Ponza has an area of 7.5 km² and is almost completely hilly: dominated in the center by the mountains Core (201 m), Tre Venti (177 m) and Pagliaro (177 m), it reaches its maximum altitude with the 280 m of Monte Guardia , located at the southern end of the island. The shape of the island is narrow and elongated, and extends from the Faraglione La Guardia, in the south, to the Punta dell'Incenso, in the north-east, which overlooks the nearby island of Gavi, separated from Ponza by an arm of the sea of just 120 meters.
From the port to the Parata
This itinerary starts from the port, under the clock and continues to Piazza Pisacane. Under the nine arches of the town hall is the island's main meeting point, day and night, summer and winter. Two marble plaques are affixed to these arches, one dedicated to Luigi Verneau, hanged in 1799 for having raised the "tree of freedom" together with other republicans who came from Naples, and the other to the rioters who in May 1848 participated in the Neapolitan uprisings.
From the port to Chiaia di Luna
Small fraction of the island. It takes a 15 minutes walk from the port to arrive at the beach of Chiaia di Luna. The port is the first destination of this walk. The current Bourbon construction was built on the remains of the ancient landing place of the Romans, who in 313 founded a colony there to control maritime communications between Lazio and Campania. The cannon carriage planted in the breakwater cliff belonged to an L.S.T. US landing craft sunk in February 1943 between Punta Papa and Le Forna.
From the port to Monte Guardia
This walk starts from the Grottone di Pascarella, a characteristic passage that opens between the ancient buildings of Corso Carlo Pisacane. Crossing the Grottone you arrive in via Corridor. Turning left, on the right side we find a small shrine dedicated to the Madonna of Pompeii, in Neapolitan Baroque; it dates back to when Charles III, in October 1734, granted the land of the island in emphyteusis to the colonists. Monte Guardia represents a panoramic point from which you can enjoy a splendid view of the whole island, up to the island of Palmarola and the lighthouse of Monte della Guardia and Punta Fieno. A path that wants to focus on Roman history, along the tombs and the remains of the civilization that was settled in this place: the necropolis of Bagno Vecchio.
From the port to Punta Fieno
It is one of the most beautiful walks on the island, first you go up to Monte Guardia and then, crossing cellars, paths and rows of vines, you go down to the Fieno / Hay, a wild and timeless place.
From the port to the Faro della Guardia and the Bagno Vecchio
Starting from the small square Gaetano Vitiello, climbing among the alleys and the colored houses that characterize the island, you arrive in Scotti where the path that leads to Monte Guardia begins: you turn left to reach Bagno Vecchio, while for the lighthouse you continue to arrive first at the church of the Madonna della Civita. Continue your walk along the Scarrupata - so called because of the landslide mass of boulders and stones that descend to the sea.
Giancos, Conti and Santa Maria
In order to connect the port with Giancos and Santa Maria, two tunnels were built in the Augustan period which still perform the road function today; continuing along the main road or through an internal road you reach the Conti, an area rich in Mediterranean scrub.
From the port to Frontone
On the Ponza-Le Forna provincial road, once in Tre Venti, at the crossroads, we must turn right and turn left along a dirt path and in some places very steep, reaching the Village of Frontone where a visit to the museum - ethnographic "Count Agostino" - is a must. From there it is possible to follow a path on the left that leads to the "Fortino di Frontone" while on the right there are the stairs that lead to the sea.
From the port to Monte Core
Traveling along the provincial road for about 3km, you will reach Campo Inglese and follow the flat path to the east that runs along the northern side of Mount Core; once you arrive at the top, a beautiful spectacle will appear before your eyes, on one side you will see the whole town of Le Forna and on the other the area of Frontone and the Port.
From the port to Monte Schiavone
Once in the locality of Le Forna, at the junction for Punta Papa, go up southwards along a path and walk along a terrace to the left and then climb to the ridge with a view of the Arco Naturale / Natural Arch. Returning to the point where you turned left, go right to the top of the mountain, then descend directly to the junction of Forte Papa, towards the top the path is invaded by scrub.
From the port to Punta Incenso
About 7 km from the port, you reach Cala Caparra, in the extreme north of the island, at which you will find the entrance to the path, which after a short climb of about ten minutes, leads to the Pianoro di Punta d'Incenso, one of the few flat areas of Ponza. From here the landscape offers breathtaking views of the cliffs that surround the coast, but it is once you reach the extreme north of the promontory, located 125 meters above sea level, that the panorama gives its best, opening on Gavi, Zannone and Cala Felce. Halfway through the route it is also possible to see the remains of a Cistercian monastery, probably built by Benedictine monks between 1100 and 1200. It is from this ancient convent that the town takes its name: "incenso / incense" derives from the term "cistercense / Cistercian".
Excursions
Excursions Ponza
No stay in Ponza is complete without a classic tour of the island, a tour of the island coasts to admire the colors of the sea, the small bays and the splendid caves.
Excursions Palmarola
Palmarola has been defined by Folco Quilici as one of the most beautiful islands in the world. The Palmarola tour departs from the port of Ponza every day.
Excursions Zannone
The little island Zannone is the only one of the islands of the Pontian Archipelago not of volcanic origin. Since 1979 it is part of the Circeo National Park.
