Hikes in Capaccio

Cilento Mountains: ascent to Monte Vesole from Piani di Vesole, descent to Valico di Vesole, access CAI trail 410 (northwest side of the Sentiero delle Dee di Roccia) to Matadduni and Monte Soprano, and descent towards the Castle of Frederick II with conclusion at the Sanctuary of Madonna del Granato.

A pleasant walk along the new promenade of Paestum, to watch the sunsets over the Gulf of Salerno and the island of Capri on the horizon.

A hiking trail following in the footsteps of the artist Jhon Strutt: from the wonderful Paestum along the sea to Agropoli, the gateway to Cilento, and the village of San Marco.

Tour 43 consists of two separate parts: the walking tours through the archaeological parks of Paestum and Elea/Velia.Greek colonists came from various parts of the Greek mainland and founded new cities on the Apennine Peninsula and in Sicily. They brought their gods and their superior culture with them, and some of their architectural masterpieces—such as the temples of Paestum—have survived for more than two millennia; in Elea/Velia, visitors can marvel at the foundations of a prosperous trading city, complete with an acropolis and city walls that were built over during the Middle Ages. Since 1998, both archaeological parks have been protected by UNESCO and invite visitors to take leisurely walks through the Mediterranean landscape.Paestum: Greek Splendor at the Mouth of the SelemGreek settlers from Sybaris, in present-day Calabria, founded a colony at the mouth of the Sele River around 650 B.C. to expand their sphere of influence along the Tyrrhenian Sea. The city, named in honor of the sea god Poseidon, quickly developed into a prosperous agricultural center. In 273 B.C., Poseidonia was conquered by the Romans and renamed Paestum. With the fall of the Roman Empire and the malaria epidemics ravaging the marshlands, the city lost its importance. In the early Middle Ages, a small Christian community used the Temple of Athena as a church. After the city was sacked by the Saracens in the 9th century, the settlement was abandoned; the remaining population moved to the adjacent mountainous region and founded Cappacio.Ancient Paestum fell into obscurity for centuries, overgrown by vegetation, and was not rediscovered by scholars until the mid-18th century. Soon, these monumental places of worship became landmarks of the Grand Tour. The three Doric temples, facing east, are imposing structures of considerable size, demonstrating self-confidence, wealth, and technical skill. The showpiece of the world-class museum is the world-famous “Diver.” > You’ll start the tour at Paestum Train Station 01 and walk along the road toward the sea to the nearby Porta Sirena. The ancient city is almost entirely surrounded by a ring of walls that stretches nearly 5 km and features four city gates. After 10 minutes, you’ll come to a cross street—the former Bourbon coastal road. It was built in the mid-18th century and ran right through the center of the ancient city and straight through the amphitheater; only the southern part of the city, with its famous temples, was subsequently excavated. If you turn left onto the street, you’ll reach the park entrance; on the right are Museum 02, several restaurants, and a paid parking lot.To the south of the archaeological park stands the temple built around 450 B.C.

​Capaccio is the medieval successor settlement of Paestum in the elevated valley basin between Monte Soprano and Monte Sottano. The cliffs of Monte Sottano drop vertically towards the coast, offering a magnificent 360° panorama from the karst ridge and summit.> You start the hike in Capaccio 01 at Piazza Tempone with the Belvedere view over the coastal plain and the temples of Paestum. Via Vittorio Emanuele leads you to the clock tower at Piazza Orologio. Walk another 100 meters on the street, then turn right at the fountain down the cobbled Via Fontana and follow the red-white marking (trail no. 459) to the left. It leads in a big arc through rural cultural landscape to a crossing road and then right on this to a radio mast 02.Here the ascent begins. First you go through a pasture fence and on a wide path through a forest area; afterward, the path becomes narrower and more karstic. In switchbacks with an increasingly wideview, you climb the slope loosely covered with scrub. Follow the markings carefully; the trail is not always wide and clear. In the pasture area, there are many hoofprints from cows and goats. The path briefly descends once, then you come to a crossroads. Here, turn right uphill; straight ahead, the spur path leads to another viewpoint, and you now ascend along the karst ridge to the summit of Monte Sottano 03.The panorama here is extensive – from the coast over Capaccio at the foot of Monte Soprano, Trentinara on the terrace, and the mountain ranges in the hinterland.After a long rest, you return the same way to Capaccio 01. You can dine there at the Ristorante Borgo Contea at Piazza Tempone.