Gretchen Stuppy Carlson
Traversing the steep hills of the Amalfi Coast, this incredible hiking trail descends to the sea as it wanders through fields and past cliffs with sweeping views of the coastal towns and the Tyrrhenian Sea.
We loved our time on the Amalfi Coast, but our favorite activity was hiking the Path of the Gods Trail. I hiked this trails just with Hadley, Fin and Freja while Dave worked from our apartment for the day during the summer of 2022. This trail, also referred to by its Italian name – Sentiero Degli Dei, has been used for centuries and today is the perfect place to enjoy the coast away from the crowds.
While not difficult, this trail not only loses significant elevation but also gains elevation at times as it winds along the hills. There is also a decent amount of exposure and drop-offs through several of the sections of the Trail. If you are planning any hiking in the Amalfi Coast, this trail should be at the top of your list.
If you are looking for more ideas of things to do in the Amalfi Coast, check out: Best Amalfi Coast Itinerary for 2-6 Amazing Days in Italy.
Quick Look at the Path of the Gods Hike
Distance: 5 miles (7 miles all the way to Positano) Elevation: 950 feet of elevation Gain Difficulty: Moderate
This trail is a one-way trail that can be hiked in either direction, although most people hike it from the hills in Bomerano to the coast in Arienzo. From here a series of stairs take you down to the popular town of Positano. This guide describes the hike going in this direction.
If you don’t want to deal with the logistics, you can also hike it as an out and back starting in Positano, but this is obviously a much longer hike. If you are hiking from Positano, Path of the Gods is a difficult hike simply due to the number of stairs. Read more below on how to get to the Path of the Gods hiking trail in Bomerano.
Map of the Path of the Gods, Italy
Getting to the Path of the Gods Hiking Trail
Since this is a one-way hiking trail from Bomerano to Positano (or Path of the Gods Positano-Bomerano), there are a few logistics involved. To get to the start of the hike, you will need to take the bus to Bomerano from Amalfi. Look for local bus 5020 towards Agerola / Bomerano. If you aren’t staying in Amalfi, you will need to get to Amalfi via another bus.
Quick note that we’ve seen several different bus numbers for the bus to Bomerano – look for the bus going to Agerola/Bomerano.
When we boarded the bus in the morning, almost everyone on board was going to do the hike. You can find the bus schedule online and can buy bus tickets near the bus stop at one of the local shops – just look for signs for ‘bus tickets’. If you plan to get an early start (before 8 am) make sure to purchase your bus ticket the day before since many of the shops don’t open until 8 am.
The drive takes about 40 minutes and is exciting as it winds along the cliffs of the coast and finally up into the hills.
Once you get off the bus, you will find yourself near a town square. Continue walking down the street in the same direction the bus was going and look for signs for the Path of the Gods Trail (or Sentiero Degli Dei). You can also follow the people walking. You will pass several small markets where you can buy sandwiches, fruit or water for the hike if needed.
After walking on the street for a moment, follow the sign that goes off to the left. This will bring you to the start of the hike after a few more minutes of walking and some up and down. We were surprised to find a pop-up booth at the top with someone selling ferry tickets to use for the end of your hike. From here follow signs for the hike right down to the bottom.
Once you finish the hike in Positano, you can take another SITA bus or a ferry back to where you are staying.
If you don’t want to deal with public transportation, you can also get a taxi to the start of the hike.
Details of Hiking the Path of the Gods Trail
Once you get to the start of hiking trail, it takes about 3 hours to get down to the end of the hike. The first part of the hike traverses the cliffs with sections of both up and downs. You will go by some striking rock formations and working fields. We also passed several goats and other animals along the way. There are several trail junctions, but it is easy to continue following the signs. The first part of the trail has very little shade, but truly amazing views.
After a few miles, you turn a corner for an entirely new view towards Positano with a water fountain directly in front of you. From here, the trail descends a bit more directly with more shade, although there are still some ups and downs. Not far down the hill is a small spot to grab some lemonade (we stopped in for something to cool us down). For customers, there is a restroom – this is the only restroom on the trail.
After starting to descend, the trail becomes more exposed and passes over several cliff areas with some drops on one side. If you have a fear of heights, this might be a little scary, but the path is generally wide and easy to walk on. The hike officially ends in Nocelle and you can grab some snacks or water right here. Most people then descend to Positano via a series of stairs – this part can get a bit confusing, but if you continue downhill and to the right, eventually you come down to the road leading to Positano.
The stairs are quite steady and steep, so if you have knee issues you may want to arrange for a taxi to pick you up in Nocelle. We walked the steps and really enjoyed getting closer and closer to the water and we finished our hike with gelato right on the beach in Positano.
Things to Know about the Path of the Gods Hike
When is the best time of year to hike the Path of the Gods?
The best time of year to Hike the Path of the Gods is between March and October when temperatures are comfortable. During the summer months, the trail can get quite hot and there is limited shade. If you are hiking in the summer, try to start early in the day to avoid the heat. We hiked the Path of the Gods at the end of June. We started the hike around 10 in the morning and by midafternoon we were hot and ready for a swim.
Is the Path of the Gods Worth It?
When we started planning our time on the Amalfi Coast, I kept wavering on whether to do this hike since it involved a lot of logistics and buses. I’m so glad we decided to do the hike as we got truly amazing views that are so different from what you see directly along the coast. This hike is 100% worth it.
Can you Get Food and Water on the Trail?
There was just one spot along the trail, near the halfway mark, where you can stop and get some basic food. You can also find a water fountain around halfway as well. We stopped in for a lemon slushie and sat for a few moments in the shade. You can also buy snacks or sandwiches in the town of Bomerano and right at the end of the hiking trail in Arienzo.
What to Bring on Your Hike
For the Path of the Gods Hike, we packed a day pack bag with essential hiking items including extra water and snacks. I did this with my 3 kids ages 10, 13 and 13 and we carried one back for all of us. We each work lightweight layers and hiking shoes, although we did see many people wearing a variety of footwear on the trail. The trail is mostly smooth with very few rocks, so you could also wear a pair of sneakers. Many people also carried hiking polls which would have been nice to have on the way downhill, especially on the stairs.
Where is the best place to Stay to Hike the Path of the Gods?
The best place to stay to do this hike is either in Positano or Amalfi, although you can really stay anywhere along the coastline. If you stay in Positano, you will need to take a bus to Amalfi and then up to Bomerano. On the other hand, if you stay in Amalfi, you will need to take an extra bus (or ferry) at the end of the day back to Amalfi. We stayed in Pontone – a small town just inland of Amalfi in an apartment, and you can find lots of other options on booking.com.
