Path of the Gods Hike: Map, Route, Top Tips & More!

Are you planning to hike the Path of the Gods in the Amalfi Coast, Italy? You’ve come to the right place! In this article I have outlined everything you need to know about the Path of the Gods hike in Italy.

Including hike specifications like length, difficulty and elevation, but also logistical advice like how to get there, whether you need a tour or not, and much more.

The Path of the Gods, or Sentiero Degli Dei in Italian, is one of the best hikes in Italy. With its spectacular views and stunning natural scenery, it’s easy to see where the name comes from.

If you want to spend a morning hiking along the side of a mountain, with the sea on the other side and the iconic view of the perfect houses of Positano in front of you, then this is the hike for you.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s dive in, and discover everything you need to know about hiking the Path of the Gods!

Essential info about hiking the Path of the Gods

Before we dive into what to expect from this hike, it’s important to go over some basic logistics and essential details about the hike.

In this initial section, I will go over everything you need to know about hiking the Path of the Gods in Amalfi, Coast, Italy.

Path of the Gods trail specifics

Known in Italian as “Il Sentiero degli Dei”, the official Path of the Gods trail runs between the towns of Bomerano to Nocelle. Most people will then continue the hike from Nocelle and finish up in Positano.

If you only hike from Bomerano to Nocelle, to the official end of the hike, these are the hike specifications:

• Hike length: 5.6 kilometres
• Time: 1.5 to 2.5 hours
• Elevation change: 200m downhill (besides some short uphill sections, the hike is primarily downhill)
• Difficulty: Easy 

Once in Nocelle, you can either take a tourist bus down to Positano, or you can continue hiking. If you continue the hike from Nocelle to Positano, these are the new total hike specifications:

• Hike length: 7.6 kilometres
• Time: 2.5 to 4 hours
• Elevation change: 570m downhill
• Difficulty: Moderate 

Although the section from Nocelle to Positano is entirely downhill, please bear in mind that the elevation change is pretty steep, and it can get quite tough on the knees.

Path of the Gods hiking trail map

I included a map of the Path of the Gods hiking route, so that you can get a clearer idea of where all the different towns are on the Amalfi Coast.

Path of the Gods hike logistics

Like a lot of Amalfi Coast trip planning, logistics is definitely something you need to pay attention to for the Path of the Gods. The difficulty isn’t so much the hike, but getting to it (and back from it).

That’s because it’s a linear one-way hike, not a loop, so you’ll have to figure out how to get to Bomerano, and then back again once you’ve completed the hike.

For me personally, I took a bus to Bomerano, did the hike, and then took the ferry back from Positano to the town of Amalfi. From there, I then took the bus directly back to where I was staying. 

You could also drive to Bomerano, hike to Positano, then you can then take the ferry to Amalfi, and public transportation back to Bomerano to pick up your car.

The public buses are fine usually, but you can also pay a bit more to use the private bus company Travelmar.

This takes the stress out of the equation if you’re visiting Italy in summer, when buses are packed and you might not get a seat; any other time of year public buses should be fine.

If you do take public transport, make sure to have your bus tickets beforehand, as you won’t be able to buy it directly on the bus.

Best time to hike the Sentiero degli Dei

Best time of the year

I would say that the best months to hike the Sentiero degli Dei are in late spring and early autumn.

Not only are the temperatures milder, but it is just so much more pleasant hiking without the hordes of tourists that come to Italy in high season. 

Like most Amalfi Coast trekking trips in summer, trails are packed with hikers, it’s hard to get a seat on public transport, and it’s super hot. Not fun!

Winter also isn’t a great time, as the weather is likely to be bad and the trail can sometimes be closed outright.

Best time of the day

Whenever you are planning to go, whether it’s summer, winter or the shoulder season, I would say without a doubt you should leave early in the morning.

I set out super early morning (7AM) to avoid the heat. But as I found out, most of the trail is in the shade in the morning, so you could set off even a little later.

Definitely avoid the afternoon as this is when the trail will be in full sun!

Should you hike Bomerano to Positano or vice versa?

Definitely from Bomerano to Positano. This is the most scenic route, plus it’s the easiest. Hiking the other way round, from Positano to Bomerano, means doing a billion steps uphill.

As a result, it’s much harder and not as scenic as you’ll be looking at the steps in front of you the whole time, and not the sweeping coastline and iconic perched houses of Positano as you get closer to them.

Should you do a guided Path of the Gods hike?

While you don’t need a guide for your Path of the Gods Amalfi adventure, a guide can definitely come in handy.

The trail is well marked and easy to follow, which means there’s not much of a chance of you getting lost. That means you can easily do it alone (or with a buddy, preferably).

That being said, there are guided hikes available if you did want to join a tour.

This means you’ll be hiking with a knowledgeable guide who’ll be able to tell you everything about the hike you’re doing and its surroundings – think myths and legends, wildlife, and hidden viewpoints along the way.

It also means a hassle free trip. This tour, for example, includes all transfers and lunch in a local shepherd’s hut! That way you don’t have to worry about logistics or packing sandwiches to eat mid-hike.

Click here to book your Path of the Gods guided tour, or check out prices & availability in the calendar below!

 

Our experience hiking the Path of the Gods & trail description

We began our adventure along the Path of the Gods trail early in the morning.

Since we were staying in San Lazzaro, fortunately we didn’t have a long bus journey in the morning, and we arrived in Bomerano to start the hike at 7AM.

Finding the starting point from the bus stop is very easy. Just head to the main square in Bomerano, and look for the map showing hiking routes in the area.

A small yellow sign points to “Sentiero degli Dei”. This is the start of the trail, and the official Path of the Gods trailhead, and the route starts just to the right of here.

There are signs like this all throughout the trail, making the route overall easy to follow. Once you make it out on the clifftops, it’s pretty much impossible to get lost.

Just keep walking with the sea to your left and eventually, you’ll reach the village of Nocelle!

The only intersection of the trail that isn’t very clear is the one at Colle La Serra. Before reaching the cliffs, you will walk for around 20 minutes in the greenery and Mediterranean shrubs, without a view.

When you arrive at Colle La Serra, you will see a sign that says to go right for Nocelle, but also to go left. You can’t really go wrong, as both routes will eventually take you to Nocelle.

The difference, according to our Airbnb host, is that the route on the left is harder and more scenic, whilst the one on the right is slightly less scenic and a bit easier.

We opted for the left route as we wanted to have the best views, but it’s up to you what you prefer.

Generally speaking, I found the Path of the Gods to be an easy hike, as it’s mostly flat or downhill, with only a few uphill sections. Combine this with stunning views all the way, and it’s a win-win! 

The only thing I would say you need to prepare yourself for is the final part, where the trail leads from the town of Nocelle to Positano.

These are the billion steps I mentioned earlier. Not a billion actually, but it definitely felt like it. By the end, it really gets tough on the knees. This final section makes it an overall moderate hike, although for the majority it’s fairly easy.

There’s also a not-so-nice section along the main road with traffic (15 to 20 minutes only though). But after the steps and the traffic, you’ll reach super scenic Positano.

Time for a dip in the sea, some ice cream, and a well-deserved rest.

Where to stay to hike the Path of the Gods trail

Realistically, even if you’re staying in the town of Bomerano or Positano, you will still have to do some travelling to get to the start of the hike, or to then return from the endpoint.

As such, as long as you’re close to a public bus stop, it won’t make a huge difference where you stay in the Amalfi Coast. Personally, I suggest Amalfi, as it has the best ferry and public bus connections.

Here are some of the best places to stay for every budget.

Budget: Holidays Baia D’Amalfi – While the words “budget” and “Amalfi Coast” don’t often go together, this hotel is pretty affordable and is located right by the harbour, perfect for ferries and buses!

Click here to book your stay at Holidays Baia D’Amalfi!

Mid-range: Albergo S. Andrea – This hotel has beautiful views over the Duomo of Amalfi. For an affordable mid-range choice, it doesn’t get much better than this!

Check out prices & availability at Albergo S. Andrea in Amalfi here!

Luxury: Le Sirenuse – This is the luxury hotel in Positano by definition. With its gorgeous design, impeccable service, stunning views and central position, it’s the perfect place to treat yourself.

Click here to book your stay at Le Sirenuse in Positano!

Do you need travel insurance to hike the Sentiero Degli Dei?

After my personal experience spending two nights in a private hospital in Tenerife, and having to pay for it out of pocket (it wasn’t cheap), I always recommend getting travel insurance.

You might not end up needing it, but for a small fee you can travel without worries. Personally, I suggest getting your Italy travel insurance with  Heymondo.

Heymondo offers tailor made travel insurance, providing the best value for money for your specific trip. You can also buy it once you’re already abroad and have forgotten about it before flying (which, if you’re anything like me, is quite likely).

Besides the usual cancellation, medical expenses, luggage coverage and general travel insurance services, Heymondo also has a 24/7 doctor chat and instant assistance through their app.

As a Greta’s Travels reader, you get 5% off your Heymondo travel insurance!

Click here to get your 5% off Heymondo travel insurance!

What to pack to hike the Path of the Gods

Besides the usual travel essentials, and whatever is already on your Italy packing list, you don’t really need anything specific to hike the Path of the Gods in Amalfi Coast.

That said, here are a couple absolute must-haves you don’t want to forget.

Fast drying towel – If you want to cool down at the end of the Sentiero Degli Dei, once you arrive in Positano, you’ll need one of these. I like these because they dry quickly and don’t take up a lot of space in your backpack.

Comfortable shoes – While it’s not a particularly challenging hike, it’s still good to do it with comfortable hiking shoes.

Power bank – Whether it’s for Google Maps or taking photos of the unique views of the Amalfi Coast, you don’t want your phone dying on you!

Steel water bottle – Make sure to bring plenty of water with you, as you’re likely to get thirsty while hiking! A bottle like this keeps your water cool, and allows you to refill once you arrive at the center of Positano.

Final thoughts on the Sentiero Degli Dei hiking trail

There you have it, the ultimate guide to hiking the Path of the Gods in Amalfi Coast, Italy! Have you hiked the Sentiero Degli Dei before? How did you find it? Let me know in the comments below!

The Path of the Gods is one of the most beautiful hikes in Southern Italy, with the best views of the Amalfi Coast and even the Island of Capri in the distance.

This clifftop trail at the top of the mountains, surrounded by steep cliffs and with its amazing views, reminded me a bit of the Sentiero Azzurro hike in Cinque Terre.

People often wonder if they should visit Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre, but I’d say that depends on your wider Italy itinerary.

If you’re focusing on the centre and south of Italy, then it makes sense to visit Amalfi Coast, alongside other famous destinations like Rome, Matera and Pompeii.

But if you only have seven days in Italy, and want to see the main cities like Milan, Florence and Venice, which are all in the north, maybe it would be better to save this adventure hiking on the Amalfi Coast for another time, and restrict your Amalfi Coast itinerary to experiences like Capri or Positano boat tours.

I hope you found my Path of Gods hike guide useful, and that it will help you enjoy this gorgeous hike! If you have any questions, just let me know in the comments below!

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