"Colle Maddalena is a subsidiary peak of Monte Stella which was my main objective on the walk. I chose it because of the battle that raged here during WWII, the Germans having occupied this higher ground and the Allies deeming it necessary to capture. There were no visible traces of these events, however, and sadly no monuments to the men who lost their lives here. Perhaps the town of Ogliara had something, but I only stopped there briefly to buy water and sandwich. However the vestiges of a recent wild-fire on the lower parts of the hill, and evidence of lightning strikes on the upper parts, did provide something of a battlefield atmosphere. Getting on the mountain road from Ogliara proved challenging, and it was quite a tight squeeze to drive to the trailhead on the southeastern side of the hill. The road heads first east then north and ends rather abruptly after a cobbled section that continues for 1km after good asphalt (a water point is found along this road). It is quite precipitous there and I saw several rusted wrecks of cars that were strewn down the side. Two options present the walker, an asphalted path that takes a circuitous route and a small track that zigzags up mor..." — vygodski • Apr 9, 2026

"From the top of Colle Maddalena there is a short descent, ascent and then dip once more into a col. You pass some copses of silver birch and underneath a fair smattering of flowers, white an pinkish purple, with ten to twenty petals each, which I think were anemones. From here it is another 40m or so ascent through trees (some chestnut) to the top. Views of the bay were fairly restricted due to cloud but good views inland to the bigger hills to the north and east. I spent some time looking for any traces of the military presence during the war but found none. There is an abandoned antenna of some sort, and I also came across a rather large trap and cage, that I assume was for boar. Humans not, I hope. At any rate it was rudimentary would have only caught rather stupid ones. I ate my sandwich on the top then continued along the ridge, descending until the road became visible which I used to return to Colle Maddalena past a church of some 1000 years age. I remember reading that General Mark Clark himself came to this point. After ascending Maddalena once more I retraced my steps, naughtily cutting off a few of the switchbacks en route. " — vygodski • Apr 9, 2026

"Hiked Monte Vesuvio with Tom while we were on vacation in Italy. I bought an awesome thimble on the summit, but i never found it when we arrived back in the US :-( . This was an easy hike with a lot of tourists. " — Kim-Stilson • Jul 19, 2018

"While staying in Naples with the Mein Schiff 1I joined a Tour to the Crater of Mt.Vesuvio. After almost an Hour drive up the Mountain we started hiking on a well traveled path up to the Crater and halfway around. Its impressive to stay at the side of the Crater Rim and look inside the big Hole. Highly recommendable while staying in Naples. " — Nuernberger • Oct 15, 2013

"Took a tour through Viator with two other close friends. Got a bus ride to Vesuvio after visiting the Ruins of Pompeii. Hiked up to the top of the crater which was smoking just a little bit. Took pictures of the remarkable views that included Naples and the Island of Capri. Gift shopped items made from lava rock. When you hike up, they will hand you a stick, but learned not to use them cause they would charge so I gave mine back. Not sure how true that was." — MountainWatcher • Apr 16, 2013