MONTE DI MEZZO

A climb for experienced hikers carrying on the pointed median peak of the Tre Pizzi (1350 m). The effort is paid off by the geological botanical high value of the path and , above all, by the stunning views, of large part of Campania, you will enjoy from its summit

FROM PAIPO TO MONTE DI MEZZO

Path information

This is an harsh and ill-marked path, recommend only to those who have good climbing practice and first-class orienteering. From Paipo Casino continue to where the asphalt ends to turn into dirt road. After an initial slight ascent, you can climb along the stone path

that leads to Capo Muro “mushroom” rock.

From here turn left (north) and climb the southern edge of M.Catello (1393 m), following its slight westerly bend .

Before you reach the top, at an altitude of 1300 m, parting the path followed so far to turn left, bypass the spur that stretches towards South West (1331 m altitude, the one from which the landslide described in path 3 has fallen) and head North to an altitude of 1335 m to the saddle that separates the top of the M. Catello from the top of the M. di Mezzo.

Finally climb up the sharp, steep ridge. Return using the same pathway.

Values and points of interest

The significance of this trip lies mainly in its “sporty” appearance and in the satisfaction of being able to reach a peak with steep sides ridges fairly sharp with small rocky dividing walls, which sometimes require the use of the hands.

The layered sub-horizontal rocks and shoals on which we walk are the Early Cretaceous marine limestones, locally rich in fossils (bivalves species of the genus Requienia); toward the peaks it lined by small marbled levels. The steppe vegetation is reduced to patches and isolated trees that exploit the soil trapped in fissures and karst formations.

Interesting is the top view of the large landslide that collapsed a few years ago broke away from Mount Catello rock summit (SW side), and that gave rise to an avalanche of debris that is accumulated in the underlying Vallone Porto, fortunately without reaching

populated areas.

After pointing out that on such terrain the views can be admired only when standing still, we affirm that the stretch from Capo Muro (1200 m altitude) offers a wide view of Agerola,

1. Tre Calli and below the coastal escarpment between Vettica Maggiore and Positano.

From M. di Mezzo summit you admire, close up, the other peaks of the Tre Pizzi and, at a greater distance, the view of Naples, Vesuvius, the Plains of Pompeii, the Eastern Lattari

Mountains, the Gulf of Salerno and its surrounding mountains.