Are you an experienced hiker looking for a challenge along the Amalfi Coast? In the Tre Calli circuit you will find challenge and reward. Do you dare?
It is a circular route with spectacular views over the Amalfi Coast.
It goes very unnoticed compared to the famous Path of the Gods, so it receives fewer visitors. However, it is also much more demanding.
What do you say? Would you like to take an alternative route over the mountains overlooking the Amalfi Coast and enjoy an unforgettable sight for your eyes only?
Well, here are all the details:
Technical specifications
- Start/end: Roadside cross at via Paipo, Bomerano (see map at the bottom of the page).
- Length: 6.5km (on the information signs it says 2.5km, but 'ni de flores').
- Duration: 4 hours, including lunch stop.
- Difficulty: Medium/High.
The Tre Calli circuit, step by step
How to start the tour
The first thing you need to do is to get to via Paipo.
From the B&B A 2 passi dagli Dei, where we were staying, we took the route described in the map at the end of this entry, 9km in total:
- Continued by via Tommaso Mannini until you find the first sign for the Tre Calli trail.
- At this point, turn left onto via Pendola and continue until you see a stone staircase on your right, marked with another sign.
- Take the stairs, which cross via Pendola again, until you reach via Paipo.
- If you don't have the knees for stairs, you could continue along via Pendola, which crosses into via Paipo, a longer but less demanding route.
- Follow by via Paipo until you find a cross inserted in a rock on your right, next to a curve. You can't miss it, it is easy to see.
- And now, to climb the mountain like goats!
Ascent of Mount Tre Calli
This is the most difficult section of the track.
So, if your legs prevented you from going down the shortcut of steps, maybe it's a bad idea for you to continue with this trek.
Next destination:
The summit of Mount Tre Calli y one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the route.
Next to the cross on via Paipo, a trail begins marked by red dots and red/white/red flags that will accompany you throughout the entire route.
The path is rocky, very steep and uphill. On some occasions, the trees offer some shade, which is greatly appreciated on summer days.
Courage, slowly and with good handwriting.
The rewards are worth it.
Walk to Capo Muro
When you get to the top of the Tre Calli mountain, you forget the heat you have experienced and the effort of saving almost 500m of elevation gain.
The Amalfi Coast unfolds before you: Positano, the Tyrrhenian Sea and Capri in the background.
And from here on, it's a piece of cake.
The red-dotted trail guides you along the mountain ledge in the direction of Mount Tre Pizzi, which dominates the landscape with its presence.
For almost the entire route you keep a good perspective of the Amalfi Coast. The tricky part will come later, when you have to select photographs 😉.
Somewhat later, you reach a huge rock with a view, signposted as Capo Muro.
From there you have two possibilities: continue to Tre Pizzi (only if you are very 'pro', when you see the mountain you will understand why I say so) or start the descent.
Back to top
A path just as rocky and steep as the initial ascent, but without any shade (so I advise against doing the circuit in the opposite direction), reaches a dirt road.
As you walk through it, you find wooded areas, views of the Amalfi Coast, half-built abandoned houses and felled logs waiting to be transported.
And, once again, the asphalt of the via Paipowhich closes the circle of the route at the point where you left the road: the cross.
Video
To give you an idea of what you will find on the Tre Calli trail, here are the best shots of our experience:
Differences between Tre Calli and Path of the Gods
If you don't have time to visit both, here is a comparison table for you to decide which one is the most suitable for you:
|
Path of the Gods | Tre Calli Circuit | |
| Length | 8.3 km | 6.5 km |
| Duration | 4 h | 4 h |
| Difficulty | Low/Medium | Medium/High |
| Linear/Circular | Linear | Circular |
| Unevenness | 600 m (downhill) | 500 m (ascent + descent) |
| Start/End | Bomerano/Positano | Bomerano/Bomerano |
| Landscape | Amalfi Coast | Amalfi Coast |
| Influx of tourists | High | Download |
| Shadow | Scarce | Intermittent |
What to bring
- Mountain bootsif they are water resistant, the better.
- If you use them often, the hiking poles will be very useful during the first part of the route.
- Light clothing that dries easily.
- Rain jacket for the rain.
- Sun protection: sunscreen, sunglasses, hat.
- 5 liters of water per person per meal.
Where to stay
Bomerano is a perfect base for trekking enthusiasts who wish to discover several of the routes overlooking the Amalfi Coast that cross the Lattari Mountains, such as the Path of the Gods or the Tre Calli circuit.
Among the wide range of accommodations available, we chose the B&B A 2 passi dagli Dei.
It is a two-story house, where the ground floor has been renovated to become a B&B with 6 rooms.
The rooms are modern, comfortable and cozy, all of them with private bathrooms.
Breakfast is spectacular, with both sweet and savory items, including baked vegetables.
They have a free private garage, although it is small. Therefore, it is necessary to leave a copy of the car keys at reception, so that they can move your car if another guest tries to leave.
It is literally 2 steps away from the Path of the Gods and the Tre Calli circuit.
Maddalena, the owner, was always willing to offer us information about the various trekking routes starting from Bomerano, where to eat well for little money, etc. In addition, she allowed us to leave our car parked in her garage the night we spent in Positano after hiking the Dioses trail, without charging us any extra. Of course, we asked permission by email before arriving.
And all for only 60€ per night, 30€ per head.
In conclusion, if you are staying in Bomerano, I recommend you to stay in the B&B A 2 passi dagli Dei.
When to go
To enjoy the scenery,
Avoid rainy or cloudy days.
Other than that, you will only have to take into account the temperatures:
In summer, choose to get up early and walk the trail during the first hours of the day, which are much cooler.
If you climb the Lattari Mountains during the winter, choose a clear day, dress warmly and avoid nightfall up there.
The best time to visit the Amalfi Coast?
Spring, no doubt.
We were there the first week of June 2017. Although there were already tourists in the area, we came across only one group of hikers along the circuit.
We were quite hot during the ascent, as we hiked it in the middle of the day. We learned from the experience.
And you, did you know about the existence of the alternative Tre Calli circuit overlooking the Amalfi Coast? Or do you know of any other little-known trekking route? Tell me about it!
Do you need any clarification? Ask me in the comments, that's what they're there for.
The Amalfi Coast Guide in PDF
Would you like a PDF with all the information from this blog on how to plan a trip to the Amalfi Coast on your own?
Save it on your tablet or phone and refer to it whenever you need to.
- Choose when, where, and how.
- Adjust the budget to fit your budget.
- Live your own adventure.
Interested? Then click here and buy it for just €1.95.
Useful Links
- Hotels in Bomerano.
- Our lodging.
- Flight deal search engines:Trabber,eDreams,Momondo, andVueling.Â
- 5% discount on your IATI travel insurance.
On a trip to the Amalfi Coast? Then don't miss these other entries:
- A 7-Day Road Trip Along the Amalfi Coast.
- The Path of the Godsdescends to Positano from the heights.
- Positanoone of the most beautiful villages in Italy.
- Ravello and the villas with the best views on the Amalfi Coast.
- Amalfi (and Atrani) in 24 hours.