Celario – Monte Cito – Crateca Trail

The route at a glance

This is a short, varied hike linking the upper part of Casamicciola Terme with the countryside of Fango, a village in Lacco Ameno. The meeting point given by hike organisers is the “Gradoni” (big steps) area near Piazza Maio; the walk crosses Celario, reaches the fumaroles of Monte Cito and descends to the Crateca area, as far as Fango.

According to the fact sheets for the hikes offered by the Amici del Maio, the route is about 3 km long, takes about 3 hours with stops and is graded T/E (tourist-hiking), with a maximum altitude of about 300 metres. The last stretch, towards Crateca, now largely coincides with a road open to traffic.

Stages and what to see

The Celario chestnut wood

The first part runs through the chestnut wood covering the hills above upper Casamicciola. Along the path run the “parracine”, Ischia's typical dry-stone walls built without mortar from blocks of green tuff, which support the terraces and let rainwater drain away.

The Monte Cito fumaroles

The heart of the hike is the Monte Cito fumarole field, where ground altered by hot fluids takes on white, purple and yellow hues. According to Italy's Civil Protection Department, the Monte Cito fumaroles are among the hottest on the island, with maximum temperatures close to 100 °C. A distinctive flora grows here, including the fumarole papyrus (Cyperus polystachyos), and the view opens out over the Gulf of Naples. Alunite, the stone from which alum was obtained, was also mined in this area.

Towards Crateca and Fango

The descent partly follows the old Via Crateca, which locals called the “via dei carri” (cart road): it was the route along which alunite was carried to the processing areas and then to the port of Casamicciola. Along the sides grow dog roses, valerian, broom, myrtle, heather and mastic; further down, vineyards appear. Fango is an old farming village, also linked to the gathering of the muds used in the island's spa treatments.

Before you set out: trail conditions

Before setting out, check with the Town Council of Casamicciola Terme or local guides on whether the trails above the town are passable, and always respect any access bans.

How to get there

Piazza Maio can be reached from the centre of Casamicciola by climbing from Piazza Bagni to the upper part of town. At the finish, walk down from Fango towards Lacco Ameno, where public buses along the coast road will take you back to Casamicciola.

Useful tips

• Wear hiking shoes and bring water: there are no drinking fountains along the route.
• Near the fumaroles the ground is hot and crumbly: stay on the path and hold children by the hand.
• The best seasons are spring and autumn.

Nearby

If you want a longer route, you can walk the Alum Trail, which leads from Fango back to Piazza Maio via Monte Cito and the Piazza della Pera or, if you are experienced, tackle the climb from the Maio towards Monte Epomeo.