enjoy the same view of all the communes of the island as well as the gulf of Naples and the Pontine islands.
At the top is a small shelter used as a restaurant, where we’ll have an excellent “bruschetta” with tomatoes paired with some fine local wine.
Refreshed after lunch and time spent in good company, we’ll obviously walk down another path, so as to admire the island in all its splendor.

Trekking lasts from around 09.00 to 16.00, approx. a 4/5-hour walk
The hike is approx. 10 Km About 400m uphill and 400m downhill

For further information please do not hesitate to get in touch with us calling on the number 0039 328 53 53 021  or send us an email:  info@ischiatrekking.net

Procida island

Spread over 4 sq. km with about 13,000 inhabitants, Procida is a small, cosy island and one of the most charming in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Procida has provided the inspiration for works of art in Italian and foreign literature and films, such as “l'isola di Arturo”, the lovely book by Elsa Morante, "Graziella" by Lamartine or Massimo Troisi’s last film, “il Postino” (The Postman).

You’re sure to have caught a glimpse of this island during your journey from the mainland to Ischia, but we’ll discover its secrets thanks to a special, personalized excursion. We’ll leave by ship from Ischia Porto or Casamicciola Terme for Marina Grande di Procida, the island’s Main harbor.

From there, we’ll walk to the higher, ancient part called “Terra Murata”, where the ex-prison building is located. We’ll visit the Abby of San Michele Arcangelo and its Library, which contains over 1500 books, the Catacombs and the splendid terraces where we can enjoy a wonderful view on the Gulf of Naples. After that, a 10-minute walk will take us to a panoramic viewpoint where we can admire “la Corricella”, the characteristic fishing harbour, where people still manage to live in perfect harmony and in very little space.

When we reach the small harbour, we can observe the fishermen intent on repairing their boats and especially their nets, we can take a closer look at their small, coloured houses with their characteristic architecture and see how these people live.

We’ll stop for some refreshing lemonade, made strictly from Procida lemons!!! Lemon groves are typical here in Procida, although they are somewhat hard to find.....

Finally we’ll return to Marina Grande, the main harbour, for a hearty lunch based on local specialities and then, enlightened by all the things we’ve learnt about this sleepy Island, we’ll board the boat back to Ischia.

The excursion lasts from around 09.00 to 16.00, approx. a 2.5/3-hour walk
The hike is approx. 5 Km About 100m uphill and 100m downhill

For further information please do not hesitate to get in touch with us calling on the number 0039 328 53 53 021  or send us an email:  info@ischiatrekking.net