Without a shadow of a doubt, the highpoint of our recent holiday excursion around Italy was hiking along the Path Of The Gods trail.
Translated from ‘Il Sentiero Degli Dei’ in Italian, the Path of the Gods runs along the stunning Amalfi Coast between the villages of Bomerano & Nocelle and provides some of the most jaw-dropping landscape vistas you’ve ever seen.
Why do they call it Path of the Gods?
Fret not – the Path of the Gods derives its name from mythology – the title of the trail is in no way related to the difficulty of the hike!
This legendary 8-kilometre (5 mile) path winds through the mountainside and is said to have been the exact route traversed by the Greek God’s during their journey to save Ulysses – the hero of Homer’s epic, ‘The Odyssey’ – from the seductive sirens on Li Galli Islands.
Fun fact – While steeped in legend, the trail wasn’t officially titled Path of the Gods until the 19th Century by Italian historian Giustino Fortunato, who was deeply captivated by the trails origins and epic scenery.
Where does the Path of the Gods start and finish?
While the main segment of the Path of the Gods hike runs between Bomeramo & Nocelle, there are numerous variations of the hike which all vary in difficulty.
Which route you opt for largely comes down to where you’re travelling from and how much of a challenge you fancy!
The main starting points of the hike tend to be: Nocelle, Positano, Bomeramo & Praino.
Many hikers (ourselves included) also tend to travel here from Sorrento, which does require a little extra logistical planning.
Let’s cover each of the hiking starting points below.
How long does it take to walk the Path of the Gods?
On average, the Path of the Gods can be completed in 2-3 hours at a steady pace.
However, be prepared to account for extra time depending on which route you take. For example, the grueling climb from Praino adds around an extra hour to the hike, while choosing to tackle the steps between Positano and Nocelle will also considerably lengthen your ramble (especially if you’re walking uphill rather than downwards!)
Likewise – regardless of which route you take – with such incredible views on offer, you very well may want to simply take your time to appreciate the landscape and perhaps even stop for a picnic break. Trust me, it’s well worth it!
How difficult is Path of the Gods?
Despite being nestled high in the mountains, the main segment of Path of the Gods is quite easily achievable for most walking abilities. We saw are variety of walkers young & old quite comfortably making their way along the winding mountainside trail.
The easiest and most popular route is hiking directly from Bomerano to Nocelle which has you heading gradually downhill for a decent chunk of the hike. This way round also offers the best views since you’ll be facing towards the picturesque coastal town of Positano.
Starting from the opposite end at Nocelle is still doable for most however, but you will be heading more uphill than downwards and won’t be treated to quite as gorgeous views (although still undeniably very nice!).
For those opting for more challenging iterations of the hike, starting from Praiono or Positano would be your best bet.
Praino involves a gruelling staircase climb through the hillside town and up the steep mountainside towards the main Path of the Gods trail, while starting from Positano will have you climbing a steep flight of 1700 steps to reach Nocelle. Not for the feint of heart!
Whichever route you opt for however, the trail is rather rocky and exposed throughout, so safety is paramount. Take great care during the hike, wearing correct footwear and ensuring you don’t deviate too close to the cliff edge.
Likewise, for ramblers not so accustomed to the hot weather, the extreme heat can really exhaust you. Taking plenty of water is an absolute necessity and wearing a hat is also certainly recommended.
How to get to Path of the Gods?
While starting Path of the Gods from Nocelle or Bomerano is relatively straightforward, starting your hike from a little further afield in Praiano or Positano will require some extra hiking before you reach the official starting points of the trail.
Path of the Gods from Positano
Positano is one of the most popular towns situated on the Amalfi Coast, which also means many people head to the Path of the Gods from here.
To reach the starting point of Nocelle on foot, you’ll have to ascend the notoriously punishing 1700 staircase which takes roughly an hour to summit. While the climb can prove a bit of a challenge however, the views looking back towards Postano are absolutely breathtaking.
Alternatively, there are small buses which run fairly frequently between Nocelle and Positano at €1.80 for a single journey. While a less strenuous option, they really do cram these buses to the brim – we were squashed like sardines on our journey down from Nocelle! A cheap and quick option, but not great for those who struggle with tight spaces.
Check out here for bus times – although due to how chaotic and unpredictable the roads can be, I’d take these times with a pinch of salt!
Thirdly, you could always take a taxi, although we did hear stories from fellow travellers who were charged upwards of €50 for a single journey. No thanks!
Path of the Gods from Praiano
Hiking from Praiano is one of the most convenient starting points to reach the Path of the Gods when travelling from Sorrento, but also perhaps the most difficult!
Being a glutton for punishment and wanting to start the hike from Bomerano, this was the hike we opted for.
*The map above details the hike from Praiano to the Path of the Gods starting point
While demanding, following the route is actually straightforward enough.
Sticking to the map above, simply wind your way up all the stairs running through Praiano, where towards the top of town you’ll see signposts signalling directions for the Path of the Gods trail.
You’ll know once you arrive at the main segment of the trail since you’ll start spotting many more hikers – practically nobody walks the Praiano route so you’ll largely be walking alone!
Travelling to Path of the Gods from Sorrento
If you’re heading to the Path of the Gods from Sorrento as we did – you’ll first need to head to the bus station in Sorento town centre.
The buses are quite regular and the helpful ticket office staff speak English, making it easy to know where you need to be.
It’s hard to know which stop to get off at however, so be sure to keep tabs on Google maps once you reach Positano so you know when to press the stop bell and jump off.
If you want to start from Positano, simply jump off in town, while you’ll need to stay on the bus just a tad longer if making your way to Praiano.
Which is the best route for Path of the Gods?
There really is no ‘best’ way to hike the Path of the Gods since it largely comes down to personal preference! I’m sure all variations are great fun.
Personally however, I do believe hiking the route from Bomerano to Nocelle would be the better direction to choose for most due to its steady downhill and picture-perfect panoramas of Positano on offer.
Finishing near Positano is also super convenient. You can cool off and take a refreshing dip at the beach, treat yourself to some amazing Italian food and peruse the quirky shops scattered all around town.
While certainly not for everyone’s cup of tea, I also really enjoyed climbing up the mountainside from Praiano. For regular readers of this blog, you’ll know I love a good hiking challenge so its only fitting we chose the most taxing option!
This route was super quiet – even in peak season – so it was nice to avoid the crowds for a while. I think we only saw 2-3 other hikers. Likewise, the unique views on offer throughout the climb are outstanding and the sense of achievement we felt once we reached the Path of the Gods trail was well worth it.
Tips when hiking Path of the Gods
- Be sure to wear the correct clothing & footwear – the heat and sun exposure at this altitude is no joke and the path is very crumbly & rocky, so a good pair of shoes are a must. Shades and a hat will also help.
- Apply sun lotion – Protecting your skin is important, especially if you’re fair skinned like myself. Apply suncream and remember to reapply as necessary. Better safe than sorry!
- Plenty of water – Hiking in the heat means you’re going to be losing a lot of fluid. Keep yourself hydrated, making sure to bring a sufficient amount of water. We went through at least 2 litres of water during our excursion.
- High energy snacks – It’s worth bringing along long some hiking snacks to keep you energised during the ramble. For more info, be sure to check out our list of the 10 best hiking snacks here.
- Take care when navigating the terrain – While easy to follow for the most part, the trail is very high up and exposed in many sections of the walk. Try to not veer too close to the edge and be mindful of sticking to the beaten path.
Other resources
Hungry for more hikes in the nearby area? Then venturing out to Sorrento’s hidden swimming cove might just be for you.
Once home to a famed 1st Century BC Roman villa, Bagni Regina Giovanna is somewhat of a secret paradise and is without doubt one of the most scenic spots on Italy’s southern coast.
Interested in hiking to this natural wonder? Then be sure to check our detailed Bagni Regina Giovanna guide!
Happy walking 🚶🚶