Mt. Faito to the Top of the Alta Via

Today we set off from our hotel in Mt. Faito to the highest point in the Ala Via, Mt. San Michele at 1444 meters.  As high as that sounds, we have been climbing for several days now and Mt. Faito is already pretty high, so our ascent today was around 600 m.  After reaching the summit, we then had to descend 950 meters to our Agriturismo in Santa Maria al Castello, a small village set in the hills just above Positano.
The hike up to Mt. San Michele took us through a variety of rocky ridges with spectacular views and shady forests with well worn paths.  The temperature reached the 90's today so we had packed liters of water and needed every drop of it again.  We slowly made our way to the summit reaching it just after noon, in time for a well-earned lunch and the most spectacular 360 views of the entire Amalfi Coast.
After lunch, we started the huge descent down towards Positano.  The path was tricky in spots with loose rocks and gravel.  We had a couple of minor spills along the way but nothing serious.  Mostly the steady downhill just gets monotonous.  The picturesque town of Positano, grew larger and larger throughout the day as we descended and finally around 4:00 we reached our destination in Santa Maria al Castello.
After a great dinner outside on the patio of our B&B watching the sunset over the Mediterranean, we all enjoyed a glass of wine on the terrace looking at the lights of Positano and the Amalfi Coast.  Last night we were looking straight down the Sorrento Peninsula from the top of Mt. Faito.  Tonight, we were looking at it from the southern side with a much different orientation.  It reminded us how far we hiked today to reach our destination.  We fell into bed relatively early tonight, ready to explore Positano tomorrow.  Enjoy the pic's below!


A last look at the Sorrento Peninsula and Capri in the distance as we set off from our hotel in Mt. Faito




A lot of ridge walking today along the cliffs




Cathy, heading towards the summit of San Michele


Don, ridge walking


More views along the ridges


Susan and Don posing on the cliffs, high above the Mediterranean.


Now they are just showing off!

The fragrance of the wild flowers all along the path today was amazing



Part of the walk through shady forests, a welcome reprieve from the sun


Heather on the cliffs high above the Sorrento peninsula








Reaching the Summit of San Michele (referred to here as Molare because the mountain itself looks like a giant tooth molar)


From the top of San Michele looking down at the church of San Michele that we climbed up to yesterday (and Naples again in the background)




Lunch Time.  Don went for sunblock attire today instead of applying sunscreen.



Pleasure boats (some massive yachts) playing off the coast of Positano as seen from our vantage point at the top of the Amalfi Coast on San Michele


Shelagh and Pete at the summit.




Beautiful Thistle everywhere (except when it pokes you in the legs)





Positano, as we descend.


Heather and Susan posing on the cliffs above Positano


Descending further and getting closer


Sunset from our dinner table tonight


Night falls over Positano


Enjoying the breeze and a last glass of wine on our terrace before turning in



GOODNIGHT EVERYONE!

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