A stage of great physical, scenic and spiritual intensity. Walking along the historic Sentiero dell'Avvocata, the route reaches the summit of the iconic mountain overlooking the sea and its panoramic sanctuary. From there, the descent is undertaken that leads to Maiori, an important centre of the Amalfi Coast situated at sea level and overlooking a wide stretch of coastline. The climb follows a well-trodden and popular mule track, a destination for excursions and pilgrimages, with a moderate gradient (steeper at first, then more gradual). The second part is characterised by a descent with very steep gradients concentrated over a short distance.
The route is demanding, not so much because of its length, but because of the overall effort required, especially when tackling the long descent from the Sanctuary of the Avvocata to Maiori (a 1200-metre drop in altitude over just over 4 km). It is advisable to wear comfortable shoes, dress in layers, and bring a hat and a change of clothes (socks, t-shirt). There are public drinking fountains along the route, so it is useful to bring a water bottle of at least 1L. If you intend to walk several consecutive stages of the trail, check the availability of accommodation along the route. It is recommended to download the route tracks onto your phone and install one of the main hiking apps (OSMand, Locus Map, Komoot, Strava) to follow the correct path.
ABBEY OF THE HOLY TRINITY
Frestola Water
Sambuca Waterfall (off the beaten track)
Ruins of S. Elia (off the beaten track)
Capodacqua Spring
Cappella Vecchia
Acquafredda Spring
Monte dell'Avvocata
Shrine of Madonna dell'Avvocata
Monks' Sauna
Castagno Water
Casa S. Maria (Belvedere)
Maiori
Lemon groves and terraces of the Amalfi Coast
Cathedral and Collegiate Church of Santa Maria a Mare (Deviation/alt. route)
Basilica of Santa Trofimena
Thoro-Plano Castle (off the beaten track)
