Valle delle Ferriere (Scala side)
The walk into Valle delle Ferriere begins in Pontone, a hamlet at 225 metres surrounded by lemon trees, and descends into a valley that feels climatically elsewhere — cooler, damper, shaded by ferns whose leaves reach three metres long. The Rio Canneto stream runs the length of the gorge, passing beneath a large arched building before dropping into a series of waterfalls, the tallest around twenty metres.
For centuries this valley worked. Mills ground grain, then produced pasta, then made paper. Later, an ironworks processed raw iron shipped from Elba. Now the machinery is mostly silent, and the Scala side of the reserve carries that layered quiet — ruins, water, and subtropical vegetation in a place that once kept the Amalfi Coast supplied and employed.
💛 What travellers fall for
People who return tend to mention two things: buy your ticket for the high waterfall in cash at the Pontone information point before heading down, and start from Pontone rather than Amalfi if you want the descent to do the work. The fossilised moss wall — dripping continuously, growing slow calcium stalactites — is easy to walk past without stopping.
The story behind Valle delle Ferriere (Scala side)
Between the eleventh and twelfth centuries, the valley's mills were already producing pasta; they later shifted to paper. Several cartiere here turned out Charta Bambagina, Amalfi's celebrated rag paper. The most imposing survivor, the six-storey Cartiera Lucibelli, still stands, as does the Cartiera Milano with its machinery intact inside. Most of the mills were destroyed in the catastrophic flood of 1954.
The ironworks — the ferriera that gives the valley its name — dates to the early fourteenth century, identifiable by the small aqueduct built to direct water to the wheel. It ceased operating around the mid-eighteenth century. In July 1859, German naturalist Ernst Haeckel studied the valley in person. The Woodwardia fern he would have found there had already been documented in 1710 by the botanist Micheli. The nature reserve was formally established in 1972.
Good to know
Trail 323a starts at Piazza San Giovanni in Pontone, reachable by local bus from Amalfi, Ravello, and Scala. Entry to the reserve costs €5; waterfall access requires a separate cash-only ticket. The reserve closes in bad weather — check before going. Many stairs have no handrails.
The valley holds a subtropical microclimate, sheltered from cold winds by the Scala mountains and open to warm, humid air from the south. It is noticeably cooler and greener than the coast below, with abundant rainfall in certain months and shade for much of the trail. Summer is the most comfortable season for walking; spring brings the waterfalls at their fullest.
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What travellers say about Valle delle Ferriere (Scala side)
Unfortunately we got here at 3.30pm in April and the warden was just shutting up. So if coming specifically to get to the top waterfalls, make sure you leave early enough so you don’t experience the same. The whole walk up is amazing, so should you get to the top and this bit has closed, it won’t have ruined your day,
Awesome hike, not too long, not too short. Excellent restaurant on the way Up there but you need réservation
A paradise in this valley - very comfortable stay. The climb is worth it, plus the steps help you digest all the yummy food the area has to offer. Breakfast was such a treat, the attention to detail was incredible. Gino was so helpful and kind. It’s a calm place very close to the busy city center, it’s peaceful.
I had a great stay at this hotel. The staff were very friendly and welcoming, and they always made me feel comfortable. I really appreciated the complimentary breakfast, which was a very kind gesture. The hotel was very clean, and the service was excellent. Thank you for your hospitality and for making my stay enjoyable. I highly recommend this hotel.
We started the Valle delle Ferriere hike right after arriving in Amalfi and it was such a great way to kick things off. If you’re looking to get away from the busy town and enjoy some peace, nature, and amazing views, we totally recommend it. At one point we reached the Natura 2000 reserve, where there’s a small €5 entrance fee per person. After seeing some beautiful views, we continued toward Pontone and eventually made our way back to Amalfi. The hike was a bit tiring in places, but honestly, the scenery made it 100% worth it. A beautiful trail and a great adventure overall!
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