FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Hello and welcome! If you are here it’s hopefully because you are a member of the JFC Naples (NATO) International Club, Hiking Club! Thank you for joining us. I created this page as part of my personal/work website to help answer some frequently asked questions about the Hiking Club, to outline some of the rules and to provide information about local hikes so that you can return in the future on your own adventures.

For the Hiking Club to function properly we do require that members adhere to some rules, mainly for your own safety.

• You must be a member of the JFC International Club to join us on Hiking Club excursions. If you are not a member you can join for the cost of €20 per year, which includes your whole family. If you would like to know more about becoming a member or to pay for membership please email jfcnpic.membership@gmail.com

• Hiking is not without its risks and as such you will be required to sign a waiver before starting a hike. This is to ensure that you are aware of the hazards associated with hiking and that you confirm that you are fit, well and competent enough to hike that particular route. It also releases the International Club (and me personally) from any liability should you happen to injure yourself or fall ill while hiking.

• Hikes will be of varied distance, difficulty and altitude. It is up to you to decide whether you are fit enough to attend however with many of the hikes there will be ‘break points’ and shortcuts. I will always indicate what type of hike it is, using a colour-coded difficulty key. Green is easy and suitable for families/children, yellow is a moderate hike with some effort or scrambling required, while red is challenging and should be considered a route for experienced hikers.

• Dogs are not automatically invited on every hike so please speak to me before you attend if you would like to bring your dog. I love dogs! I have a dog myself and she cannot wait to meet you. But if we have 15 people attend a hike and 10 wish to bring their dogs, this may end in disaster. Plus, not all hikes are suitable for our four-legged friends. If you do wish to bring your dog, be mindful of his or her limits. If they have sensitive paws, the sharp pumice around Vesuvius may hurt them. Dogs respond differently to altitude and elevation, just like humans. Also please ensure you carry extra water and snacks and be prepared to pick up after your dog.

• The same rule applies for children. Campania is a mountainous region and the Italian attitude to trail maintenance is not what we would expect in say, France, the UK or USA. There are steep drops and exposed sections without barriers or warning notices on several of the hikes. I will always note if a hike is suitable for children, but do let me know when you book onto a hike so I can account for numbers.

• COVID-19 restrictions aside, we encourage car sharing where possible. Most of the hikes are at least 30 minutes’ drive from the JFC Naples Main Gate, which makes getting to hikes logistically challenging on occasion. You are welcome to car share from the Main Gate (parking inside the base is advised) or at the start of the hike if there is adequate parking.

• On every hike we practice the principles of LEAVE NO TRACE:

  • Plan ahead and prepare.

  • Travel on durable surfaces.

  • Dispose of waste properly.

  • Leave what you find.

  • Respect wildlife.

  • Be considerate of other visitors.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How long are the hikes?

The hikes vary in duration, distance and difficulty to accommodate all interests. Most of the hikes are between one hour and eight hours.

How do I know how difficult a hike is?

Each hike is marked to denote its difficulty: green means it is an easy hike that’s suitable for families. Yellow is a medium/moderate hiking with some effort required. Red is a challenging (but rewarding!) hike for experienced hikers.

What should I bring with me?

Please see the packing lists below.

How do I get to the hikes if I don’t have a car?

If you are able to get to JFC Naples then it is likely that you will be able to car share with someone. I always drive and am happy to take up to three additional people.

What language is spoken on the hikes?

English is the language spoken on the hikes however we encourage everyone from all NATO nations to attend and we will try to accommodate as best we can.

How can I find more hikes near Naples?

I list every hike on this part of my website so you can see exactly what to expect. You are free to use the information again if you wish to do the hike yourself in the future, or find a different hike. A new website will be coming shortly.

How do you plan routes?

I use a combination of GPS and heat maps from Suunto and Strava, local knowledge and good old fashioned map reading! If you wish to plan your own hikes I recommend starting with an app like All Trails, which is available in English.

PACKING LIST

Lots of people have asked what they should bring with them, so here are my recommendations. Please note that I will always carry a GPS, first aid kit and a mobile phone. I usually carry a Garmin In Reach.

• Waterproofs

• Warm layers (it gets cold at altitude!)

• Water

• In the summer: sunscreen, hat/cap, mosquito repellent, extra water

• In the winter: gloves, hat, extra warm layer

• Snacks

• If bringing dogs: extra water, collapsible bowl, lead, waste bags, snacks

• Cash for refuges or emergencies

• Fully charged phone

• Shoes with tread - not running trainers, Converse-type trainers, fashion trainers etc.