Since 1995, Vesuvius is a national park and you can walk up to its summit. The best known and tourist route to follow on Mount Vesuvius is that of the Gran Cono, which leads through a steep path to the mouth of the crater.

To walk up Mount Vesuvius in 2026, you first need to reach the "Quota 1000" parking area, located at an altitude of 1,000 meters. From there, you must proceed on foot along Route 5: Il Gran Cono, which is the official path to the crater. The hike is approximately 4 kilometers round-trip and takes about 20 to 30 minutes of steady uphill walking to reach the rim. The path is made of loose volcanic gravel and ash, so sturdy walking shoes are essential. Since 2020, entry is strictly regulated; you must purchase a timed-entry ticket online in advance, as there are no ticket booths at the top and mobile signal is unreliable on the mountain. Once at the summit, you can walk along the edge of the crater to see steam vents and panoramic views of the Bay of Naples. The ascent is considered "moderate" in difficulty due to the steep incline, but it is accessible to most people with a basic level of fitness.