TOLOMEO 2021 - Itineraries through the Sorrentine woods

Here are two more itineraries which are part of the 2021 Tolomeo project:

Itinerary 14 - from Sorrento to Monticchio via Priora, Lamia and Acquara

Itinerary 15 - from Sorrento to Sant'Agata via Priora and Acquacarbone

Both of these are little-known and even less frequently walked, despite being historical municipal routes. In particular, until the construction of the Nastro Verde road in the middle of last century, Acquacarbone was the main and almost only connection between Priora and Sant'Agata . In July 2016, after decades of neglect and impracticability, it was restored.  On the other hand, the route through Lamia's "sévera" (forest, and in this case a chestnut wood) was and is more like a shortcut to  the ridge that descends steeply from the Deserto towards Montecorbo. From there you can then reach the central villages of the Massa Lubrense area, such as Acquara and Monticchio. 

Itinerary 14 is in all respects a novelty, be it a very pleasant one. From Via Acquacarbone you face a short, very steep stretch on asphalt and from there on you walk first through woods and then along the panoramic and practically flat road that leads first to Acquara and then up to Monticchio.

Itinerary 15 has more dirt tracks among the trees. In fact, after having crossed the chestnut wood of Acquacarbone, there are just a few metres of asphalt before another long dirt track through the trees of a mixed forest (Via Olivella). 

These 2 routes both start from Sorrento together with the 2 itineraries going to Massa Lubrense (previous blog, routes 13 and 23).  They leave route 13 after less than a kilometre and route 23 at the start of Montecorbo, continuing together as far as the intersection of Via Acquacarbone and Via Lamia, about 500m above Priora.

The signage of the Sorrento part of the itineraries is complete as far as Via Deserto and Via Olivella respectively. However, whilst for route 15 there are the same green signs to Sant'Agata from a couple of years back, for route 14 you will have to consult the map. That said, the remaining 2km are so simple, logical and linear that reaching Acquara and then Monticchio will certainly not be a problem. The signage for these stretches is work in progress.

It is worth pointing out that of the four Sorrento - Sant'Agata itineraries, the Acquacarbone route has the lowest average gradient (7.7% versus 8.4% for Li Schisani 16, 10.1% for Zatri 26 and 12.3% for Circumpiso 25).

 

14 Sorrento - Monticchio (approx.5.1 km) via Priora and Acquara
Porta di Massa (Piazza Veniero), Via Fuoro, trav.Capo, Via Capo, Via Capodimonte, Trav. Capodimonte, Via Priora, Trav. Priora, Nastro Verde, Via Acquacarbone, Via Lamia, Via Deserto, Via Colli Acquara, Via San Vito, Via San Nicola, Trav. San Nicola, Trav Titigliano, Rot. Turro Pastena, Via S. Sossio, Via Savero Caputo, Piazza S. Pietro (Monticchio)

15 Sorrento - Sant'Agata (approx.4.5 km) via Acquacarbone
Porta di Massa (Piazza Veniero), Via Fuoro, trav.Capo, Via Capo, Via Capodimonte, Trav. Capodimonte, Via Priora, Trav. Priora, Nastro Verde, Via Acquacarbone,Via Olivella, Corso Sant'Agata, Largo Padre Ludovico da Casoria (Sant'Agata)

TOLOMEO 2021 is a project developed by Giovanni Visetti, on behalf of Penisolaverde S.p.A. for the Municipality of Sorrento

The above text is liberally translated from Giovanni Visetti's Blog Discettazioni Erranti. Map and photo of tile also courtesy of Giovanni Visetti.

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TOLOMEO 2021 - Itineraries between Sorrento and Massa Lubrense

In my previous post, I wrote about a new project underway in the Sorrento area thanks to the three-way collaboration of Giovanni Visetti, the Sorrento Town Council and Penisola Verde. In this post and in the ones that will follow, I will describe some of the itineraries, liberally translated  from Visetti's blog Discettazioni Erranti.

Itinerary 13 - from Sorrento to Massa centre via Pantano and Vigliano

Itinerary 23 - from Sorrento to Massa centre via Montecorbo

Both these routes start from Piazza Veniero, in the immediate vicinity of where, many centuries ago, the Porta di Massa (gate to Massa) stood. The first part is in common, since as anyone familiar with the area will know, there is just one way westwards out of Sorrento, whether you are driving or on foot. They diverge at the 3rd bend of Via Capodimonte, once you have left the main road, with route 13 proceeding straight along the so called via 'e miezo, whilst 23 continues following the bends. There are also several short flights of steps, which may shorten the distance a little, but will limit the fantastic views over Sorrento and beyond that you will enjoy if you stick to the lane. 

The initial sections of itineraries 14 for Monticchio and 15 for Sant'Agata (both villages of Massa Lubrense) also coincide with route 13 before diverging shortly after Priora. There is a difference in length and elevation between today's two routes which could make you opt for one rather than the other. In fact 23 via Montecorbo is 400m shorter than 13, but it has a greater elevation of around 50m. If you wish to complete a loop, Giovanni suggests going to Massa via 13 and returning along 23. This is because you will be going downhill for the steepest parts of Via Priora and Via Capodimonte. 

The two routes had already been marked in the 2003 edition of Tolomeo, being part of the much longer Sant'Agnello to Termini walk. The signage in the Sorrento area is pretty well complete, with the tiles replaced where necessary and the markings refreshed. As you pass into the territory of Massa Lubrense, for the time being you can follow the original signs: red stripes for Montecorbo (ex 1a) and red dots for Vigliano (ex 1), until the new signage is complete also in this area. 

It is also important to point out that in the locality of Pantano, 1.9km from Sorrento, there is a secondary path going towards the valley which in 400m will bring you to Capo di Sorrento where it forks. The usual signs and tiles will guide you either to Punta del Capo (13a) with the Bagni di Regina Giovanna and the ruins of a Roman maritime villa (1st century AD) or to the fishing village and beach of Puolo (13b).

Details of the itineraries

13 Sorrento – Massa centre (13a Punta del Capo, 13b Puolo) (4,5 km approx)

Porta di Massa (Piazza Veniero), via Fuoro, trav. Capo, via Capo, via Capodimonte, trav. Capodimonte, via Pantano, Nastro Verde, via Pantano, (start of 13a), via Fontanella, via Vigliano, via del Generale, via Partenope, via San Montano, via Mulini-Sponda, via Mulini, rot. Massa-Turro, viale Filangieri, largo Vescovado (Massa centre)

13a via Pantano, via Capo (x 13b for Puolo), calata Punta del Capo (400+800m)

13b via Capo, calata di Puolo, via Marina di Puolo, Puolo (1.100m dal Capo)

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Many thanks to Giovanni for use of his blog, maps and photos.