The trail to reach the top of Mount Vesuvius has a moderate-high difficulty. It is steep and quite uneven. There are no benches to sit nor there is any shade.
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The Hike Up to Vesuvius (The Gran Cono Trail)This section up until the volcano rim is the harder part of the hike. It's only 800m in distance, but you'll gain a little bit of elevation meaning that you'll definitely feel it in your legs!
We both strongly recommend doing Pompeii before Vesuvius for several reasons, but it is absolutely possible to do them the other way round; just follow these steps in reverse and keep a keen eye on timetables.
Could It Erupt Again? Yes! Mount Vesuvius is considered an active volcano that sits on top of an extremely deep layer of magma—154 miles into the earth. Geologists think the volcano is overdue for an eruption, so it is likely to happen and it won't be pretty.
Vesuvius can actually get quite cold the higher you get. So also check the weather and be prepared for both boiling heat and feeling cold in one day and take a jumper if there's any risk of cloud cover. If it's raining, they also often close the crater so check ahead there too.
The hiking trail around Mount Vesuvius crater – the Great Cono – is indicated on local maps as nature trail n. 5 “Il Gran Cono”. It's a 4 km (2.5 mi) loop hike that takes about 3 hours. In the past, it was possible to hike the entire perimeter of the crater.
The volcano erupted again in 1631, six times in the 18th century (including 1779 and 1794), eight times in the 19th century (notably in 1872), and in 1906, 1929 and 1944. There have been no eruptions since 1944, and none of the eruptions after AD 79 were as large or destructive as the Pompeian one.
In reality, it is a formation that includes two volcanoes: the Monte Somma (dormant) and the Vesuvius (Gran Cono). Since 1995, Vesuvius is a national park and you can walk up to its summit.
Then you are free to discover on own. It is possible to walk half the way around the lips of the volcano. You cannot walk all the way around. You do not need to have your private guide.
It is currently only possible to visit the crater with pre-booked tickets. With your ticket, you can then join a guided tour at the top of Mt. Vesuvius. Due to the poor internet signal on the volcano, it is advisable to buy the tickets before your visit.