Will you be hiking Mount Vesuvius, Italy’s most dangerous and frightening volcano, for the first time and want to know the mistakes to avoid?
Well then you are in the right place!!! This active volcano, famous for the eruption that buried the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, offers a unique experience for all nature lovers. And for all those who want to admire up close the mountain that brought death and devastation to the Vesuvian towns.
Reaching the crater of Vesuvius is a thrilling experience. The fresh air, fumaroles (visible at certain times) and panoramic views create a unique atmosphere. It will be possible to walk along the crater rim while feeling the breath of the volcano.
But what are the mistakes that should not be made in order to carry out this excursion in the best possible way?
- Don’t leave without a ticket
- Avoid unsuitable shoes
- Don’t settle for just a hike
- Avoid not bringing your camera
- Do not leave without bringing water
1. Don’t leave without a ticket
ùFirst, do not leave without having made volcano entrance tickets. Vesuvius tickets can only be purchased online; there is no ticket office on site that allows purchase.
Buy your ticket in advance before you go up Vesuvius, or better yet, the day before (you may not even find tickets available at the end). In fact, as you go up you may have connection problems that could make it difficult to purchase. So don’t make the mistake of going up to the top of Vesuvius without tickets and then being forced to turn back because you couldn’t make the purchase.
However, the park allows purchase 30 days in advance or up to one hour before the entrance band.
Once tickets are purchased, be sure to respect the reservation time; Vesuvius Park allows a time tolerance of 40 minutes before and 100 minutes after. [e.g., those who select the 2 p.m. time when purchasing can enter from 1:20 p.m. to 3:40 p.m.]. Obviously taking into account entry times and the last closing time of the site.
2. Avoid unsuitable shoes
Another mistake not to make when hiking Mount Vesuvius is not to wear hiking or sneakers. The equipment is essential to make the hike as safe and trouble-free as possible.
The terrain on the volcano is friable and sloping in places, so in order to avoid falls or slips, it is essential to take the right precautions. So no to sandals, heeled shoes and flip-flops.
Better yet, equip yourself with a trekking pole that can facilitate the ascent in the steepest areas .
A hat on sunny days or a windbreaker jacket on windy days cannot be missed. So before you make your hike to Vesuvius check the weather forecast.
3. Don’t settle for just a hike
If you want to make your experience full, wonderful and worth remembering, then don’t settle for a simple hike.
The surrounding nature, the breathtaking views, give an unparalleled experience. Especially if you decide to experience an adventure totally different from the usual tour.
You may decide to admire the panoramic views of Mount Vesuvius while riding a horse. Or discover the marvelous history of Pompeii while simultaneously climbing to the summit of the volcano that destroyed it, and then stopping to taste the fine Lacryma Christi wine.
Or you can take a walk, in total safety, a few steps away from the crater at the first light of evening. A unique experience that will allow you to relax and admire from above the wonders of Pompeii and the Sorrento Coast illuminated with lights and colors.
4. Avoid not bringing your camera
You cannot hike Mount Vesuvius without a camera. Today cell phones take wonderful photos, but details and small details can only be photographed with a camera.
Details that can be captured both during the uphill hike and on the summit of Mount Vesuvius, which provides a spectacular view.
The breathtaking panorama, the beauty of the surrounding nature, the lava flows related to previous eruptions, and the fumaroles visible at certain times of the year are impossible not to photograph
5. Do not leave without bringing water
The hike even if short to climb the summit of Mount Vesuvius is always quite challenging and difficult, especially if it is done in summer during rather hot days.
So don’t make the mistake of not bringing a water bottle with you on the climb. There are refreshment areas on Vesuvius, but they may be crowded and you may lose valuable time, eventually deciding to give up without having purchased it. So start biased and purchase it in advance.
On Vesuvius, unfortunately, there is also a lack of public toilets at the moment, so go to the bathroom before making your visit to the crater. Otherwise you will find yourself forced to have to buy at a food court in order to use the restroom, although it happens very often that these are closed due to possible breakdowns.
