Mountains and volcanic craters

The Montagnone

At a glance

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 covered with vineyards, chestnut groves and holm oaks, and is reached on foot from the Bosco della Maddalena: the summit overlooks Ischia's port and Procida.

Where it is

The Montagnone (literally “big mountain”) is the hill that rises south of the port of Ischia, straddling the municipalities of Ischia, Casamicciola Terme and Barano d'Ischia. To the west it borders Monte Rotaro and the Cretaio: from Casamicciola you can reach it on foot through the Bosco della Maddalena, along the trails that pass the Fondo d'Oglio crater.

Volcanic history

For INGV's Vesuvius Observatory, the Montagnone-Maschiata complex is, together with the Rotaro, one of Ischia's youngest polygenetic volcanic centres. It grew through at least five eruptions, both explosive and effusive, along a north-south eruptive structure, with the vents gradually shifting northwards. In brief:

  • 6th–5th centuries BC: an early lava dome, the “primordial Montagnone”, which probably gave rise to the Quercia lava flow; of the dome, which later collapsed, only the northern flank remains.
  • Posta Lubrano pyroclastics: an explosive eruption that probably built a small tuff ring north-east of the Cretaio.
  • Cretaio pyroclastics, about 1,900 years ago: the most energetic eruption of the complex.
  • Bosco dei Conti pyroclastics, about 1,400 years ago.
  • Final phase: the Montagnone-Maschiata lava dome and the Fondo Ferraro lava flows, on the southern flank.

The hill's rounded shapes are therefore those of domes of viscous lava, partly collapsed, and of explosive deposits now covered by vegetation.

Landscape and vegetation

Today the Montagnone is a farmed hill: vineyards, chestnut groves and holm oak woods alternate with Mediterranean scrub, with pines, oaks, myrtle and fragrant broom along the paths. In autumn people gather mushrooms here, and in summer prickly pears abound.

The old chairlift and the view

On the summit stands the iron structure of an old chairlift, long disused, which once carried tourists up from the port area to admire the view. The view is the main reason for the climb: from the top you can see the port of Ischia with its circular shape, the island of Procida and the Campanian coast.

How to get there

  • From Casamicciola: on foot from the Bosco della Maddalena, along the Fondo d'Oglio and Montagnone trail.
  • From Ischia Porto: climb via Via Nuova dei Conti or Via Quercia towards Fiaiano, a village in Barano, from where you enter the Montagnone area.

Useful tips

The trails cross woods and farmland: stay on the paths, respect crops and fences, bring water and wear hiking shoes.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Montagnone a volcano?
Yes, it is a volcanic complex made up of lava domes and deposits from explosive eruptions. According to INGV, its activity began in the 6th–5th centuries BC and includes at least five eruptions.
How do you get to the Montagnone from Casamicciola?
On foot through the Bosco della Maddalena, along the trails that pass the Fondo d'Oglio crater. From the Ischia Porto side, you climb Via Quercia towards Fiaiano instead.
What is the iron structure on the summit?
It is what remains of an old chairlift, now disused, that carried visitors up from the port of Ischia to admire the view.

Also worth seeing

Sources and further reading

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