Located high above the coastal towns of Positano and Praiano is one of the most beautiful walks in Italy, the Path of the Gods (also called Sentiero degli Dei). This is the most popular hike to do along the Amalfi Coast and it is famous for its jaw-dropping views over Positano and the Sorrento peninsula. In this guide, we cover the details on how to hike the Path of the Gods.
We did this hike in October 2022, during our second visit to the Amalfi Coast. There are many wonderful experiences to have in this part of Italy, and if you like the idea of being active and adventurous, this is one of the best.
Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Path of the Gods Hiking Stats
There are several different ways to hike the Path of the Gods. The most common way to do this hike is to start in Bomerano, hike to Nocelle, and then either take public transportation back to your starting point or continue the walk to Positano. By doing it this way, it is a one-way hike and mostly downhill.
Below are the stats for the Path of the Gods hike, starting in Bomerano and ending in Nocelle.
Distance: 5.6 km (3.5 miles)
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Total Ascent: 215 meters (710 feet)
Total Descent: 410 meters (1,345 feet)
Highest Elevation: 650 meters (2,130 feet)
Lowest Elevation: 450 meters (1,475 feet)
Time: 1.5 to 3 hours
Starting Point: Bomerano: Piazza Paolo Capasso
Ending Point: Nocelle
Below are the hiking stats for the Path of the Gods hike, starting in Bomerano, going to Nocelle, taking the steps from Nocelle to Amalfi Drive, and walking to the east end of Positano.
Distance: 7.6 km (4.7 miles)
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Total Ascent: 235 meters (775 feet)
Total Descent: 780 meters (2,560 feet)
Highest Elevation: 650 meters (2,130 feet)
Lowest Elevation: 80 meters (265 feet)
Time: 2.5 to 4 hours
Starting Point: Bomerano: Piazza Paolo Capasso
Ending Point: Positano, the intersection of Amalfi Drive and Via Cristoforo Colombo
Path of the Gods elevation profile
Map of the Path of the Gods Hike
This Path of the Gods map was generated from my Garmin Fenix watch. The red color indicates the highest elevation along the trail and the blue color indicates the lowest elevation along the trail. The purple line is the optional trail to avoid the main trail (which has a lot of exposure to cliffs and drop offs) and the gray line is the optional route from Nocelle to Positano.
Path of the Gods map
Additions to the Path of the Gods Hike
Nocelle is a tiny town that sits high in the mountains, above Positano and Amalfi Drive. It is the end point of the Path of the Gods hike.
Once finished the hike, it is possible to call a taxi, take the public bus, or hire a driver to pick you up in Nocelle. You also have the option to continue the walk to the coast, but it does add on more time, distance, and a crazy number of stairs.
Here are a few additions to the Path of the Gods hike.
Nocelle to Arienzo to Positano
This is what we did. From Nocelle, you will walk down 1792 steps (+/- 50). Tim counted them as we descended down towards the coast, ending at Amalfi Drive. By the time we hit 1000 steps, our legs were shaking, and almost 800 steps later, we were thrilled to get back on level ground, even though that meant walking along the road for a bit.
Once on Amalfi Drive, you are standing just above Arienzo Beach. It is a 1 km walk to Positano. Once on the east end of Positano, it takes another 5 to 10 minutes to walk to the city center.
Nocelle to Montepertuso to Positano
Walking from Nocelle to Montepertuso to Positano is a longer walk than taking the stairs down from Nocelle. The first part of this walk has some ups and downs on sets of staircases, but you are walking along a paved path.
This walk is 3.5 km one-way, starts off flat and then gradually descends into Positano. This takes 1 to 1.5 hours.
Hiking from Positano or Praiano to Bomerano
Skip public transportation and do this hike out-and-back. Positano and Praiano are popular starting points and from these towns, it will be a challenging, uphill walk to get onto the Path of Gods trail. From Praiano, you are looking at roughly a one-hour uphill walk and from Positano you are looking at roughly a two-hour walk to get to the Path of the Gods.
Additional Information & Helpful Tips
Best Time of Day to Hike Path of the Gods: The morning, ideally starting by 10 am or earlier. By starting early in the day, you get through most of the hike before the hotter afternoon temperatures. If you are here in the summer, I recommend starting by 8 am, because this trail will be HOT midday.
Best Time for Photography: Morning. In the morning, the sun behind you, which lights up the trail and makes the lighting perfect for photos. In the afternoon, you will be hiking towards the sun, which will make photography challenging.
Toilet: There are restaurants in Bomerano and Nocelle where you can use the bathroom.
Fear of Heights: If you have a fear of heights, there are a few sections where the trail runs along the edge of a cliff. However, this can be avoided by taking a different trail (#327a), which we discuss later in our Path of the Gods trail guide.
Emergency Number: If you have any emergencies along the hike, dial 118 and let the operator know your location, based on the number on the closest tile. These tiles have different numbers and they are located along the Path of the Gods trail.
Please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trail, pack out what you bring to the hiking trail, properly dispose of waste, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife.
Where is the Path of the Gods Trail?
The Path of the Gods is located on the Amalfi Coast. It starts near the village of Bomerano and ends in Nocelle.
How to Get to the Path of the Gods Trailhead
The official Path of the Gods trailhead is located at the end of Via Sentiero Degli Dei, a narrow road that runs from Bomerano out towards the cliffs. Bomerano is a small town that sits in the region of Agerola.
If you are taking public transportation, a guided tour, plan to get here by taxi or private driver, or have a car and plan to drive and park in Bomerano, the hike starts at Piazza Paolo Capasso, which is the main square in Bomerano.
Our hiking stats for the Path of Gods hike starts at Piazza Paolo Capasso.
How to Get to Bomerano
By Bus: Buses to Bomerano start in Amalfi. If you are staying in Positano or Sorrento, you will first have to take the bus to Amalfi and then take the bus to Bomerano. It takes 90 minutes to travel from Sorrento to Amalfi and 50 minutes to travel from Positano to Amalfi. From Amalfi, it takes 40 minutes by bus to get to Bomerano. Depending on your starting point, it could take as much as 2 hours to get to the trailhead, but you will only spend €10 for a 24-hour bus ticket, so this is the best way to go if you are on a budget.
By Taxi or Private Driver: The easiest way to get to Bomerano is to call a taxi or private driver in advance. We hired a private driver and it can be pricey. From Positano, we spent €130 for a driver to take us one-way to Bomerano. The drive took just under an hour. Use this link to book your private driver.
By Ferry: From April through October, you can take the Travelmar ferry to Amalfi and then ride the shuttle provided by Travelmar to Bomerano. Once in Positano, take the ferry back to Salerno or Sorrento. Learn more here.
By Car: If you plan to drive here, there is a small parking lot in town (Parcheggio Gratuito on Google Maps) but spaces are limited and it is a very narrow, winding road to get here.
By Tour: There are a bunch of guided hiking tours of the Path of the Gods trail. Transportation is usually included, which eliminates the hassle of arranging drivers, buses, etc. Some are giant tours with 20+ people and others are much smaller. For the best experience, book a private tour or a small group tour, and when doing your research, pay attention to how many people will be in your group.
View from the Path of the Gods
Path of the Gods Hike
Step-By-Step Trail Guide
Now that we got the logistics out of the way, we can finally talk about the good part…what it is like to hike the Path of the Gods.
Bomerano to the “Official” Path of the Gods Trail
Lining Piazza Paola Capasso are several small restaurants, convenience stores, and even a hiking store. If you forgot your hiking poles or other important gear, you can buy those here. You can even get Path of the Gods socks!
Shops in Bomerano
On the southwest corner of the square, look for a cluster of trail signs. This is where the hike begins.
Trail signs in Bomerano
This narrow street is the start of the Path of the Gods hike.
The trail heads downhill out of town, along a narrow, concrete path. It’s a mostly downhill walk until you reach the junction in the photo below. Follow signs for Sentiero degli Dei, trail #327.
After an uphill walk along Via Sentiero Degli Dei, a paved road, you will arrive at the official trailhead for the Path of the Gods.
The walk from Bomerano to the official trail is 800 meters (0.5 miles) and takes about 15 minutes.
This is the end of the road, Via Sentiero Degli Dei. Just beyond the car the official trail begins.
The Path of the Gods
Once on the official trail, you will walk a mix of graded dirt and gravel trails, up and down large stone steps, and over rockier, uneven trails, over the course of the next few kilometers.
Here are the views from the first section of trail.
The first views from the Path of the Gods hike.
Looking back towards Bomerano.
Another view looking back towards Bomerano.
About 2 km into the hike, at Colle La Serra, you have a choice to make. At this junction, the main trail, trail #327, heads to the left. This is the more exposed trail, with dramatic views and a few cliff edges. This is the scenic route and the route we recommend, if you want to enjoy the spectacular views that the makes the Path of the Gods hike so famous.
However, if you have a fear of heights, it is best to take the trail to the right, trail #327a, towards Nocelle.
Our photos are from trail #327, the main trail.
Trail junction at Colle La Serra.
Once you round the bend beyond the trail junction, the views really open up. For the next 2 km you are treated to breathtaking views along the Amalfi Coast.
On this section of trail, there are a few ups and downs, but nothing too strenuous. Take your time, enjoy the views, and take lots of photos. We loved this section of the Path of the Gods hike. Here are a few photos.
Along this section of trail, there are a few short climbs. Some are up steps made of stone and others are rockier, like in the photo above.
This photo gives you an idea of how close the trail runs along the edge of the cliff.
Looking down onto Praiano and Amalfi Drive.
Looking back along the trail.
Once the two trails rejoin (#327 and #327a), there are still a few brief sections of trail with some exposure.
Towards the final third of the Path of the Gods trail, you start to head in and out of the forest. You lose some of the wonderful views, but if it is a hot day, the shade provides a nice break from the heat.
The Path of the Gods trail ends in Nocelle. There are a few small restaurants in this hillside hamlet. We stopped at the very first one, Il Chiosco del Sentiero degli Dei, and had a lemon granita, which is a lemon slush. They also serve cold drinks, coffee, sandwiches, and salads. From their seating area, you have more great views along the coast.
Entering Nocelle
Nocelle to Positano
Now that you are in Nocelle, you have several options to get back to your home base on the Amalfi Coast. For some people, that means retracing your steps back to Bomerano, if you parked here.
From Nocelle, you can take the SITA bus to Positano. Here is the bus schedule.
It is also possible to call a taxi. This number was posted at the end of the hiking trail: 3392013482.
From Nocelle, you can also continue the walk into Positano. There are two ways to do this.
Steps from Nocelle to Arienzo, Walk to Positano
The quickest way on foot back to Positano (and there’s a good chance you’ll beat the bus, too) is to walk the 1,792 steps from Nocelle to Amalfi Drive (the main road that runs along the Amalfi Coast) and then walk about 1 km to Positano. It took us about 20 minutes to descend the stairs and another 15 minutes to walk into Positano.
To get to the stairs, walk Frazione Nocella down to the square in front of the Santa Croce Church (Chiesa di Santa Croce). The massive stair descent starts at this square. There are very few flat sections along the long lines of steps and occasionally you get views along the coastline. Most of this part of the walk is in a forest so again, you get a break from the hot sun.
Nocelle
It is roughly a 1 km walk through Nocelle and down the stairs to Amalfi Drive and another 1 km, mostly flat walk to the eastern end of Positano. Depending on where you are staying or going next in Positano, it could be another 1 km of walking.
Occasionally there will be breaks in the trees and you can look out at the Amalfi coastline.
The steps
The bottom of the steps and Amalfi Drive
The view of Positano from Amalfi Drive.
Nocelle to Montepertuso to Positano
For a longer, more gradual walk (and to skip the knee crushing descent), walk from Nocelle to Montepertuso to Positano.
We walked about a kilometer of this, so we could provide some info on both routes. This first part of the walk is a paved trail, mostly in the woods, that goes up and down flights of stairs. There isn’t much of a view, since you are in the trees, but there is some shelter from the sun.
In Nocelle, follow signs to Montepertuso and Positano. You will pass the turn off for the bus stop and continue the walk along the paved trail to Montepertuso.
For the longer route to Positano, follow signs for Montepertuso/Positano.
The bus stop is located up the stairs. The trail to Positano continues to the left of the stairs.
Trail to Montepertuso
Once you get to Montepertuso, you will start the descent into Positano.
This walk is 3.5 km one-way, starts off flat and then gradually descends into Positano. This takes 1 to 1.5 hours.
What to Bring on the Hike
Hiking shoes or good walking/running shoes. Hiking shoes are ideal for this hike, since you will hike on a lot of uneven surfaces and up and down rocks that have been worn smooth and slippery from previous hikers. However, Tim and I did this in walking shoes. This was the only hike we had planned on this trip to Italy and we did not want to pack hiking shoes for just one short hike. We got by in our walking shoes and did fine, but hiking shoes would have made the hike easier and less slippery.
Water. Bring at least 1.5 liters of water per person.
Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses. Parts of the trail is shaded, but there are long sections of the hike where the trail is fully exposed to the sun.
If you are new to hiking or are curious about what you should bring on a hike, check out our Hiking Gear Guide. Find out what we carry in our day packs and what we wear on the trails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Path of the Gods worth it?
With some of the best views of the Amalfi Coast, the Path of the Gods is worth it for those looking to add a hike (and some pretty sweet views) on to their to-do list. We loved this hike, and if you do it point to point like we did, the views are always changing, so there is never a boring moment along this trail.
When is the best time of year to do the Path of the Gods hike?
The Path of the Gods trail can be hiked all year. However, the best times to do this hike are in the spring (April through early June) and the fall (end of September through November). In the summer, expect blazing hot temperatures and high crowds midday. In the winter, you could experience cold weather, cloudy skies, and some rain, but crowds will be lowest at this time.
We did this hike in mid-October, and the high temperature was 27°C (81°F), a little warmer than average for this time of year.
How long does it take to walk the Path of the Gods?
To walk the Path of the Gods trail, it takes 1.5 to 2 hours, so it is a relatively quick hike. However, getting to Bomerano (the starting point) and getting back to your starting point from Nocelle (the ending point of the trail) adds on more time. All of this can add up, making the entire experience about 5 hours, or half of a day.
Do I need hiking shoes for the Path of the Gods hike?
Hiking shoes are not absolutely necessary for the Path of the Gods hike. We did this hike in a pair of good walking shoes, but the weather was dry. If it has been wet or raining, the rocks along the trail can get very slippery, which makes a lot easier to slip and fall or twist an ankle. Ideally, pack a pair of hiking shoes. If you don’t have any, keep an eye on the weather forecast and hike the Path of the Gods when the weather is dry.
More Great Hikes Around the World
If You Like This Hike…
If you like the Path of the Gods, here are six similar hikes from around the world:
- The Cinque Terre, Italy
- The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, Algarve, Portugal
- The Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
- The Coogee to Bondi Coastal Trail, Sydney, Australia
- The Stave-Bleik Coastal Trail, Vesteralen Islands, Norway
- Walking from Fira to Oia, Santorini, Greece
For more great hikes from around the world, check out our Hiking Guide.
More Information for Your Trip to the Amalfi Coast
AMALFI COAST TOWNS: For an overview of where to go, check out our article 17 Beautiful Towns to Visit on the Amalfi Coast. We also have detailed guides about the Best Things to Do on the Amalfi Coast and how to visit Positano and Ravello. Learn how to plan your time with our Amalfi Coast Itinerary.
GETTING AROUND: Learn how to travel from Rome to Sorrento, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast and how to visit Pompeii when traveling between Rome and Sorrento. We also have a guide to the Best Way to Get around the Amalfi Coast and what it is like to drive the Amalfi Coast.
SORRENTO & CAPRI: Learn about the best things to do in Sorrento, how to spend 3 days in Sorrento, learn how to plan your day trip to Capri, and find out whether or not the Blue Grotto is worth it.
VISITING IN OCTOBER: Learn what it is like to visit Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast in October and November.
WHERE TO STAY: For recommendations of where to stay, including Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello, take a look at our Amalfi Coast Hotel Guide.
ITALY ITINERARY: On this 10 day southern Italy itinerary, visit the Amalfi Coast, Castelmezzano, Matera, Alberobello, and more towns in Puglia.
If you have any questions about how to hike the Path of the Gods, or if you want to share your experience, let us know in the comment section below.
More Information for Your Trip to Italy
ROME: For a list of the top experiences in Rome, read our article Best Things to Do in Rome. Learn how to put these together in our 2 Day Rome Itinerary. And don’t miss our guides to the Best Views of Rome, best Rooftop Bars in Rome, and our Rome Restaurant Guide.
CINQUE TERRE: One of the best experiences in the Cinque Terre is to hike between all five towns. If you are traveling on a budget, get our money saving tips for the Cinque Terre.
MILAN & LAKE COMO: Learn how to visit Milan on a day trip or while traveling between the Cinque Terre, Florence and Venice. Lake Como and Bellagio are two more beautiful places in Italy that are great day trip destinations.
TUSCANY: In Tuscany, learn about the best things to do on your first visit to Florence, an overview of what it is like to visit the Tuscan hill towns, and how to spend one day in Siena.
HIKES IN THE DOLOMITES: In our article Best Hikes in the Dolomites, we cover 15 epic trails in the Dolomites. Which ones do you want to do?
We have TONS more information about Italy in our Italy Travel Guide, including Rome, Florence, Venice, Tuscany, the Dolomites, the Amalfi Coast, the Cinque Terre, and Puglia.
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Comments 24
Hello, I have been using your website for years, and this post is maybe your most detailed and helpful yet!! (But they are all so extremely helpful!) We are staying in Nocelle next month (in fact, our Airbnb is the building pictured in your taxi sign photo). From what I’ve seen you say, including in one of your replies to a commenter, the best views are around the trail split. Do you think it’s doable for us to start at the end of the trail and hike towards Bomerano, turning around and coming back down around halfway? Will the views be great on the second half of the trail (toward Nocelle)? Is it a lot more rigorous hiking in reverse? Thanks for all your tips! Can’t wait to try that lemon slushy stand, and the info about getting into Positano from Nocelle will be extremely helpful for our daily activity since we are staying in Nocelle.
Author
Hello Amy. I’m glad you like our site! Yes, it is very doable to hike from Nocelle towards Bomerano and then retrace your steps back to Nocelle. It will be an uphill walk from Nocelle towards Bomerano but if you look at our elevation profile you can see that it shouldn’t be too bad. The views will be better on the return part of the hike but it is worth doing it this way because it will save you a ton of transportation time to get from Nocelle to Bomerano (probably longer than walking there). As far as where to turn around, yes, somewhere around the trail split but on the side closest to Bomerano. I estimate your hike to be somewhere around 7 km out and back (4.4 miles). Plus you get to do all of the good parts (twice) and skip some of the more boring parts of the trail. 😊 I hope you have a wonderful time on the Amalfi Coast and enjoy the lemon slushes! Cheers, Julie