How long is the hike and what is the group size?

The tour lasts about 3 hours and is limited to a maximum of 15 participants to keep the experience personal.

Is the route suitable for children?

Yes, children aged 6 and up may join but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Are there active volcanic hazards I should worry about?

You may notice fumarolic activity and sulfur smells; guides will keep the group away from unstable ground and hot vents.

What is included in the booking?

A Guida Ambientale Escursionistica is included; food, drinks and transport are not included.

Can I cancel or reschedule?

Cancellation is free up to 72 hours before the scheduled start; if the operator cancels for safety or weather, you receive a full refund.

Is the trail wheelchair accessible?

No, the route includes uneven slopes, loose volcanic material and steps—it's not suitable for wheelchairs.

Walk the Underworld: Monte Nuovo and Lago d'Averno Hike in the Campi Flegrei

Monte Nuovo and Lago d'Averno sit on the western rim of the Campi Flegrei, near Pozzuoli, Italy. This three-hour guided hike—La Discesa agli Inferi—threads fresh volcanic ground, active fumaroles, and a lake the Romans long believed marked an entrance to the underworld. Meeting at the Ingresso Oasi Naturalistica Montenuovo, a small band of no more than fifteen walkers follows trails that skirt vineyards, drop into the crater ring of Monte Nuovo and walk the shore of Lago d'Averno under olive groves and cork oaks. The trail’s contrast is immediate: Monte Nuovo rose only in 1538, the youngest volcanic cone in the Campi Flegrei, its loose scoria and ash still revealing fumarolic vents where sulfur-scented steam breathes through cracks. Geology here is readable in layers—pyroclastic deposits, tuff cliffs, and the perched basalt hummocks that shepherd rain into the lake basin. Lago d'Averno’s calm surface reflects steep caldera walls and, if you listen, the long history of human stories attached to this place. Ancient writers claimed the Sibyl of Cumae delivered prophecies here and that the lake marked the threshold of Hades; stone ruins and Roman-era pathways remain on quiet stretches. Your guide is a Guida Ambientale Escursionistica who blends natural history and local lore while keeping the pace friendly for families (minimum age 6). The walk covers vineyard terraces, a gentle crater rim descent, and a shoreline loop—the itinerary emphasizes accessible slopes though the route is not suitable for wheelchairs or travelers with serious mobility limits. Bring trekking shoes, comfortable layers, and at least one liter of water; food, drinks and transport are not included. What makes this tour stand out is the compact collision of active volcanic features, Mediterranean flora, and dense cultural imprint. Within a few kilometers you’ll feel the ground that reshaped the coastline in a single eruption, see endemic plants like rock rose and straggling Mediterranean scrub, and stand where Romans staged ritual and divination. Photography rewards wide-angle compositions of crater walls meeting glassy water and close macro shots of fumarole mineral deposits. Practical notes: arrive ten minutes early and leave a contact number for the guide. Minors must be accompanied by parents. Cancellation is free up to 72 hours before the scheduled start; adverse weather or safety cancellations receive full refunds. This short, vivid hike is ideal for adventurous travelers who want geology, myth and a brisk outdoor walk within easy reach of Naples. Book through the tour operator’s online booking link to confirm availability; guided groups run most days in fair weather, and the short duration makes this an easy half-day option from Pozzuoli or Naples for travelers wanting geological context without committing to a long trek. Expect brisk sea breezes and lingering sulfur tang.