The mountain range of the Lattari Mountains is an extension of theAntiappennino Campano extending into the Tyrrhenian Sea and forms the Sorrento Peninsula. They are a truly amazing naturalistic treasure, from where one can admire breathtaking views and boundless landscapes. The name of the mountain complex comes from the ancient Latin Lactarii and indicates the valuable product of goat and cow breeding that has been grazing in these areas for centuries: milk. Because of this, the area is considered to be the cradle of pasta filata cheeses and other high-quality typical products.

The complexity of the territory of the Lattari Mountains

Limestone in nature, the Lattari Mountains are a mountain complex that encompasses the entire Sorrento Peninsula and the Amalfi Coast.

To describe and understand the vastness of the territory of the Lattari Mountains, we need only think of its geographical conformation.

The highest point of the promontory is that of the complex of Mount Santangelo at three laces, formed by the three tops: Mount Catiello, Middle Mount and finally Mount St. Michael, also called Molar, which is distinguished by its height of 1444 meters. Also part of the mountain range are the lowest peaks in the Mount Faito, of the Mount Window and that of the Mount Advocate.

On Mount Faito is the famous cable car, designed to increase the tourist offer and active since the last century. This connects the downstream station with the upstream station and is located at a height of 1100 meters. The peak was similarly connected also in ancient times when the cableway used only for the transport of goods was in operation: through this connection it was possible to bring snow from the top of the mountain to the Massaquano, on the side of Vico Equense.

The high mountain profile then descends toward the sea: on the northern side it forms a plateau, while on the southern side it plunges precipitously into the Tyrrhenian Sea, forming the fascinating, rough outline of the Amalfi cliffs.

Nature among the paths of the Monti Lattari Regional Park

The Lattari Mountains are part of a vast protected natural area of about 160 square kilometers, the Monti Lattari Regional Park. Included within it are as many as twenty-seven municipalities in the Sorrento Peninsula and Amalfitana and its vast area stretching between the provinces of Naples and Salerno, can also rely on the beauty of historic centers and coastal and scenic areas. Prominent among these are those of Ravello, Vico Equense and Positano.

Included within the area are interesting natural places connected by trails and routes that are truly unmissable, such as the Path of the Gods which departs from Agerola and crosses the entire Sorrento and Amalfi Coasts arriving in Positano, the Ferriere Valley and the Valley of the Mills from the province of Salerno to Amalfi, through citrus groves and completely uninhabited areas where the waters of small waterfalls roar merrily. This environment similar to tropical climates is home to special specimens of dwarf fern, the Woodwardia radicans and the Spectacled Salamandrina, both protected species. There are many trails that can be walked including the path that connects Punta Campanella at Bay of Nerano with spectacular views of the two gulfs of Naples and Sorrento, or even the mountainous path that after a few minutes by cable car, leads from the summit of Mount Faito to Mount Molare.

Starting from the slopes upward, the vegetation first consists of typical Mediterranean shrubland specimens that are well adapted to the proximity of the sea and strong sun exposure, such as carob and wild olive. As one climbs and temperatures are cooler, the vegetation takes on the appearance of woodland environments. Here we find ash, downy oak and holm oak along with heather and strawberry tree but also chestnut, beech, ash, alder and hornbeam. Among these natural environments, however, we also find the influence of man who, resorting to terracing, has planted vineyards and citrus groves.

On the other hand, the park's fauna is characterized by the most varied species because alongside the common specimens, there are animals that are more difficult to encounter. Thus we find turtle doves, collared snakes, foxes, martens, geckos, lizards, hares and wild rabbits, alpine swifts and quail, buzzards, kestrels and peregrine falcons, badgers, imperial ravens and crickets.

Getting the best equipment to visit the Lattari Mountains

All the routes and trails that wind within the Monti Lattari Regional Park are fairly easy but not suitable for everyone. It is necessary to access them with the right equipment: in addition to a camera, telescopic pole if necessary, and a bag with food and water, we recommend wearing hiking or mountaineering boots, long pants, windbreaker, and choosing a fairly comfortable type of clothing.

The typical products of the Lattari Mountains

The verdant territories that today make up the Monti Lattari Regional Park have been known since ancient times, when in the third century B.C. the people of Piacenza used some areas taken from the forests, to raise livestock. Since then, the spectacular trails that crossed the mountains were also born, and today, replaced by the more comfortable paved roads, they remain tourist destinations and constitute an important natural heritage of Campania.

In more recent times, the crossbreeding of the many cattle breeds, such as the Brown and Podolica crossbreeds with the Jersey breed, have given rise to a new breed: theAgerolese. It is precisely from the milk of the latter that unique and high quality cheeses such as fiordilatte and burrino, caciocavallo, ricotta, provolone del Monaco and many other excellences are derived. 

Other products of relevance in this area are also the cured meats of Agerola: salami, pancetta, prosciutto, guanciale, flavored lard, sausage and capocollo. Also appreciated are baked goods such as tarallo and biscuit bread, both of which carry the brand name De.Co. which identifies its Municipal Denomination.

Finally, the riches of the land include the dark ecotype of pear Pennata and the Agerolese tomato, red, round, pinched, and petite that has a sweet flavor and rich flesh to enjoy raw or with which to make excellent sauces.

Provolone del Monaco PDO

The ancient production and processing of milk in the Lattari Mountains has resulted in the countless dairies that are present in the area today. This area can, in fact, be considered the cradle of pasta filata cheeses.

Among all the cheeses produced in the Lattari Mountains, of particular importance is the Provolone del Monaco PDO. This cheese has been produced since the 1700s when shepherding families in the Vomero, they had to move from this increasingly urbanizing area, moving to the verdant peaks of the Lattari Mountains. Here they produced a particular type of caciocavallo that they then sold in Naples. Unlike the traditional caciocavallo this one was made from a more cooked curd, it had to mature for longer and the shape is more rounded and without a head. The origin of the name that distinguishes this cheese comes from the heavy cape shepherds used to dress in, which made them likely resemble "monks." Since 2010 Provolone del Monaco has acquired Protected Designation of Origin certification at the European level.