As already mentioned above, there is also an alternative for stage 4 that does not require a bus ride at all. Stage 4 is therefore extended by about 3 hours and requires about 600 additional meters of ascent (+500 meters of descent). This variant is 18 km long and is suitable for sporty hikers who can do without a visit to Positano and would rather switch to a secluded panoramic hike above Positano after the often crowded Sentiero Degli Dei. Alternatively, an overnight stay halfway is also possible (e.g. in the Agriturismo La Ginestra, see Field report from Maren).
Until shortly before Montepertuso (see Waypoint 5) The long panoramic variant is identical to the "normal" stage 4, then the paths separate. The turnoff to the higher CAI-300 hiking trail is located approximately at the height of the center line of the Montepertuso football field: here a staircase branches off to the right, which initially leads to the "Rifugio Forestale" mountain hut (ascent approx. 400 meters in altitude), where we meet the CAI-300 again.
Then the route goes more or less flat for a few kilometres in a large arc around Positano. However, before the highest point of the hike, the "Monte Commune", there is another climb of about 200 metres in altitude.
Almost at the end of the hike, shortly before Colli S. Pietro - the destination of stage 4 - there is the possibility of a small detour to Monte Vico Alvano. From here on, the hike is identical to the return route of the Short hike to Monte Vico Alvano described here.
Facts about this variant
Altitude metres: 950 m ascent / 1350 m descent
Duration: 6:30h (without breaks)
See also Elevation profile in detail