The most famous mountain in Campania is undoubtedly the active volcano Vesuvius, standing proud above the plain of Naples and responsible for the destruction of nearby Pompeii in AD79.
Less well known though are the two mountainous areas of the region - the inland Matese range of the southern/central Apennines, boasting the 2,070m high Monte Miletto, and the National Park of Cilento where mountains such as the 1,900m Monte Cervati meet the Gulf of Salerno, south of the more famous and expensive Amalfi coast.
Worlds away from the nearby sprawl of Naples, both Cilento and the Matese offer the visitor an experience of rural Italian mountain life unchanged by the tourist hordes found elsewhere. Expect to see picturesque villages clinging to the mountaintops in defiance of gravity, and terraced vineyards providing excellent local wines - all linked by winding roads that make for spectacular drives, and hidden paths and stairways perfect for exploring on foot.
The mountains of Campania make an ideal base for exploring the famous sights of the region such as Pompeii, Herculaneum and Amalfi, before returning to the quiet of the countryside for a peaceful evening away from the crowds.