Vesuvius National Park beyond the crater
The Parco Nazionale del Vesuvio protects the whole mountain, not just the summit. Most visitors know one route: trail 5, Il Gran Cono, the walk to the crater. It is only one part of the park, and it has its own ticket and time slot rules (see Vesuvius tickets and the crater hike).
The park runs other routes, and they work differently. The Valle dell'Inferno, the Hell Valley, is a separate route. A visit there is not an automatic entry to the Gran Cono crater. Not every park route is open at all times, and not every town gives free access to every path, so check the current state of the route before you plan around it.
Our pick: the national park on horseback
A one-hour ride in the park, combined with a guided tour of Pompeii.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Hikes and guided visits on Vesuvius
Guided hikes in the national park, crater tickets with transfer and day trips from Naples, with live prices and availability. Check each listing for what it includes, because a ticket, a transfer and a guide are different things.
Gran Cono, Hell Valley and Monte Somma
Mount Vesuvius and Monte Somma belong together. The two form the Somma-Vesuvius complex: the cone you climb on trail 5 and the ridge around it. Paths and access points are not interchangeable, so treat each one as its own trip.
The Gran Cono trail
This is the walk to the crater edge. Only a released section is open. It is not a loop around the whole rim, and you cannot go into the crater. The park's online shop sells the ticket for a chosen time slot. The adult price in 2026 is EUR 11.68, reduced EUR 9.55.
Hiking the Hell Valley from Ottaviano
The Valle dell'Inferno is a different kind of day. A guided hike starts in Ottaviano. The listing includes a hiking guide and rental poles. It does not include a visit to the main crater, and it does not include transport, so arrive on your own. It is the route to book if you want to walk in the park rather than queue for the summit.
| Route | What it is | Ticket and access |
|---|---|---|
| Gran Cono (trail 5) | Walk to the crater edge | Online ticket with time slot, EUR 11.68 adult in 2026 |
| Valle dell'Inferno | Guided hike from Ottaviano | Booked as its own tour, no crater visit, no transport |
| Monte Somma | Ridge around the cone | Paths and access points differ, check before you go |
For most people who want the crater, trail 5 is the answer. For a quieter walk through the park, the Hell Valley hike with a guide is the better choice.
Safety, closures and fire
The park can suspend access when weather orders require it. Possible reasons include wind, heavy rain or fire danger. A closure can come at short notice, so a booked ticket is not a guarantee for the day. Wear sturdy shoes, bring water, and expect sun, dust and wind on the slopes.
The Ente Parco Nazionale del Vesuvio manages the park. We are an independent guide and do not sell park tickets or speak for the park.
Horse riding on Vesuvius
One day tour combines a guided visit to the ruins at Pompeii with a horse ride in the national park. It is a ride inside a longer day, not a trek to the crater. Look for it among the tours above and read the includes before you book.
Walking in the park: what to plan
- Choose one route per trip and book that route's own ticket or guide.
- Allow for the climb, since the crater path is steep in places.
- Check the current status of the route on the day. The published hours are entry times, not free time to stay.
- Do not leave the marked paths.
Vesuvius National Park: frequently asked questions
Is the crater the only thing to see in the national park?
No. Trail 5 to the Gran Cono is the best known route, but the park also has the Valle dell'Inferno and the Monte Somma side, each with its own access rules.
Does a Hell Valley hike include the crater?
No. The Valle dell'Inferno is a separate route. A guided hike there does not include a visit to the main crater or transport.
Can I walk around the whole rim of the crater?
No. Only the released section of trail 5 is open. A full loop around the rim is not allowed, and a guide or transfer does not change that.
Are all park routes open all year?
Not always. Routes can close for weather orders or fire protection, and not every town offers free access to every path. Check the route before you go.
Who manages the national park?
The Ente Parco Nazionale del Vesuvio. It sells the Gran Cono tickets through its own online channel.