From Pontone to Amalfi through the Valley of the Mills

From the Piazza S. Giovanni (the main square of Pontone) take via Noce and follow the main path. Ignore the steps on your right (the first leads to Minuta and the second to the Punta d’ Aglio) and about 100m ahead, just past an archway, you'll reach a flight of steps going down to Amalfi. 

During Christmas time locals set up an original nativity scene alongside the paths meeting at this junction. Continuing towards the inner part of the valley go down a few more steps before starting the gentle ascent to the saddle (309m), the highest point of this excursion. You will walk through lemon groves on narrow terraces and under grape-vines growing on bowers over the path. 

From there go down the recently paved limestone path; past the stream you'll walk mainly on the level until you reach a small stone cabin belonging to the acqueduct. Go past it and just a few meters uphill take the steps down to the left; a couple of hundred meters further on you'll reach the Ferriera (mill n° 13). Passing under the archway of the ancient acqueduct you'll get to the banks of the Canneto brook. Here you can choose go to Amalfi on the path descending straight on the left bank and passing several more ruined buildings or go up as far as the reserve. 

Before that you can also take a detour (a short loop) going up by the side of the river bed until you approach a small bridge. A little further upstream is the fenced off area of the Riserva Integrale (a conservation area). Don't cross the brook but turn right walking back along the millrace that used to convey the water to the mill and is now filled up with earth. By the archway (from where water used to fall with sufficient force to move the forge) leave the duct and walk back down some dilapidated steps.

The descent to Amalfi is very interesting for its ruined buildings (some paper mills, a limekiln, an old powerplant), for its views and (nearer to the town, where the path is paved) the characteristic lemon groves. The imposing buildings you can see across the lower part of the valley were also paper mills.

Departure:  Pontone (266mtrs.)
Arrival: Amalfi (5 mtrs.)
Excursion length: 2.15 h. approx. 
Total length of the itinerary: 5500mtrs
Difference of level: 411 mtrs. down; 150 mtrs. up 
Maximum height: 347 mtrs.
Best period: whole year 
Difficulty: easy
- Drinking fountains in the square San Giovanni in Pontone, in Amalfi and a few natural springs along the canneto.
- In the square San Giovanni in Pontone it is possible to buy food and beverages (Blue Bar or Atico Borgo Restaurant)