Mt.
Vesuvius is a not-to-be
missed stop on the grand tour of Pompeii. You want to make
certain, therefore, that you plan your trip to crater carefully.
Since Vesuvius can be shrouded by clouds, allow yourself some
flexibility in arranging your visit. I have climbed Vesuvius on a
very cloudy day (the last day of my trip); I have also climbed it
on a hot, sunny day when the vistas were breathtaking. When you
wake up one morning and realize that the day will be beautiful,
decide then to make the climb.
You can reach Vesuvius
by car, taxi, or bus:
car.Take the expressway (A3--Napoli to Salerno) to the
Ercolano exit. You will see signs for the Vesuvius National
Park. Follow the route markers to the marking lot. The road
twists and turns, but it is not particularly dangerous. Still, be aware of the tour buses on the road (especially those
coming down the road around hairpin turns).
taxi.
If you take to the Circumvesuviana to the Ercolano station,
you can hire a taxi from a lot directly outside the station.
For a fare of some €15-20 (don't be afraid to bargain,
especially if there are many taxis and business seems slow),
the driver will take you to the parking lot below the crater.
bus.
You can also catch a tour bus (Trasporti Vesuviani) from the
Ercolano train station or from Pompeii (near Pompeii Scavi
station and the cameo factory); the price is much more
reasonable. Since the buses run all day, you can return
whenever it is convenient. Beware that the Ercolano bus stop
is much less frequently used (and therefore can be skipped
without notice) especially in the off season. If you don't
want to miss seeing Vesuvius and have decided to take the bus,
I recommend taking it from Pompeii to be certain.
No matter how you arrive at the
parking lot, you still have a climb ahead of you. The path
leading to the top is wide and steep, but it is not a difficult
climb (except, perhaps, on a very hot day.
You should take water
and wear sturdy shoes. I have seen some women hike to
the top wearing high heels, however. In case of emergency, the
path is wide enough for a small vehicle to reach the top of the
crater.
Occasional benches are
provided for weary hikers.
When you arrive near
the summit, you must pay an admission fee to continue your climb to the
top (about €6.50 for adults). At the top, you
can walk along the rim (though not too close) to an area that
overlooks the ruins of Pompeii. Although Vesuvius is an active
volcano, it does not emit any smoke. However, it is constantly
monitored so that the millions of residents who live nearby could
be warned in the event of an eruption.
