Monte Finestra-Monte Sant'Angelo di Cava-Chiancolelle from Tramonti

Premise

This route was traveled on November 20, 2021, and all subsequent observations and considerations fully apply only to that day.

It is all on trails mapped on the hiking maps of the area, both the CAI maps of the Monti Lattari and those of the Amalfi Coast series of “cart&guide”.

The entire route is included in OpenStreetMap and derivatives.

Given all this basic documentation, just a bit of attention is enough and you won’t get lost even if you are going for the first time as in our case.

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From the starting point – somewhat variable depending on where the parking is located – in the hamlet of Ponte di Tramonti, head towards the Sentiero delle Tramontane / CAI 309 that leads up to the Foce di Tramonti.

From this saddle, join the Alta Via dei Monti Lattari and continue north towards Monte Finestra Sud.

There are many CAI signs guiding a short distance from the ridge line and easily overcoming the few small jumps and brief steep sections.

You then reach the summit marker of Monte Finestra Sud, continue a few meters in the same direction, then descend towards the left-west and cross diagonally to Forcella del Monte Finestra.

Here turn left just before the rocky spur opposite, and follow a short section of ledge-trail where there is some cable protection for a few meters.

It is exposed but the walking base always allows placing both feet completely with a good margin.

Then turn right with an increasingly steep climb on rocks and make a sort of hairpin bend to exit onto the final ridge of Monte Finestra Nord summit.

Here on the steep part you have to use your hands for balance but the holds are always broad and solid and the signs never leave doubt.

Now continue descending, always along the Alta Via dei Monti Lattari, initially northwest, arriving at Pietrapiana with its caves including that of Madonna della Pace.

A few meters later there is the junction with a first possible descent to Contrapone, and continue with the characteristic ups and downs until the trail intersection at Tuoro Sant’Angelo.

Here begins the final climb to Monte Sant’Angelo di Cava: in the first section the path on the ground is clearly visible, then a bit less so.

The ridge-slope is wide and presents no problems even if you deviate from the best track, but it’s better to follow it to tire less.

You thus arrive beneath the large summit antennas which prevent free movement around the area and reduce some of the possible panoramic views.

The best view is right from the arrival point from Tuoro Sant’Angelo, and then there is little left by circling the summit to the point where the small drivable road arrives.

Today's continuation involves descending the east-northeast ridge of CAI 312 down to almost another turn to Contrapone.

A few meters before beginning the descent south towards Contrapone, take a path north that connects (also in a steep descent) to CAI 316 where the path trace progressively improves and leads with a long stretch westward to the locality Le Chiancolelle and its parking area.

Now there is the last real climb of the day: about 130 meters of easy elevation gain on a small drivable road (with CAI signs), from which you exit at a left hairpin turn towards Tuoro Sant’Angelo continuing until the junction with the CAI 311 trail.

The first part of the CAI 311 descent is the only part of the day requiring real attention to avoid losing the trail: marks are present but the path is at times faint and quite twisted among the shrubs.

After about 180/190 meters of elevation loss, the trail enters the right forest and markedly improves with very evident signs on the trees.

Continuing, CAI 311 joins SP 2/b for about 170 linear meters, then leaves the asphalt of the busy provincial road to reconnect to another secondary paved road.

Following this latter paved road, you arrive at Campinola locality where you enter the Sentiero delle 13 Chiese route that leads to the closure of the loop back to the starting point.

This part of the Sentiero delle 13 Chiese is very varied, with stretches of small roads and a trail segment passing through vineyards and a small valley, with a couple of passages that seem private but where there are signs and the indication “Via Pubblica – Public Way”.