The Path of the Gods: The Amalfi Coast from Above

Discover the most beautiful views of the Amalfi Coast from the Path of the Gods, the trek that connects Bomerano and Positano from the heights.

There are many options to enjoy the wonders of the Amalfi Coast, south of Naples (Italy).

• Dozens of charming villages.
• Delicious gastronomy.
• Some of the most suggestive beaches in Italy.
• The dazzling nature of the Lattari Mountains.

Today I am going to tell you about the star trekking route of the area, known all over the world:

The Path of the Gods.

Technical specifications

To try to understand each other better, we are going to divide the Path of the Gods (also known as 'Sentiero degli Dei', in Italian; or Path of the Godsin English) into two sections:

From Bomerano to Nocelle

• Starting point: Bomerano, a fraction of Agerola, on the heights of the Amalfi Coast.
• End: Officially, the Path of the Gods ends in Nocelle, a small village with beautiful views of the coast.
• Length: 5.8km (one way).
• Duration: It took us 3 hours to walk it, but we made many scenic stops.
• Difficulty: Low/Medium.

From Nocelle to Positano

• 4 alternative routes:
  • Take a bus from Nocelle to Positano.
  • Walk down some stairs connecting Nocelle to the main road ('Amalfi Drive') and, from there, walk to Positano (+2.5km, +1h).
  • Continue on the (paved) road that leads to Montepertuso (+2.5km, +1h), and there:
    • Take the bus to Positano.
    • Descend another staircase that leads directly to Positano (+2.5km,+1h).
• Option 2: Stairs from Nocelle + Amalfi Drive.
  • Length: 5km to the center of Positano.
  • Duration: 1h, again with stops.
  • Difficulty: Low/Medium(be careful with your knees!).

How to get to Bomerano

Public transportation

There is a bus line from Amalfi to Naples that stops at Bomerano and other points in Agerola. The ticket here costs €1.8 per person and takes about 40 minutes.

These buses are very comfortable, although you have to be prepared for the curves of the road connecting Bomerano to Amalfi.

Your own vehicle

To get to Bomerano, follow the road signs or the navigator's directions. Near the main square you will find a free parking lot (I have marked it on the map at the bottom of this page).

The path of the gods, step by step

Starting in Bomerano

Directions begin in the main square of Bomerano, very close to the bus stop.

The easiest way is to take a look at the map at the bottom of this page. You will see that the start of the route is marked with an "A".

If you are still not sure, you have two other options:

Ask the locals and/or follow the other hikers.

You will distinguish them by their mountaineering attire. 🙂

The Path of the Gods to Nocelle

The official start is marked with a ceramic plaque. Quiet, it does not go unnoticed.

From there, the good stuff starts.

The route is easy, gently sloping downhill, with few climbs in between.

The terrain is very varied depending on where you are. You will pass through dirt roads, uneven steps, small stony paths and even rocky clusters that you will have to negotiate like a mountain goat (nothing exaggerated, don't worry).

A single negative point: shade is almost nonexistent or non-existent.

However,

The views of the Amalfi Coast under your feet, its villages dotting the mountains, the Tyrrhenian Sea giving you its most turquoise face... will more than compensate for the heat and effort of the route.

When you reach Colle Serra, a point I have also marked on the map, you will have the possibility to choose between High or Low Trail (high or low trail, respectively).

The views are similar. The terrain is perhaps a bit more challenging on the High Trail, although not too much.

In either case, the only difference is that, as the name suggests, the 'high' alternative runs the trail in an upper stratum of the mountain, above the Low Trail. The two rejoin at the same point on the trail 1.2km later.

Therefore,

Whichever one you take, you will enjoy an almost identical panoramic view and end up in the same place.

Stairs from Nocelle to Positano

When you reach Nocelle, your legs take you, by pure inertia, down the street to a square with good views of the Amalfi Coast, benches to rest admiring them while you eat your sandwich, public toilets and a lemonade and slushie stand boasting an infallible marketing strategy.

From this square, stairs lead down to Amalfi Drive.

1700 steps, according to the most conservative sources.

I tried to count them, but failed in the attempt.

Once on the main road, you must continue along the shoulder next to the sea(I say shoulder to say something...), avoiding parked cars and being very careful with the traffic, as there are points where two vehicles can not fit in the opposite direction.

And soon after,Positano is waiting for you.

Our experience

The day woke up shrouded in fog and drizzle. So much so, that we had to stand for about 30 minutes at the trailhead waiting for the rain to stop.

We did not know how to decide between the two bifurcations, high or low. However, fate made it easy for us. A large group of students and their squeaky-voiced guide took the Low Trail, so... let's climb like goats, they said!

We don't like crowds, you can tell, can't you?

When we reached the first great panoramic point, the clouds did not let us see anything at all. We put our second grain of patience of the day and after 10 minutes... the sky rewarded us!

And from there, it was all sewing, singing and admiring the beautiful views of the Amalfi Coast.

Along the way we stopped many times to rest, drink, have a snack and, above all, take hundreds of photos. And when we arrived at the Nocelle square, we sat down for lunch.

Once recovered, we set course for Positano via the stairs.

Tip:

Take it easy, take breaks and be prepared for stiffness the day after.

And when we reached Amalfi Drive, we had to walk very close to the edge of the road overlooking the sea, dodging badly parked cars, stopping every time a bus approached and being very careful not to get run over in that crazy traffic.

In a short time, we sighted Positano... how wonderful!

Video

Want to see first-hand our experience on the Path of the Gods?

Press play.

Frequently Asked Questions

High or Low Trail?

• Difficulty: They are very similar, although my feeling is that the Low Trail is more difficult than the Low Trail. Low Trail is a bit easier.
• Length: 1.2km, exactly the same.
• Panoramic points: Equivalent, although it would be necessary to visit both to make a real comparison, which I did not do.
• Affluence: High Trail was less traveled. I know this because the lower level was visible from it.

Do I need a guide?

No, not at all.

If you want someone to tell you the history of the place, then yes, of course.

However, if you are a trekking lover who prefers to walk at your own pace and avoid groups, like us, you can walk it on your own without any problems.

What to bring

• Mountain bootsif they are water resistant, the better.
• If you use them often, hiking poles.
• Light clothing that dries easily.
• Rain jacket for the rain.
• UVA protection cream.
• Sunglasses.
• Hat(they don't fit me, I'm stubborn, and the curls don't help). 🙂
• Water (1.5 liters per person).
• Food (nuts, snacks, fruit, etc...).

How do I organize the excursion?

There are several possibilities, depending on your way of traveling.

If you are backpacking:

• Spend the night before in Bomerano. Both food and lodging are cheaper than on the coast (Amalfi, Praiano, Positano, etc). And, after walking the Path of the Gods, spend the night in Positano. It is worth spending at least one night in this beautiful town.

• If you need to save money, another option is to sleep the second night in Montepertuso or Nocelle, a bit cheaper than Positano. You could also return to Bomerano. Be careful:

It is a sin to leave the Amalfi Coast without seeing Positano up close.

If you move by public transport, but without carrying your luggage:

• Book your accommodation in Amalfi and take the first or second bus in the morning to Bomerano (1.8€). When you arrive in Positano, take a boat to Amalfi (8€) or a bus (take my word for it, better the boat) and you will have deserved a good dinner!

• In the same way, you can spend both nights in Positano or Bomerano. The only thing that will change will be the time at which you will start the trekking. This, depending on the season, will be decisive, both for prices and temperatures during the trek.

• During the high season, prices in Positano go through the roof and it gets hot in the middle of the day along the trail. In this case, it is more practical to spend the night in Bomerano.

• On the other hand, in low season, when temperatures drop, there are fewer daylight hours and hotels lower their rates, sleeping in wonderful Positano can pay off. Take a look at the current prices:

If you own or rent a car:

• Leave it at the accommodation where you are staying (Amalfi, Positano, Bomerano...) and use public transportation.
• Arrive early in Bomerano to obtain parking at the free parking and, when you finish the trekking route:
  • Take a boat to Amalfi and the bus to Bomerano to recover the vehicle.
  • Return along the trail in the opposite direction.
• Star option: Our choice. Reservation in Bomerano two non-consecutive nights and ask the accommodation to allow you to leave the car in your parking lot during the day when you are not staying overnight.
  • Thus, you sleep the night before in Bomerano.
  • The next morning, after leaving the suitcases in the vehicle and taking a simple change of clothes for one night, you drive along the Path of the Gods and end up in Positano.
  • You take a bath on the beach, a shower in your accommodation and stroll under the stars in Positano. Undoubtedly, one of the must-sees.
  • The next day, carrying only your small backpack, you continue to discover Positano, take the boat to Amalfi (you have to see this coast from the sea...) and wait for the bus that will take you to Bomerano.
  • Dinner and overnight in Bomerano, where everything is cheaper and your car is waiting for you safely.

Advantages of this alternative?

1. Two nights half-price accommodation in Bomerano.
2. We stayed overnight in Positano without suffering the infernal traffic around it and without paying the expensive parking fees of the city.
3. After the Path of the Gods, we didn't have to rush off to take any public transportation, but enjoyed our well-deserved swim in Positano.

Where to stay

Do you want to know which accommodation allowed us to leave our vehicle parked in their garage for 3 days, booking only 2 nights?

Here it is:

B&B A 2 passi dagli Dei.

It is a two-story house with private garage, where the ground floor has been renovated to become a B&B with 6 rooms.

The rooms are modern, comfortable and cozy, all of them with private bathrooms.

Breakfast is spectacular, with both sweet and savory items, including baked vegetables.

In general, it is necessary to leave a copy of your car keys at the front desk, as the garage is small and your car may need to be moved for another guest to leave.

It is literally 2 steps away from the Path of the Gods and other beautiful trails, such as the Tre Calli Circuit.

Maddalena, the owner, was always ready to give us information about the various trekking routes starting from Bomerano, where to eat well for little money, etc.

And if that wasn't enough, he allowed us to leave our car parked in his garage the night we slept in Positano without charging us any extra. Of course, we asked permission by email before arriving.

And all, for the modest price of 60€ per night30€ per head.

In short, the B&B A 2 passi dagli Dei is:

Comfortable, modern, economical, well located and with a 10 breakfast.

Can it be done in the opposite direction?

It is unwise for you to walk the path of the Gods in the opposite direction, because:

• You will be going uphill all the time.
• Beautiful views will always be at your back.
• If you go from Positano to Nocelle via the stairs... I pity you!

But anything is possible. It's up to you.

When to go

No matter when you visit the Amalfi Coast, the Path of Gods is always worth discovering.

If you go in high season, July and August, you will find higher prices and temperatures. To avoid sunstroke, opt for the early hours of the day and cool off with a nice dip in Positano at the end of the day.

In low season, you have more freedom of movement, although the days are short and the weather can play a trick on you. Try, above all, to choose a clear day to enjoy the views as they deserve.

The best time to visit the Amalfi Coast?

Spring, no doubt.

We were there the first week of June 2017. Although there was already quite a bit of tourism, it was nowhere near the summer crowds. And it was warm enough to make swimming in the sea delightful.

And you, Do you know the path of the Gods? Tell me what you thought of this experience in the comments. And if I catch you organizing your next trip, don't hesitate to ask me any questions you may have.

The Amalfi Coast Guide in PDF

Would you like a PDF with all the information from this blog on how to plan a trip to the Amalfi Coast on your own?

Save it on your tablet or phone and refer to it whenever you need to.

• Choose when, where, and how.
• Adjust the budget to fit your budget.
• Live your own adventure.

Interested? Then click here and buy it for just €1.95.

Useful Links

• Amalfi-Positano Bus Schedule.
• Schedules for boat trips from Amalfi to Positano.
• Hotels in Bomerano.
• Our lodging in Bomerano.
• Accommodation in Positano, Casa Maresca.
• Flight deal search engines:Trabber,eDreams,Momondo, andVueling. 
• 5% discount on your IATI travel insurance.

On a trip to the Amalfi Coast? Then don't miss these other entries:

• Positanoone of the most beautiful villages in Italy.
• The circuit Tre Callian alternative route.
• Ravello and the villas with the best views on the Amalfi Coast.
• Amalfi (and Atrani) in 24 hours.
• A 7-Day Road Trip Along the Amalfi Coast.

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