# Nature > Behind its spas and sea, Casamicciola Terme holds the greenest, most volcanic side of Ischia: the Bosco della Maddalena woodland on Monte Rotaro, the Fondo d’Oglio crater, the Montagnone, the fumaroles of Monte Cito and a network of trails climbing from Castiglione and Piazza Maio to woods, craters and views over the Gulf. ## Nature Discover Casamicciola Woods, craters and fumaroles: green, volcanic Ischia just steps from the sea. [The Maddalena Trail](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/nature/maddalena-trail/) ## From the sea to the woods in minutes A landscape born of volcanoes Casamicciola Terme is not just thermal waters and seafront. Behind the town, to the east, [Monte Rotaro](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/nature/monte-rotaro/) and the [Montagnone](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/nature/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](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/nature/maddalena-wood-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](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/key-places/piazza-maio/), [Monte Cito](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/nature/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. - [Woods and nature areas](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/nature/maddalena-wood-bosco-della-maddalena/) — The Bosco della Maddalena and Il Cretaio: pine forests, holm oaks and Mediterranean scrub on Monte Rotaro. - [Trails and hiking](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/nature/maddalena-trail/) — From the Maddalena Trail to the Alum Trail: routes through craters, chestnut woods and panoramic views. - [Mountains and craters](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/nature/monte-rotaro/) — Monte Rotaro, Montagnone, Fondo d’Oglio and Monte Cito: Ischia’s youngest volcanoes. - [Fumaroles](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/nature/monte-cito-solfatara-fumaroles/) — Hot steam and colourful ground: the fumaroles of Monte Rotaro and the solfatara of Monte Cito. ## All of Casamicciola’s nature Places and routes Woods, trails, craters and fumaroles, sorted by type. ## Before you set off Frequently asked questions - 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. ### Woods and natural areas - [Bosco della Maddalena (Maddalena Wood)](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/nature/maddalena-wood-bosco-della-maddalena/): The Bosco della Maddalena (Maddalena Wood) is the large green area covering Monte Rotaro, between Casamicciola Terme, Ischia and Barano. Pine woods planted between the 1930s and 1950s and a natural… - [Bosco del Cretaio (Cretaio Wood)](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/nature/cretaio-wood-bosco-del-cretaio/): The Cretaio is the hilly, wooded area behind Casamicciola Terme, on the southern flank of Monte Rotaro, on the boundary with Barano. You can drive up via Via Cretaio and from here walk into the Bosco… ### Trails and hiking routes - [Maddalena Trail (Sentiero della Maddalena)](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/nature/maddalena-trail/): The Maddalena Trail is a hike of about 7 km that starts at Castiglione, in Casamicciola Terme, and ends at the Fiaiano pine wood, in Barano. It crosses the Bosco della Maddalena, Monte Rotaro, the… - [Trail from the Maio to Monte Epomeo](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/nature/trail-from-maio-to-monte-epomeo/): From Piazza Maio, in the heart of upper Casamicciola, one of the trails that climb towards Monte Epomeo, the summit of Ischia, sets off. It is a steep, demanding and little-used route, suited to… - [Fondo d'Oglio Crater and Montagnone Trail](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/nature/fondo-d-oglio-crater-montagnone-trail/): The Fondo d'Oglio and Montagnone trail leads into an extinct, wooded crater on Monte Rotaro and continues to the Montagnone hill, overlooking the port of Ischia. It is an easy half-day hike among… - [Celario – Monte Cito – Crateca Trail](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/nature/celario-monte-cito-crateca-trail/): The Celario – Monte Cito – Crateca trail starts at the Gradoni near Piazza Maio, in upper Casamicciola, and crosses the Celario chestnut wood and the Monte Cito fumarole field to the Crateca area… - [Alum Trail (Sentiero dell'Allume)](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/nature/alum-trail/): The Alum Trail links Fango in Lacco Ameno with Piazza Maio in Casamicciola Terme, following the old “via dei carri” (cart road) along which alunite was transported. It covers about 8.4 km, with 500… - [Piazza Bagni – Via Tommaso Morgera Walk](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/nature/piazza-bagni-via-tommaso-morgera-walk/): The walk from Piazza Bagni is a town stroll through the historic heart of Casamicciola Terme's spa tradition: it starts from the square of the old baths and the Gurgitello and links the town's… ### Mountains and volcanic craters - [Monte Rotaro](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/nature/monte-rotaro/): Monte Rotaro is one of the youngest volcanoes on the island of Ischia, east of the centre of Casamicciola Terme. Formed over the last ten thousand years by at least nine eruptions, it is now entirely… - [The Montagnone](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/nature/the-montagnone/): The Montagnone is a volcanic hill on the boundary between Casamicciola Terme, Ischia and Barano, formed by lava domes and explosive eruptions that began in the 6th–5th centuries BC. Today it is… - [Fondo d'Oglio Crater](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/nature/fondo-d-oglio-crater/): The Fondo d'Oglio crater is a volcanic hollow about 350 metres across and 127 metres deep on Monte Rotaro, in the Bosco della Maddalena, Casamicciola Terme. Created by Strombolian activity, it is now… - [Monte Cito](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/nature/monte-cito/): Monte Cito is a hill in the western part of Casamicciola Terme, on the boundary with Lacco Ameno, known for its fumarole field: here steam reaches temperatures close to 100 °C and colours the ground… ### Fumaroles and geothermal phenomena - [Monte Rotaro Fumaroles](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/nature/monte-rotaro-fumaroles/): The Monte Rotaro fumaroles are small emissions of hot steam that rise along the trails of the Bosco della Maddalena in Casamicciola Terme. They are a sign of the hydrothermal system still active… - [Monte Cito Solfatara and Fumaroles](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/nature/monte-cito-solfatara-fumaroles/): The Monte Cito solfatara is the hottest fumarole field in Casamicciola Terme: according to the Civil Protection Department, its emissions reach temperatures close to 100 °C. The acidic steam colours… ## Frequently asked questions ### 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.