Tips for Hiking to the Natural Arch in Capri, Italy

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Tips for Hiking to the Natural Arch in Capri, Italy


The Natural Arch in Capri is without doubt one of the island’s most gorgeous pure sights, together with the Faraglioni Rocks and Blue Grotto. Here is what you want to know earlier than you go…

Most of the strolling round Capri is previous the attractive wares of the designer boutiques from the likes of Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, and Louis Vuitton. But on our journeys to Capri, Italy, we wish to get away from the vacationer throngs and see a few of the pure wonders of this attractive island.

Our favourite stroll is way prettier than even a stroll alongside Via Camerelle, and it’s distant from the luxurious motels and well-heeled vacationers to part of the island the place you’ll barely cross one other soul.

It appeared like such a hidden gem that I used to be nearly reluctant to share the main points, however I don’t wish to gatekeep. If you’re spending in the future in Capri, I might encourage you to squeeze in a hike to the Natural Arch.

What is the Natural Arch in Capri?

looking down at the water through the Natural Arch

The Natural Arch, or Arco Naturale, is situated on the japanese aspect of the island, not too removed from Villa Jovis on the coast of Capri. The Arco Naturale is a pure limestone arch that’s situated on the highest of a cliff and is eighteen meters (59 toes) excessive and 12 meters (39 toes) broad.

The Arch was fashioned by the erosion of a grotto ages in the past. The Arch is gorgeous to see and gives spectacular views of the ocean and the encompassing space and nicely well worth the effort to get there.

How do you get to the Natural Arch in Capri?

Cliff path in Capri

The Natural Arch is simply accessible by foot and you’ll attain the Arch from Capri Town. There are two methods to get there, and I’d suggest combining them to create a loop and a pleasant scenic stroll. However, except you want climbing UP a whole bunch of stairs, I’d strongly suggest you observe it in the identical path we did, beginning out on the Natural Arch.

Start off in Capri Town on the predominant piazzetta, and take Via le Botteghe to Via Croce, following indicators for Arco Naturale. From Via Croce you’ll stroll by a quiet residential space and keep proper onto Via Matermania.

From there it’s straightforward to observe the indicators and the trail previous a small restaurant Le Grottelle and up some stairs to the Natural Arch.

Natural Arch and cliff walk in Capri

The views from the Arch are simply spectacular. The overlook feels so near the arch it looks like you possibly can attain out and contact it. As you peer down on the aquamarine water crashing on the rocks beneath, you begin to really feel dizzy from the peak.

The solely downside to being so near the arch is which you could’t match it into the digicam body to seize it in a manner that gives the identical affect as seeing it in actual life.

Hiking to the Natural Arch in Capri is one of the prettiest hikes I've ever taken.
Hiking to the Natural Arch in Capri is one of the prettiest hikes I've ever taken.

After taking all the images that you really want, it’s time to take the scenic cliff path again to city and the Belvedere Tragara. From the arch, you must subsequent descend the 200 stairs to the Grotto di Matermania. Keep in thoughts that these steps might be fairly steep and a little bit slippery so you’ll want to put on sturdy sneakers and keep away from this route when you have hassle with stairs or restricted mobility.

Before our hike, I had learn a bit concerning the Grotto di Matermania and understood that it was a cave the place historical rituals had been carried out by the Romans to the goddess Cibele and it’s also thought that it’s related with the cult of the God Mithras.

Yet one way or the other once we arrived at our vacation spot, passing just one different hiker alongside the trail, we felt as if we had stumbled upon a secret cave that certainly should include a secret treasure. The cave has clearly been used for one thing particular as soon as upon a day and we had enjoyable exploring like junior archeologists impressed by Indiana Jones.

The cave is most often called the Grotta di Matermania although its is also known as the Grotta del Matrimonio or di Matrimonia. It is formed by a cavity roughly 30 meters long and 20 meters wide, with a median height of 10 meters. From the remains found within its interior it is not clear to which divinity the cave was dedicated in ancient times, although its use as a sacred place is certain. It is believed that the cult of the god Mitra might possibly have been practiced here, the associated rituals of which were almost always carried out in caves; or that of Cibele, goddess of nature, of animals and wild places.

The cave was fashioned from pure erosion and is roughly 27 meters lengthy, 18 meters broad, and 18 meters excessive. It feels a lot bigger in individual than it appears in photos.

Grotto Matermania

From the Grotto dei Matermania, proceed alongside the Pizzolungo path, climbing barely to absorb the wonderful views of the shoreline and the well-known Faraglioni rocks.

View of cliffs and boat in the water

The views all alongside the Pizzolungo Path are merely gorgeous and there are many alternatives to take photos alongside the best way. You will most likely encounter extra hikers or walkers on this stretch getting into the other way, however for some cause not all of them make all of it the best way to the Natural Arch.

Faraglioni rocks from the Pizzolungo path
A hike to the Natural Arch in Capri Italy includes views of the arch, the Faraglioni rocks and a stop at the Grotto di Matermania.

When you strategy the overlook on the Farglioni rocks, the trail turns into extra crowded with individuals strolling up from Via Tragara to see the rocks. It can also be increased at this level, with steep drop-offs, making it a little bit more durable for these with a concern of heights.

View of Marina Piccola from Punta Tragara
View of Marina Piccola from Punta Tragara

From there, it’s a straightforward stroll again down Via Tragara into city.

Via Tragara
Via Tragara

Tips for Hiking to the Natural Arch in Capri

If you get an opportunity to go to Capri, I’d extremely suggest you are taking this hike to the Natural Arch and observe the following tips:

  • Head out within the morning earlier than it will get too scorching and earlier than day trippers arrive on ferries and from cruise ship excursions
  • Plan on taking about two hours to finish your complete loop, particularly since you wish to go away time to take photos
  • Follow the route outlined above, beginning on the Natural Arch after which following the cliff path previous the Faraglioni Rocks to keep away from climbing lots of stairs
  • Bring alongside water for the stroll
  • Wear comfy sneakers for strolling up and down stairs and over filth paths
  • Don’t neglect to put on sunscreen!

VISITING THE AMALFI COAST? 

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Tips and Directions for hiking to the natural arch in Capri Italy (Arco Naturale)

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