Discover Casamicciola

Nature

Woods, craters and fumaroles: green, volcanic Ischia just steps from the sea.

The Maddalena Trail

A landscape born of volcanoes

From the sea to the woods in minutes

Casamicciola Terme is not just thermal waters and seafront. Behind the town, to the east, Monte Rotaro and the Montagnone are among the youngest volcanoes on the island of Ischia: according to the INGV’s Vesuvius Observatory, they formed within the last ten thousand years, in eruptions that built lava domes, craters and lava flows. Today they are covered by the Bosco della Maddalena, a large pine forest with holm oaks and Mediterranean scrub, planted largely between the 1930s and the 1950s.

To the west, above Piazza Maio, Monte Cito is home to one of the hottest fumarole fields on the island. The heat from the earth that feeds the fumaroles is the same heat that gives life to the thermal springs: here, nature and spas are two sides of the same landscape.

Places and routes

All of Casamicciola’s nature

Woods, trails, craters and fumaroles, sorted by type.

Woods and natural areas

Trails and hiking routes

Mountains and volcanic craters

Fumaroles and geothermal phenomena

Frequently asked questions

Before you set off

What is the most famous hike in Casamicciola?
The Maddalena Trail (Sentiero della Maddalena), which runs from Castiglione through the Bosco della Maddalena, Monte Rotaro and the Fondo d’Oglio crater to the Fiaiano pine forest. Guided walks give it as about 7–7.5 km and 3–4 hours.
Are Casamicciola’s volcanoes active?
The craters of Monte Rotaro and the Montagnone have been extinct for centuries and are covered in woodland, but Ischia is an active volcanic area, continuously monitored by the INGV’s Vesuvius Observatory. The alert level set by the Civil Protection Department is green.
When is the best time for walking?
Spring and autumn, when temperatures are mild. In summer it is best to set off early in the morning and carry plenty of water, as there are no drinking fountains along the trails.
What equipment do I need?
Hiking boots with a good tread, water, sun protection and layered clothing. Near the fumaroles, always stay on the paths.