Path of the Gods: the hike you simply cannot skip

If there is one hike on the Amalfi Coast you have probably already heard about, it is the Sentiero degli Dei, or Path of the Gods. And yes, this is one of those rare famous places where I am going to tell you: believe the hype.

High above the coastline, the trail takes you through the Monti Lattari, past old vineyards, Mediterranean vegetation, rocky cliffs and views that almost don't look real. Far below you lies Praiano and the deep blue sea, while Positano, the Sorrentine Peninsula and even Capri slowly appear in the distance. But what makes the Path of the Gods special isn't just the view. It is the feeling of walking through a completely different side of the Amalfi Coast. Up here, far away from the traffic of the coastal road, you suddenly understand how wild and rural this landscape actually is.

Why is it called the Path of the Gods?

Of course, a place this beautiful needs a good legend. According to local tradition, the gods of Olympus once crossed these mountains to save Ulysses from the Sirens, whose mythical home was associated with the Li Galli islands off the coast. Whether you believe the legend or not, the name starts making a lot more sense once you're standing hundreds of metres above the sea. It genuinely feels like somewhere the gods would have walked.

The classic route: Bomerano to Nocelle

For most visitors, this is the route I recommend:

Bomerano, Agerola → Nocelle, Positano

The official CAI 327 trail starts around Piazza Paolo Capasso in Bomerano and finishes in Nocelle, the tiny mountain village above Positano.

Walking in this direction is important. Bomerano sits higher than Nocelle, meaning you are generally descending rather than climbing your way through the mountains. The official CAI section of trail 327 is approximately 5.3 km, with an altitude ranging from around 630 metres near Bomerano to 437 metres at Nocelle. Depending on exactly where you start and finish measuring, travel guides often quote a longer total route of around 6 to 8 km.

Allow around 3 hours for the hike itself, but please don't plan this as something you need to rush through. Stop. Take pictures. Sit somewhere for a while. Look down at the tiny boats beneath you. That's the whole point!

The moment the coast opens up

One of the first special places you'll encounter after leaving Bomerano is Grotta Biscotto, at around 630 metres above sea level. From there, the landscape starts revealing itself more and more. Eventually you reach Colle La Serra, where the trail divides. One option is more exposed but rewards you with better views, while the CAI 327a alternative is less exposed. The paths later reconnect. And this is also where I need to tell you something that Instagram sometimes conveniently forgets:

this is still a mountain trail.

There are rocky and uneven sections, stairs and exposed parts of the path. You don't need to be an experienced mountaineer, but proper footwear matters and I wouldn't personally describe it as a casual little walk for absolutely everyone. If heights make you very uncomfortable, keep that in mind before deciding to go.

What should you bring?

You don't need an enormous hiking backpack, but I would absolutely bring:

• Good walking or hiking shoes

• Plenty of water

• Sun protection

• A hat

• A small snack or panino

• A charged phone or powerbank

  
  

And preferably a small backpack rather than carrying things in your hands.

During the warmer months, the biggest thing I can tell you is:

start early.

The Amalfi Coast sun and an exposed mountain trail are not a combination I would underestimate.

And then you arrive in Nocelle..

Eventually the mountains lead you into Nocelle, a tiny village sitting high above Positano.

And this is where you have choices. You can continue towards Montepertuso and Positano, arrange transport from Nocelle, or extend your walk depending on what you have planned for the day. Just don't make the classic mistake of thinking that arriving in Nocelle automatically means you're standing in the centre of Positano. You're still very high above it. And those famous Amalfi Coast stairs have a way of suddenly making themselves known.

But there is another way..

Now we're getting to the part that is particularly special to me. You can also reach the Path of the Gods from Praiano. And this is a completely different experience.

Instead of beginning high up in Agerola, you climb from the coast towards the mountains and eventually connect with the trail above. It is much more demanding because you first need to gain hundreds of metres of altitude, with plenty of stairs along the way. But if you love hiking and want to experience the landscape rather than simply complete the famous route, it is beautiful. You watch Praiano become smaller and smaller beneath you. The houses disappear. The sounds of the coastal road fade. And suddenly you are standing in those mountains that seem to wrap themselves around the village. For me, this is where the mysterious side of Praiano I always talk about becomes tangible.

My perfect Path of the Gods day

If this is your first time, I would keep it simple.

Start early in Bomerano. Have breakfast before you leave and pick up a proper panino for the trail. Walk slowly towards Nocelle and stop more often than you think you need to. About an hour into the hike, keep an eye out for Antonio Milo, a local shepherd who chose to keep the old mountain way of life alive. His rustic little home sits right along the trail, surrounded by terraces, mountains and his goats. It is exactly the kind of encounter that makes the Sentiero degli Dei about so much more than just the views. He makes the best home made ricotta! And his espresso's are also delish! Take the ridiculous amount of pictures you're inevitably going to take, have something refreshing when you reach Nocelle, and then continue towards Positano if your legs still agree with that decision.

The tip most guides forget

When you reach Colle La Serra, pay attention to the split in the trail. Left takes you along the more exposed and panoramic section. If heights aren't your thing, take the path on the right, CAI 327a. It's the higher alternative route and avoids the most exposed section before joining the main trail again about 1.3 km later.

And don't make the mistake of thinking Nocelle means you've reached Positano. The official Path of the Gods ends high above the town in Nocelle. From there, decide beforehand whether you're taking the local bus or continuing down on foot.

One little detail worth knowing: if you continue down from Nocelle, you can descend towards the coastal road around Arienzo, rather than treating Positano's centre as your only possible finish. Just remember that down on the Amalfi Coast often means a lot of stairs. If you have a beach day in mind afterwards, Arienzo can make a beautiful ending to your hike, but check your access and transport plans beforehand. Your legs will thank you for making that decision before the hike!

One last local note

The Path of the Gods is famous now, and during busy periods you certainly won't have the mountains entirely to yourself. But don't let that make you dismiss it as just another tourist attraction.

Look beyond the people taking pictures and imagine what these paths meant long before anyone came here for an Instagram photo. I remember Praianesi telling me how they would walk up into these mountains to collect fresh milk, or make these climbs as part of everyday life when their families still worked the vineyards high above the coast.

These weren't always hiking trails. They were part of daily life.

The Amalfi Coast isn't only the glamorous terraces of Positano, beach clubs and boats. It's also farmers, shepherds, vineyards carved into the mountains and paths that generations of local families walked long before we came here to admire the view. This is part of the Amalfi Coast too. Perhaps one of its most beautiful parts. And that's exactly why you should walk it. 🤍