The Path of the Gods, Sentiero degli Dei in Italian, is a scenic path that runs along the cliffside of the Amalfi Coast. It starts in Bomerano and ends in Nocelle near Positano, although you can also walk all the way to Positano. The Path of the Gods offers truly spectacular views of the sheer cliffs and the blue sea below. Few visitors to the area miss this amazing hike, and the views are absolutely worth it. But like any hike, it’s vital to be prepared and know what to expect. Below is a complete guide to hiking the Path of the Gods.
If you’re planning a trip to the Amalfi Coast, be sure to check out my article on all you need to know before visiting the area.
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Main things to know
Key summary
Path name: Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods)
Path code: CAI 327
Bomerano to Nocelle
Distance: 5.7 km (3.5 miles)
Duration: about 2 hours of hiking
Difficulty: moderate
Bomerano to Positano
Distance: 9 km (5.6 miles)
Duration: about 3 hours of hiking
Difficulty: moderate/hard
Length and duration
The main Path of the Gods is 5.7 km (3.5 miles) in length. This is the route that starts from Bomerano (Agerola) and ends in Nocelle, a small village above Positano. The top map above shows this route.
The walk should take a couple of hours to complete. Allow for a few breaks to drink some water though, and to take plenty of pictures of the surrounding landscape.
Most people walk to Nocelle and then take the Linea Verde (Green Line) bus to Positano. The bus stop is in the small car park in Nocelle, which is the end point in the map above. It leaves about once every hour and you can purchase a ticket on board. Click here to see the timetable (in Italian). Bear in mind, though, that buses may not be on time.
You can walk all the way down to Positano from Nocelle, by walking down the staircases on the cliffs and then along the road. The distance from Nocelle to Positano is about 3 km (1.9 miles). This additional walk would add one more hour to the total hike, which would then take about 3 hours. The bottom map above shows this route.
Difficulty level
The Path of the Gods is generally regarded as moderate difficulty. It’s not excessively long, especially if you only walk to Nocelle, and the elevation change is moderate. There are some uphill stretches, but most of the hike is fairly level.
The main factor that makes it harder is the temperature. It can get very hot in the summer months, and most of the hike is under the sun. There are some forested stretches where you can catch a break from the sun, but it’s still important to be prepared for the heat and sun.
If you decide to walk all the way to Positano, you will have to walk downhill on steep stairs. This option definitely requires good physical fitness to complete. You should also be careful when walking down the stairs anywhere on the Amalfi Coast, as not all are well maintained.
If you want to hike the path both ways and go back to Bomerano, the length will be considerable at about 11 km (6.8). Therefore, good physical fitness would be required.
How to get there
The Path of the Gods starts in Bomerano, a village in the town of Agerola. The beginning of the path is clearly signposted and easy to locate. You need to go to the main square of the village (Piazza Paolo Capasso), and head through the corner of the square down Via Pennino.
After about 250m (nearly 820 feet), you will reach a bifurcation. For the Path of the Gods, you need to turn right. If you turn left, you will go down the Sentiero Pennino (Pennino Path) to the Santa Barbara caves (Grotte di Santa Barbara).
Below you’ll find directions to get to Bomerano. I wouldn’t recommend using a car, as parking is extremely limited and the roads in the Amalfi Coast can be daunting for outsiders. In general, it’s better to use public transport, taxis or organised tours.
By bus
You can get to Bomerano by bus with the 5080 line. With this bus, you can travel directly from Amalfi and Naples. If travelling from Naples, allow a couple of hours to arrive in Bomerano. From Amalfi, it should take about one hour.
If you’re travelling to Bomerano from other towns, you’d need to go to Amalfi first to take the 5080 bus. You can use the 5070 bus from Positano and Sorrento. And if you’re travelling directly from Salerno, take the 5120 bus or the ferry to Amalfi. Click here to view the bus timetables (in Italian) and here for the ferry timetables.
If you want more information on travelling around the area, visit my complete guide on the Amalfi Coast.
With organised tours
There are many organised tours available for the Path of the Gods. They generally include a guide that will take you through the scenic hike. Many of them also include transport to Bomerano and from the end of the path. Click here to find your perfect your, or see below a selection of the best rated experiences.
How to get back
If you’re not walking all the way back, you should get to Positano from Nocelle. As mentioned above, you can either walk all the way down, or take the bus from Nocelle.
Once in Positano, you can either take a taxi back to your accommodation, a bus or a ferry.
By bus
The 5070 bus passes through Positano and can take you to Sorrento or Amalfi, and many stops in between.
If you’re staying in the Amalfi Coast you will likely need to arrive in Amalfi and take another bus from there. The 5080 bus will take you to Agerola, including Bomerano, and even all the way to Naples. And if you need to go further east than Amalfi, you can take the 5120 bus to Salerno and the intermediate towns.
If you need to go back to Naples, it may be quicker to take the 5070 bus from Positano to Sorrento, and the L1 train from there to Naples.
For the bus timetables, click here (in Italian). If you need to purchase a train ticket, you can do so on the Trenitalia website. Remember to always check if your train ticket needs validating. Paper and flexible online tickets usually need validating, but time-specific online tickets generally don’t.
By ferry
If you’d prefer a more scenic, although more expensive, trip back, you can take a ferry from Positano. You will find ferries to Amalfi, Sorrento, Naples and even the island of Capri.
You can book ferry tickets online, but it may be easier to buy them on site at a ticket office or the stands near the port. If you want to see the ferry timetables, visit this website.
Best time to visit
Early morning
This is probably the best time to start hiking the Path of the Gods. You can avoid the hottest time of the day and get there before the crowds.
If you start the walk early enough you should get to Positano for lunchtime and enjoy a lovely meal with a view there!
Late morning
Most people will probably get to the start of the Path of the Gods late in the morning. The main downside of this time is that the path will be quite busy, especially in the peak season. Moreover, you would likely be hiking with hotter temperatures than earlier in the morning.
If you start the walk late in the morning, you should definitely have a packed lunch to have along the way.
Late afternoon
If you’re visiting in the summer, another great time to start the Path of the Gods is the late afternoon. Days are very long in the summer, which allows plenty of time to hike the trail even in the evening.
You can avoid most of the crowds by starting the hike later, and the temperatures will be cooler.
Depending on what time you start, you may experience an amazing sunset from the path or from beautiful Positano! You can either bring a packed lunch, or enjoy a meal in Positano.
What to bring
Sunscreen
As previously mentioned, the Path of the Gods is mostly unshaded. Therefore, it’s vital to wear high-protection sunscreen throughout the walk. You should also bring enough sunscreen with you to reapply regularly during the day.
If you don’t wear sunscreen with sufficient protection, you are guaranteed to get sunburnt hiking the Path of the Gods.
A sunhat
This is definitely something I wish I had taken with me when I hiked the Path of the Gods. The absence of shade means that you will walk for hours while being constantly exposed to the sun.
Wearing a sunhat will be helpful in keeping your head from overheating, preventing heat stroke or excessive dehydration. Moreover, it will also help prevent a sunburn on your head, which would be uncomfortable for a few days.
Plenty of water
The high summer temperatures and absence of shade also make water a necessity throughout the walk. There are cafés and shops in Bomerano and Nocelle where you can purchase bottled water. Once you start the hike though, there are no food outlets until the end. Therefore, be sure to get plenty of water before the walk.
I would actually recommend keeping your water in a metal bottle rather than a plastic bottle, because it will keep it cooler for longer.
Packed lunch and snacks
While there are food outlets at the beginning and end of the Path of the Gods, there may be long queues and it’s not guaranteed they’ll be open. It’s quite common for businesses outside the main towns to have varying and unpredictable opening times in the Amalfi Coast.
Therefore, I would highly recommend bringing your own packed lunch before heading to the hike. You should also have plenty of snacks with you to keep you energised during the hike.
