What to bring to Vesuvius
Shoes, which are ninety percent of the problem
Mount Vesuvius isn’t a difficult mountain: it’s a mountain that punishes the wrong shoes. The lapilli are light, shifting gravel. On the way up, it gives way underfoot and forces you to push harder; on the way down, it acts like ball bearings. You need closed shoes with a treaded sole: a lightweight hiking model is perfect, a sturdy sneaker is enough. Lee, who went up with the transfer from Pompeii, put it best: no sandals, the little stones hurt on the way down.
If you only have low shoes, wear thick socks and lace them up tightly. The real nuisance isn’t slipping—it’s stopping every fifty metres to empty your shoe while the group moves on. You can find how long the walk really takes in how long the climb takes.
Water, sun, wind
Bring water, and bring more than you think. Carlos, who went up with the late afternoon option, explicitly recommends it even though there are a couple of kiosks at the top: they are small, they are high up, and it’s not always the right time to queue.
The sun on the cone is direct, and there are no trees. Wear a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen even on days that seem cool. Wind is the other constant: at the top, it almost always blows, and the temperature difference compared to the square comes as a surprise. A lightweight shell or a sweatshirt in your backpack solves the problem and takes up almost no space.
In the backpack: yes, in the backpack: no
What to bring
- Closed shoes with a treaded sole, already on your feet
- Water, one full water bottle per person
- Light windbreaker, even in summer
- Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
- A snack, if your tour doesn’t include one
What to avoid
- Sandals, flip-flops and canvas shoes with smooth soles
- Umbrella: useless in the wind
- Stroller, which on the lapilli doesn’t go anywhere
- Bulky luggage, with half an hour’s climb ahead
What changes with the season
In summer, your backpack is all water and sun. In winter, it’s all wind: an extra layer, light gloves, and the awareness that the trail may be closed. In the shoulder seasons, you go from a T-shirt to a sweatshirt in the same hour as you climb. The practical rule: dress in layers and keep the heaviest item in your backpack until you reach the rim, where you stop and cool down. We’ve written about which period to choose when to visit Vesuvius.
If you're climbing with children or with someone who struggles
Everything written above applies, multiplied. Small children must be carried in arms or a child carrier because a stroller on the lapilli is unusable, and those who walk slowly need a time buffer. The details are in Visiting Mount Vesuvius with children and in is it safe to climb.
The shoes you’re wearing when you book don’t matter. What matters are the ones you have in your suitcase. If you’re leaving for Naples and your suitcase only has sandals, that’s the moment to add a pair of closed shoes, not the day of the climb.
Climb from Pompeii without worries.
The round-trip transfer from Pompeii includes the ticket and leaves about an hour and a half free at the summit: of all the short options, it is the one that gives the most time on the mountain.
Frequently asked questions
What shoes do you need to climb Mount Vesuvius?
Closed shoes with a treaded sole. The ground is lapilli, loose volcanic gravel that slides on the descent: sandals and smooth soles are the most common cause of slips and discomfort.
Is there water at the top of Vesuvius?
Near the summit there are a couple of stalls selling water and souvenirs, but they are small. Better to climb with a water bottle already full.
Is special clothing needed in summer?
Sun protection is needed because there’s no shade on the cone, and a light windbreaker is useful too: at the top, the wind is almost always present. See when to go.
Can you climb with a pushchair?
No. The trail is not wheelchair-accessible nor can it be used with a stroller: alternatives are in Visiting Mount Vesuvius with children.