Vesuvius

prb007

Simple question...is it possible/feasible to cycle over Mount Vesuvius?
Anyone on here done it?
In the early stages of planning Pisa to Positano, and going via Pompeii/Sorrento and it seems a pity to ride past it, rather than over it!
Google maps shows a road up from the NW and a refuge just before the summit where one could, apparently descend to the SW... https://goo.gl/maps/z6LusrbxGL52 although the road looks a bit ropey!
Any advice appreciated...

davidof

That does look vaguely feasible, at least on an MTB, but it is a footpath on the SW side and steep looking plus there will be lots of tourists at certain times.

sheffsimon

prb007 wrote:

Simple question...is it possible/feasible to cycle over Mount Vesuvius?
Anyone on here done it?
In the early stages of planning Pisa to Positano, and going via Pompeii/Sorrento and it seems a pity to ride past it, rather than over it!
Google maps shows a road up from the NW and a refuge just before the summit where one could, apparently descend to the SW... https://goo.gl/maps/z6LusrbxGL52 although the road looks a bit ropey!
Any advice appreciated...

I've been up by car whilst on holiday. The bulk of it is a very nice climb on tarmac up to the car park, although the bottom bit seemed to be where most of Italy went littering. The last bit is a gravelly track, steep in parts but doable on an MTB. Not doable on a road bike.

When I went, there was a ratty old 4WD Fiat Panda with bald tyres ferrying the park rangers up and down the gravelly track.

Dunno about down the other side.

No shortage of tourist tat either, both at the car park, and at the top. Worth a trip though.

prb007

Cheers for the replies, guys...
Checked out tinterweb and it looks like descending South is a no-no, although access to the Tourist information centre looks fairly straightforward... https://goo.gl/maps/pNMpQinVTZJ2
So, realistically it looks to be an up'n'back climb and descent, and a hike to the rim.
http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/photos/ra ... apvesu.jpg