Our ascent to the highest mountain on the island takes us away from the crowds of tourists along shady forest paths. Our ascent begins with a panoramic path that offers us a breathtaking view of Forio. We pass through a sea of rocks and past interesting rock formations to reach “Pietra dell'Acqua”. You will learn the secret behind the green rocks along the way and that the Epomeo is not a volcano. It is a clod of earth lifted by tectonic forces. The hiking trail finally leads us over a broad mountain ridge to the Epomeo. At its summit, 789m above sea level, we are rewarded with a wonderful 360° panoramic view. After our lunch break at around 1 p.m. in the summit restaurant, we descend for 30 minutes towards Fontana, where the transfer bus is waiting to take you back to the hotel.

This is also a good option in the height of summer, as it is much fresher in the mountains than on the beach! We walk through breezy heights and forests and are therefore not exposed to the blazing sun. Last but not least: wear well-fitting shoes, then walking is more relaxed and bring plenty of good humour and a light jacket.

INSIDER TIP: In the rustic summit restaurant, which was carved into the rock, you can enjoy the sunny panoramic terrace and the delicious specialities of the good chef Teresa: e.g. spaghetti “Epomeo” with garlic, spicy pepperoni, nutty pine nuts and mildly sweet raisins. Or, of course, the classic: bruschetta with our own Epomeo tomatoes and spicy basil from the summit herb garden!

GEOLOGIST'S TIP: Take a closer look at the tuff stones along the way! Can you recognise their green colour? The green Epomeo tuff is the typical rock of the island of Ischia. These are solidified volcanic ash deposits. The tuff owes its green colour to the iron-containing silicates in the rock, which were formed under the influence of seawater.