Is Valle delle Ferriere worth it?
Worth itUnderrated · +43Shady valley walk from Amalfi past ruined paper mills and ironworks to waterfalls and giant ferns
Worth it. 4.7 on Google; hikers love the shade and waterfalls, though it is gentler scenery than the coast views.
Hype33How famous and hyped it is
Reality76Evidence-based, votes take over as they come in
4.7 ★ Google · 727 reviews— hypegap votes · be one of the first
Been to Valle delle Ferriere? Was it worth it?
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Worth itEditorial verdict until 5 active travelers vote
A varied half-day hike straight from Amalfi with no transport faff.
Why Reality is 76
Lives up to its fame4/54.7 on Google; hikers love the shade and waterfalls, though it is gentler scenery than the coast views.
Value for money5/5Free trail and €5 at most for the reserve.
Can’t get it elsewhere4/5The coast's only lush, waterfall valley with paper-mill ruins.
Easy to do3/5Starts in Amalfi, but stairs, slippery bits and early reserve closing.
What people loved
Cool, shaded escape from Amalfi's crowds, pleasant even at midday in summerWaterfalls, medieval mill ruins and rare Woodwardia giant fernsNot technical; walkable without hiking boots for fit visitorsWhat wore them down
Lots of stairs out of AmalfiReserve section with the main waterfall closes mid-afternoonConfusing rules: small paid FAI area, permit-only upper reserveSlippery after rainParking & getting there
Driving is possibleFrom Amalfi you walk from town, so park once in Amalfi (Luna Rossa tunnel garage) or come by ferry. For the easy upper route, Pontone (Scala) has white-line free bays before the village and blue-line paid bays at €1.50/hour.
- Parcheggio e rental scooter Gorga Amalfi (upper Amalfi, near the trail)lot · about 20 min walk · ★ 3.9 (122)Price not publishedMap
- Parcheggio Luna Rossagarage · about 34 min walk · ★ 3.3 (1,444)Price not publishedMap
- Pontone trailhead: free white-line bays before the village, then blue-line bays at €1.50/hour viaggiapiccoli.com
- Anas ordinance 340/19: alternating-plate (odd/even) restrictions on the SS163 Amalfitana each year 1 April–30 September in set time bands stradeanas.it
Without a car: Ferry Positano–Amalfi (15–25 min) or SITA bus (40–50 min), then walk up Amalfi's main street to the trail
Driving rules in Positano
Avoid driving on the Amalfi Coast from spring to autumn: the SS163 is narrow and congested, plate restrictions apply on peak dates, and Positano's parking is private, expensive and full by mid-morning. Ferries and SITA buses are the better choice. A car only helps for out-of-season trips or trailheads such as Pontone or Agerola.
- Alternating number plates on the SS163 Amalfitana. Anas ordinance 340/19 restricts non-resident cars on the coast road by last plate digit (odd plates barred on odd dates, even on even dates) from 10:00 to 18:00 on designated dates. 2026 dates reported: 30 Mar–6 Apr and 24 Apr–2 May, with October weekends and holidays also listed by positano.com, and none from 1 November. It covers 14 municipalities, from Vietri sul Mare to Positano, including Amalfi, Ravello, Praiano, Furore and Conca dei Marini. Exempt (with documents): residents, guests with a confirmed coast booking, taxis and NCC, disabled-badge vehicles, workers and homeowners. Motorbikes are also exempt per positano.com. Check current dates with Anas or the Comune before driving. napolike.it
- Anas ordinance (legal basis). Permanent Anas ordinance 340/19 sets the alternating-plate restrictions on the SS163 each year from 1 April to 30 September, in set time bands. stradeanas.it
- Positano ZTL for large vehicles. Via Pasitea, Piazza dei Mulini and Via C. Colombo are a ZTL for vehicles with more than 5 seats (€5 per trip). Paying does not allow stopping or parking. positano.com
- Street parking is residents-only. Street parking in Positano and its hamlets (Montepertuso, Nocelle) is for residents. White-and-yellow lines are residents-only and the few blue-line meters are almost never free in summer. Visitors use private valet-style garages that charge by the full hour, with no verified operator price lists. positano.com
- Parking overview. positano.com's parking guide lists the private garages and blue-line spots along the coast; spaces fill early in summer. positano.com
Know before you go
See something out of date? Fix it right here.Booking: No booking for the trail; pay €5 at the FAI reserve gate
EntryTrail free; €5 for the small FAI-managed reserve section with the top waterfall (free under 12 and over 65)Source · Checked Oct 17, 2026
TrailFrom Amalfi on CAI 325 ('lower path'): about 3.2 km and ~300 m climb one way, ~2 h up; about 5 km return, 2.5–3 h. Easier alternative from Pontone (Scala) on CAI 323: ~4 km, 1.5 h, ~110 m climbSource · Checked Oct 17, 2026
DifficultyEasy to moderate: many stairs leaving Amalfi, then a shaded path; slippery near streams; no cliff exposureSource · Checked Oct 17, 2026
TrailheadWalk up from Amalfi's main street (Via Pietro Capuano/Via delle Cartiere) past the Paper Museum; Amalfi is reached from Positano by ferry or SITA busSource · Checked Oct 17, 2026
SeasonGood even in summer (about 80% shaded); bring a layer in spring/autumn; avoid the day after rainSource · Checked Oct 17, 2026
SafetyWet rocks near waterfalls are slippery; streams are not swimming areas; the upper state reserve beyond the FAI area needs prior Carabinieri Forestali authorization; reviewers report the reserve gate closing mid-afternoon (3:30 pm in April)Source · Checked Oct 17, 2026
Getting thereFrom Positano: ferry 15–25 min or SITA bus 40–50 min to Amalfi, then walk up from the DuomoSource · Checked Oct 17, 2026
In their words
“once you get on the trail, it is very pleasant under the trees and near the refreshing mountain river”
“Unfortunately we got here at 3.30pm in April and the warden was just shutting up.”
“The hike was a bit tiring in places, but honestly, the scenery made it 100% worth it.”
Tips from people who went
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Questions people ask
How long is the Valle delle Ferriere hike from Amalfi?
About 3.2 km one way with ~300 m climb, roughly 2 hours up; about 2.5–3 hours return.
Is there an entry fee?
The trail is free. The small FAI reserve section with the main waterfall costs €5 (free under 12 and over 65).
Is it suitable in summer?
Yes, about 80% of the route is shaded and humid.
Can you swim in the waterfalls?
No; the streams are not swimming areas and rocks are slippery.
Better fits, according to people who went
Sources
- ViaggiaPiccoli – Valle delle Ferriere trekking (routes, CAI numbers, fees)
- Bluekeys – Path of the Gods guide (Valle delle Ferriere as alternative)
- Reid's Italy – The Amalfi Coast by bus
- Google Maps – Valle delle Ferriere