Astroni Crater: The Green Gateway to the Campi Flegrei
The Astroni Crater is an ancient volcanic crater formed about 3,700 years ago, now protected as a
State Nature Reserve and WWF Oasis.
A vast oasis of untouched nature just a few steps from the urban areas of Naples and Pozzuoli.
History and Legend
The origin of the name “Astroni” is uncertain: some link it to the myth of the Cyclops Steropes,
others to the Stironi (sorcerers) who performed magical rites here.
In the Middle Ages and during the Bourbon era, the crater became a Royal Hunting Reserve, populated with game and enriched with trails like the Bourbon Path and the Vaccheria, an ancient hunting lodge.
Vegetation Inversion
The height of the rims and the presence of three internal lakes create a cold and humid microclimate, generating the phenomenon of vegetation inversion:
- Mountain species (such as the pedunculate oak) grow at the bottom of the crater.
- The Mediterranean scrub, on the other hand, develops higher up.
The WWF Oasis and the Hike into the Volcano
Today, the site is managed by WWF Italy and is a refuge for a wealth of wildlife.
Access is via a trail with about 160 steps and an 80-meter elevation gain that descends into the extinct volcano.
The hike is not recommended for people with reduced mobility or heart conditions.
In case of bad weather or weather alerts, the Oasis remains closed.
Astroni Crater, WWF Oasis of the Campi Flegrei
Info and Costs
Full price: €6.00
Reduced (ages 6-14, over 65): €4.00
Free: children under 6, WWF members, and people with disabilities.
Opening Hours
Opening hours: Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays only.
Online booking: mandatory for access, even without a guide.
Check times and availability on the official WWF website.
How to Get There and Map
By car
- Naples Bypass (Tangenziale) – Agnano exit → follow signs for Agnano/Pianura → Via Agnano agli Astroni, 468 (main entrance).
- Please note: do not search for “Riserva Naturale Cratere degli Astroni” on your GPS; use the exact address instead.
