Baia di Ieranto Nature Trail (FAI)

The Baia di Ieranto Nature Trail leads from the village of Nerano, in the comune of Massa Lubrense, Campania, Italy, to a protected bay on the southern coast of the Sorrentine Peninsula. The bay is a FAI (Fondo Ambiente Italiano) property and is reached only on foot. The trailhead is a small square in Nerano (80061 Massa Lubrense), with the path signed VIA IERANTO. From Sorrento, SITA Sud buses toward Marina del Cantone stop at Nerano village; times should be confirmed at sitasudtrasporti.it. Parking is very limited, with one small lot at the village entrance. Visits are managed by FAI, and booked guided tours operate in season.

The trail is 2.5 km (1.6 miles) each way and takes about 50 minutes in each direction, while guided visits last between one and three hours according to FAI pages. The altitude difference is about 250 m (about 820 ft), which keeps the walk within the easy to moderate range by distance, though the return is uphill. The surface is a mix of dirt path and rock, crossing olive terraces and Mediterranean scrub before dropping to a rocky shore. Exposure is mostly to sun, with little shade on the descent, and the route is not suitable for people with mobility difficulties.

The main landmarks are the olive terraces above Nerano, the scrub-covered slope, and the rocky bay itself, which faces Capri. Mooring and landing by private motor boats are forbidden in the bay, which helps preserve its character. The bay is the natural turn-around point, and hikers return by the same path. There are no services in the bay: no shops, drinking water or shelter, so water and food must be carried in. Swimsuits and water shoes are useful for the rocky shore, and FAI recommends hiking shoes, a hat and sunscreen.

For information, FAI Baia di Ieranto can be reached on tel +39 335 841 0253, and the Punta Campanella marine park on tel +39 081 808 9877. Canoe visits and snorkelling are also organised in season. Spring and early autumn give the most comfortable walking conditions.