HIKING TRAILS IN CAPRI

In Capri, you can go from chaos to absolute tranquility in just a few steps! In fact, there’s a route that starts at the Piazzetta, the island’s social hub, and takes you to explore a much quieter area: the Pizzolungo trail! Let’s start right at the Piazzetta: from here, you can take two typical narrow streets, Via Longano or Via Le Botteghe, and reach the small square at the Natural Arch via Via Matermania. Along the way, you’ll come across the restaurant “Le Grottelle”: if you continue, you’ll find a dirt road that leads you under the arch, while if you take the stairs before the restaurant, you can reach the Grotta di Matermania, a cave where, in ancient times, mystery rites dedicated to the god Mithras were celebrated. Alternatively, you can continue along the Via del Pizzolungo and stop at magnificent viewpoints until you reach the one at Punta Tragara: from here, you can admire the Faraglioni in all their glory! Be careful, though! Even though the trail is considered easy, it is about 3.5 km long and takes about two hours to complete. 

Although all the trails are steeped in a quiet and peaceful atmosphere, some are wilder than others: this is the case with the route connecting the watchtower to the Punta Carena Lighthouse. This trail winds through the countryside of Anacapri and is very popular with hikers: let’s see how to get there.  
To start, simply take a bus to Anacapri and get off at the “Cimitero” stop. Once there, take Via La Migliera, a true trail along which you can admire citrus groves and vineyards. After a walk of about 30 minutes, you’ll reach the Belvedere del Tuono (literally, the Thunder Viewpoint), one of the most fascinating viewpoints on the island! The name alone evokes the wildest nature and the cliffs that plunge steeply into the sea: it’s no coincidence that nearby there’s also one of the cliffs from which, until a few years ago, many chose to take their own lives (which is why you can also spot a cross and a small statue of the Virgin Mary nearby!) 
From the viewpoint, take the trail that will lead you to the Torre di Guardia in about 20 minutes—a medieval outpost dating back to 1475, situated right above Punta Carena. From here, take the stone staircase leading up to the lighthouse: you’ve reached the end of the route! Enjoy the view and, if you like, relax on the cliffs and maybe take a dip in the blue waters! 

Let’s move on to what is probably the trail with the most breathtaking views on Capri, as it winds along the wild, rocky coastline, dotted with headlands and bays: the Fortini Trail. It’s named after the forts you’ll encounter along the way, which once served as watchtowers for the island’s defense: Orrico, Pino, and Mesola. This trail can be started from either the Blue Grotto or the Punta Carena Lighthouse, both accessible by bus; it is well-marked and takes about three hours to complete, so be sure to come prepared with comfortable shoes and water bottles! The three forts are all situated on promontories overlooking the sea: they are truly full of charm, especially for history buffs!

Although it isn’t a true hiking trail, I can’t help but mention the fascinating and historic Phoenician Staircase here! The name comes from the mistaken belief that it was built by the Phoenicians, when in reality it is the work of the ancient Greeks. It is, in fact, a staircase of about 920 steps connecting the port of Marina Grande to Anacapri: can you believe that for millennia it was the only way to reach the upper part of the island?! The other roads, in fact, were not built until the mid-1800s: this, therefore, was also the only route for transporting goods and food to Anacapri, a task usually entrusted to the island’s women. Today, you can start the climb near Palazzo a Mare, about 400 meters from Marina Grande. The staircase is well-marked, and along the way you’ll come across a chapel dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua and another dedicated to Saint Michael. If you decide to hike up the Scala Fenicia, it will take you about an hour: I recommend taking as much time as you can, since you’ll definitely want to snap plenty of photos of the breathtaking views! 

In conclusion, all these hiking trails offer an authentic way to experience the island, far from the hustle and bustle of tourism. Walking along Capri’s trails will allow you to connect with a more intimate and peaceful dimension: you’ll find that every step reveals a new view, a scent, a detail… all aspects that capture the true essence of this extraordinary island.