The Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei) is the walk most people picture when they think of hiking above the Amalfi Coast: a balcony trail high on the cliffs, with the sea a long way below and Capri on the horizon. It is also easier than it looks, as long as you start at the right end and carry enough water.
The route in numbers
- Distance: about 7.8 km from Bomerano to Nocelle.
- Time: three to four hours at a relaxed pace, plus stops.
- Terrain: mostly flat or gently downhill, then roughly 1,500 steps from Nocelle to Positano if you finish there.
- Waymarks: the path is usually marked as CAI 327, with red and white paint on rocks and walls.
Which way to walk it
Start in Bomerano, a hamlet of Agerola, and finish in Nocelle or Positano. That way the trail loses height instead of gaining it, and the sea stays ahead of you. Bomerano is reached by bus from Amalfi (about 40 minutes, a few departures a day) and by taxi from Positano or Praiano. Check the timetable the day before, because the last buses leave earlier than you expect.
Step by step
From the square in Bomerano, follow the signs for the Sentiero degli Dei through a short stretch of lane and olive terraces. Within 15 minutes the trail leaves the houses and runs along the foot of the mountain wall, between stone terraces and goat tracks. The view opens over Praiano, the Li Galli islets and, on a clear day, Capri.
The path stays mostly level or slowly descends, with a couple of short rocky sections where you will use a hand for balance. In the middle, the trail crosses a ridge where the wind can pick up, so keep your hat on. There are no cafés or fountains on the trail itself, and mobile signal drops in places.
The walk ends at Nocelle, a hamlet perched about 400 metres above the sea. Stop for a coffee or lunch, then take the local bus or a taxi down to Positano. Or walk: the old mule stairs descend through lemon terraces for roughly 1,500 steps, and they are harder on the knees than the whole of the trail.
What to bring
- Water: at least 1.5 litres per person in summer.
- Shoes with grip, such as trail runners or light boots. Not sandals.
- A hat, sunscreen and a light layer for the wind.
- Snacks, because nothing is for sale on the trail.
- Some cash for a coffee in Bomerano or Nocelle.
When to go
April to early June and mid-September to October are best. In July and August start before 08:00, or the middle stretch turns into an oven. After heavy rain the stairs and rocky sections are slippery, and in winter parts of the trail can be wet or icy at dawn. Ask your host about conditions the day before: they know whether it is dry.
Where to sleep
Praiano and Positano sit at the finish, Amalfi and Atrani have the bus to the start. A night in Praiano with a terrace facing the sunset makes this a good two-day plan: walk in the morning and swim in the afternoon. Browse stays in Praiano or Positano, and message the host about luggage transfers if you are carrying more than a daypack.
