The Best Cycling Routes on the Amalfi Coast: Climbs, Curves and Views
A practical guide to the best cycling routes on the Amalfi Coast, with seaside switchbacks, demanding climbs and tips for riding them safely.
Written by the editorial team at Velunite
The Amalfi Coast is one of the most spectacular, and also one of the most demanding, stretches of road you can ride in Italy: curves perched above the sea, climbs winding up to hillside villages, and tourist traffic that needs careful handling, especially in the summer months.
The SS163: the quintessential scenic route
The SS163 Amalfitana, connecting Vietri sul Mare to Positano, is the area's most iconic route: narrow, winding, with constant gradient changes and views opening up at every bend. It's best ridden during the quietest hours (very early morning) and with real attention to overtaking, given the often limited space.
From Amalfi to Ravello: short but intense
The climb from Amalfi to Ravello is relatively short (about 6-7 km) but with gradients that get demanding, especially in the final kilometers. It's a great option for riders short on time who still want a quality workout, capped off with a postcard-worthy sea view at the top.
The Colle di San Pietro pass toward the Agro Nocerino
For riders wanting to escape coastal traffic, routes climbing inland toward passes like the Colle di San Pietro, heading toward the Agro Nocerino-Sarnese area, offer longer, steadier climbs with far less traffic and a much calmer feel than the coast.
When to go and how to move around
Spring (April-June) and fall (September-October) are the best periods: pleasant temperatures and less tourist traffic than peak summer. If you can, plan your harder rides for weekdays and start early in the morning, when the road is quieter and the low-angle light makes the scenery even more striking.
A place worth experiencing beyond the bike
The coast lends itself well to a long weekend combined with active recovery: a walk in the Lattari Mountains, a stop in one of the inland villages, or simply beach time in the afternoon after a morning of climbing. It's also a region well known to many bike hotels and local tour operators, with cyclist-focused services (rental, support, overnight packages).
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