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The Amalfi Coast is one of the most beautiful parts of Italy, but it’s also one of the most crowded and expensive.
We decided to find out if it’s possible to experience a quieter side of the dramatic coast without spending a fortune.
It seemed like the best way to do this was on foot. There are many trails carved into the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast and we chose the most famous—the Sentiero degli Dei or Path of the Gods, along a mountain ridge high above the sea.
The hike was stunning, and we also discovered an off-the-beaten-path village where we stayed for a fraction of the price of more popular towns like Positano.
In this post, I share everything you need to know about the Path of the Gods hike including a map, transport details, what to bring, and where to stay.
Contents
- What is the Path of the Gods?
- Path of the Gods Italy Map
- Staying in Bomerano
- Path of the Gods Hike Length and Details
- Hiking the Path of the Gods from Bomerano to Nocelle
- Hiking the Path of the Gods from Nocelle to Bomerano
- Path of the Gods Tips and Alternative Starts
- Getting Around the Amalfi Coast
- How to Get to San Lazzaro and Bomerano
- San Lazzaro: Our Quiet, Affordable Base on the Amalfi Coast
- Accommodation for the Path of the Gods
- Is Path of the Gods Worth It?
- More Italy Posts
What is the Path of the Gods?
The Path of the Gods (or Sentiero degli Dei in Italian) is a clifftop trail above the Amalfi Coast.
The main section of the hike is 6.5 km (4 miles) between the small villages of Bomerano (in Agerola) and Nocelle (above Positano).
There are beautiful views of the sea and coastal towns below along the way.
Both these villages are above the sea, so there isn’t a huge change of elevation between them.
The hike is of moderate difficulty. If you are an experienced hiker, you’ll find it easy, and if you are reasonably fit, you’ll be fine.
The hike becomes more difficult if you start or finish in the coastal towns of Praiano (below Bomerano) or Positano (below Nocelle).
These towns are connected to the trail by steep staircases of over 1500 steps. You can avoid these sections (as we did) and I share transport tips below.
The trail is easy to follow and you don’t need a guide.
That said, if you are staying in Sorrento you might want to join this small-group Path of the Gods tour from Sorrento. Otherwise, it’ll take you at least two hours on two buses to get to the start of the hike.
Path of the Gods Italy Map
We’ve marked the Path of the Gods starting point in Bomerano and other key points on this Path of the Gods map.
For a more detailed map, see the Bomerano to Nocelle trail on AllTrails. You can also find different variants.
You can view it for free, but we have an AllTrails+ subscription so we can download maps for offline use. We use it for hikes all around the world.
Staying in Bomerano
We stayed in San Lazzaro in Agerola, a collection of villages high up above the Amalfi Coast. It was a 15-minute bus ride to the start of the walk in Bomerano.
Bomerano is an even better location for the Path of Gods hike.
B&B A 2 Passi Dagli Dei is only 100 metres from the start of the hike and the lovely rooms are inexpensive and highly rated.
If you are priced out of the coastal towns and want a convenient location for the hike, Bomerano is a great choice.
You can read more about our stay in San Lazzaro and accommodation suggestions in various places on the hike below.
Path of the Gods Hike Length and Details
- You can start the Path of the Gods hike from Bomerano or Nocelle, or the coastal towns of Praiano or Positano (but be prepared for lots of stairs). There are more details on alternative routes below.
- There are signs from Bomerano piazza to the start of the trail. See our Google Map above for the trailhead.
- The trail is easy to follow—look out for the red and white lines that mark it along the way.
- From Bomerano to Nocelle was 4 miles (6.5km) one way with an elevation gain of 230 metres (754 feet).
- Allow around four hours to do the route as we did from Bomerano to Nocelle and back, which includes time for breaks. Or two hours for a one-way hike.
- Allow around three hours if you hike one way from Bomerano to Positano.
- We highly recommend getting an early start to avoid the heat and crowds. 7.30am from Bomerano was ideal.
Hiking the Path of the Gods from Bomerano to Nocelle
To avoid the crowds and heat we set out early—taking the 6.50am bus from San Lazzaro to Bomerano.
We had a cornetto (croissant) breakfast in a bar in Bomerano’s piazza before setting out on the trail at 7.30am.
At first, mist obscured the views of the sea, but it was still a gorgeous hike past towering limestone mountains, colourful wildflowers, and ancient abandoned stone houses, and through forests and meadows of long grass.
Farmers grow vines on terraces carved into the hillside and still use donkeys for transport along the narrow pathways.
Eventually, the mist burned away and the deep blue sea revealed itself far below, with views of Positano, its houses clinging to the cliff.
What surprised us most was how peaceful the trail was. It took us 1 hour 45 mins to get to Nocelle and we didn’t see anyone else until the last 15 minutes—all that beauty, all to ourselves!
Nocelle is a tiny village and we couldn’t find an open bar to have a drink and rest.
There are public toilets by the church downhill (in Piazza Santa Croce), and on the terrace outside we discovered that Lemon Point was opening.
This cute stall sells fresh lemonade from local lemons—just what we needed.
Hiking the Path of the Gods from Nocelle to Bomerano
In Nocelle there are signs to continue the trail down steep stairs to Positano (or you can take a bus).
As we’d have had to take two buses from there to get back to San Lazzaro, we decided to walk back to Bomerano instead.
At 10am the Path of the Gods was much busier, and as we were facing into the sun, much hotter.
The trail is a mix of up and downhill sections, and it felt a little steeper on the way back, but that could have been because we were more tired.
We’re glad we made the return journey as we got a different perspective on the trail and saw things we hadn’t noticed before.
Back in Bomerano, we would have had to wait 1.5 hours for the bus to San Lazzaro, so we decided to walk instead, which took us 40 minutes along a fairly quiet road.
Then it was time for a big lunch of pasta and wine and a well-deserved siesta.
Path of the Gods Tips and Alternative Starts
Starting in Praiano
If you are staying in Praiano, it makes sense to start the trail from here. You won’t miss any of the best bits of the hike by connecting to the Path of Gods from Praiano, but you do need to be fit.
To get to the trail from Praiano, you’ll have a steep climb up 1900 steps which makes the hike much more strenuous, especially if it’s hot (definitely start early!).
I’ve heard mixed reports on how long these stairs take—anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours depending on your fitness level.
Expect the total hike from Praiano to Nocelle to take from 2 hours 15 minutes to 3.5 hours. From Nocelle you could hike back or continue to Positano (see below) and take the bus back to Praiano.
Here’s the AllTrails map for the Path of the Gods from Praiano to Positano. It says it’s a 6km (3.7 mile) route with 571m (1873 feet) of elevation gain that takes an average of 3 hours 9 minutes to complete.
Path of the Gods from Positano
If you start the hike in Bomerano and want to finish in Positano, you have two options:
- Walk down the 1700 steps from Nocelle to Positano (approximately 45 minutes), which most people report as surprisingly challenging and tough on your knees. The views are good, though. At the end of the stairs, you reach Arienzo then have to walk another 15 minutes along the road to the centre of Positano.
- Take the bus from Nocelle to Positano.
There are a few options on how to hike the Path of the Gods from Positano if you are staying there:
- Hike up the 1700 steps to Nocelle—only for the fit! Walk from there to Bomerano and either walk back or take the bus back via Amalfi.
- Take the bus up to Nocelle and continue as above.
- Take the bus or ferry to Amalfi and connect to the 5080 SITA bus to Bomerano. This takes at least two hours.
- Drive to Bomerano (if you have a car), which takes about one hour, and walk to Nocelle and back.
- Hire a taxi to drive you to Nocelle or Bomerano then walk back. This private transfer from Positano to Bomerano costs from €165.
See below for more details on getting around.
Path of the Gods from Sorrento
To get to the Path of the Gods hike from Sorrento you have to take the SITA bus to Amalfi and then change to another bus to Bomerano. This takes at least two hours.
Walk from Bomerano to Nocelle then walk or bus down to Positano. You can take the bus back to Sorrento from Positano.
It’s easier to take this Path of the Gods tour from Sorrento which includes return trip minibus transfers and a guide for the hike.
What to Pack
- It’s a rocky, uneven trail so you need decent shoes. Most people wear hiking shoes or boots, but we were happy in hiking sandals—Simon always travels with Teva sandals, and I like the Teva Verra sandals, which are pretty enough for Italian cities but comfortable and grippy enough for hiking.
- Take water and snacks. You can refill at a water tap near the beginning where the trail connects with the Praiano stairs, and also in Nocelle and Bomerano. We always travel with a lightweight, foldable 1 litre Vapur water bottle.
- Pack sunglasses, sun hat, and suncream.
- Don’t forget travel insurance in case anything goes wrong. An affordable option available worldwide is SafetyWing or Heymondo has more comprehensive coverage including cancellation.
When to Hike the Path of the Gods
We visited in early June and had sunny days and 30ºC (86ºF) temperatures.
It was fine when we first started, but we did feel the heat after 10am. I would still recommend this time of year as good weather is likely and it’s not as crowded as July or August.
Spring (April and May) and autumn (September and October) are the best times to hike the Path of the Gods. Spring is especially lovely as the wildflowers are in bloom.
I would avoid August if possible as this is when the Italian population heads to the coast and it’s very hot.
You can hike the Path of the Gods in winter, but many hotels and restaurants close and the weather can be cool and rainy.
Getting Around the Amalfi Coast
Car
Renting a car is the most convenient way to get around, but it has some downsides. The roads are windy, very busy in high season, and parking is limited and expensive in popular towns (especially Positano).
There is plenty of free parking in Bomerano though (marked on Google Maps).
To make matters worse, traffic is limited at peak times on the main SS163 coast road between Positano and Vietri sul Mare.
The new rules do not apply to taxis, buses, and locals, but they do apply to rental cars. You can only drive the road on alternate days—vehicles with licence plates ending in odd numbers are not allowed on odd number days and even numbers are not allowed on even number days.
The restriction applies between 10am and 6pm from mid-June until the end of September. Some April dates (around Easter) and other long weekends are also affected.
If you have a reservation at a hotel, you are allowed to drive the SS163 on any day to check in and out.
This makes driving around the Amalfi Coast much more complicated, so I recommend using public transport where possible.
If you do decide to rent a car, we usually use Booking.com Car Rentals to find the best deals.
SITA Bus
We got around by bus (there are no trains along the Amalfi Coast), which is inexpensive but rather slow and with limited schedules.
In high season, buses can be crowded, but we had no problems with routes from San Lazzaro.
The local bus company is SITA and you need to buy bus tickets in advance from bars or small shops. It’s best to buy them the day before as you’ll want an early start for the hike.
Buses aren’t very frequent so check the timetables here.
Mobility Amalfi Bus from Nocelle to Positano
There’s a local bus from Nocelle to Positano if you don’t want to walk down the stairs. These are run by Mobility Amalfi Coast (not SITA) and tickets can be purchased in advance or onboard (for a little extra).
They run about once an hour in high season and take around 25 minutes. You can find the latest timetable on their Facebook page.
Note that the 6.20am bus from Positano to Nocelle only runs on school days. The next bus at 7.10am would be an early enough start for the hike, though.
From Positano the bus departs from Piazza dei Mulini.
Ferry
You can also take ferries between the coastal towns (Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi and Salerno) from April to October. Check timetables at Travelmar.
The ferry from Positano to Amalfi takes 25 minutes and currently costs €10.
This would be an alternative way to reach Bomerano (switching to the 5080 SITA bus in Amalfi), but you wouldn’t be able to get an early start as the first ferry is at 10am.
How to Get to San Lazzaro and Bomerano
If you decide to stay in Agerola, you can reach San Lazzaro and Bomerano by SITA bus from Naples (in the direction Agerola or Amalfi) which takes about two hours.
They aren’t very frequent so check the timetable 5080 here (choose the region Campania in the drop-down menu in the top left).
In Naples, the bus leaves from near the train station outside the Ramada hotel.
We couldn’t find anywhere to buy bus tickets as the sign at the bus stop listing bars where you could buy them was out of date and we ran out of time. The bus driver let us on anyway!
If you have a car, driving to San Lazzaro or Bomerano from Naples or further north is a viable option as you’ll drive inland rather than on the coastal road so you’ll avoid the high season traffic limits.
You could then leave your car at the hotel and travel the coast by bus and ferry.
San Lazzaro: Our Quiet, Affordable Base on the Amalfi Coast
Accommodation is the biggest challenge for an affordable Amalfi Coast trip, so I turned to Airbnb and used the map view to find rooms close to the hiking trail.
Praiano and Positano were way too expensive, but I was amazed to find a lovely room with private bathroom on AirBnB in the village of San Lazzaro for just €65.
When everything on the coast was well over €100, it seemed too good to be true. (UPDATE: it seems it was too good to be true, as it’s now no longer available).
Another great option recommended by a reader is Beata Solitudo, which offers options for all budgets, whether private rooms in its inn, shared rooms in its hostel, or camping.
I couldn’t find out much about the village—other than it’s in Agerola, a collection of villages that includes Bomerano where the hike starts—but we find it’s hard to go wrong in Italy.
We made the right decision. San Lazzaro may not be as attractive as the famous towns in the area, but it has an understated Italian charm.
Instead of souvenir shops and tourist menus, we enjoyed morning cornetti and evening aperitivo with locals.
It’s not the place to come for beaches, but there are views of the sea far down below and plenty of hikes nearby.
Prices are much lower than the popular destinations—we enjoyed delicious, inexpensive pasta at family-run Trattoria Da Gigino and even at the fancier Leonardo’s, pizzas were very affordable.
San Lazzaro is not the most convenient location for exploring the coast—buses are infrequent and it takes an hour to get down to Amalfi where you can change for other places like Ravello and Positano.
But it is only a 15-minute bus ride from the start of the Path of the Gods in Bomerano.
Accommodation for the Path of the Gods
San Lazzaro and Bomerano in Agerola
If you want to stay close to the start of the hike and are on a limited budget, Agerola (the collection of villages that includes San Lazzaro and Bomerano) is ideal.
In Bomerano, the highly-rated and affordable B&B A 2 Passi Dagli Dei is right at the start of the hike.
The rooms are comfortable and have air conditioning, a delicious breakfast served in the garden is included, and onsite parking is free (or it’s close to the bus stop).
We stayed in a lovely Airbnb room with private bathroom which was clean, comfortable and excellent value (UPDATE: sadly, no longer available). From the centre of San Lazzaro you’ll need to take a bus or walk 40 minutes to the start of the hike.
You can search on Booking.com for more accommodation options in Agerola.
Praiano
If you’d prefer to stay on the coast but within walking distance of the Path of Gods, you have the option of Praiano or Positano. Praiano is a quieter and more affordable option than Positano.
Casa Stella Marina and Il Corallo are two guesthouses with stylish rooms with balconies and sea views. They are near the start of the stairs up to the Path of Gods.
Less expensive options with sea view rooms are Hotel Villa Bellavista and Open Gate.
You can search for more hotels and B&Bs in Praiano here.
Positano
Positano is the busiest and most expensive place on the Amalfi Coast, and you’ll have many steps to contend with as it’s built on a hillside.
It is absolutely stunning, though.
Alcione Residence is centrally located and has gorgeous sea views from the rooms and terrace where breakfast is served.
A cheaper option is Villa Palumbo B&B, which has a central location and rooms with balconies and Positano views.
You can search for more hotels and B&Bs in Positano here.
Is Path of the Gods Worth It?
Yes, Path of the Gods is definitely worth hiking. It’s a beautiful trail that gives you a different perspective on the stunning Amalfi coastline.
If you start early, it’s also a peaceful escape from the crowds. We highly recommend adding the hike to your Amalfi itinerary.
San Lazzaro is an unusual Amalfi base, but it’s convenient for the trail and we loved having a quiet place to retreat to after visiting touristy towns like Amalfi and Ravello.
If you love to hike and are on a budget, it’s worth considering staying in San Lazzaro or Bomerano.
More Italy Posts
- Dos and Don’ts of Eating in Italy
- Procida: The Secret Island in the Bay of Naples
- 11 Stunning Things to Do in the Italian Riviera (Plus Where to Stay)
- Hiking from Camogli to San Fruttuoso on the Italian Riviera
- 17 Towns Not To Miss in Puglia
- Salento, Italy: The Ultimate Travel Guide
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- Matera: The Most Spectacular City in Italy
- 29 Unusual Things to Do in Rome to Escape the Crowds
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Is it ok to campout in a tent while hiking in southern Italy? I’m considering hiking the E1 route and include some of these hikes.
If I were to take the bus from Nocelle to Positano, is that bus operated by Sita?
No, that bus is operated by Mobility Amalfi. See the latest timetable here: https://www.facebook.com/Mobilityamalficoast/
Thanks very informative! Just wonder is there a way to leave most of your luggage at a point and pick it up on the end of the 8 day walk? Even if it mean to go back by bus.
Also what is the level of experience needed for the trail.
Wow! This is incredibly informative!
We will be staying in Positano in a few weeks. We have a rental car. We will be with relatives who can probably only do about 4 miles total but I would love to do part of Path of the Gods.
Is it possible to park in Bomerano and walk 2 miles to a vista and then back? In other words a shortened version of the 8 miles (total) that you talked about.
Also is it possible to drive to a peak Vista area To take in the beauty? Not that I want to drive but just in case?
Thank you for your wonderful post!
Yes, I definitely think it’s worth walking just a section of the trail. There’s no particular vista—the views are great most of the way. If you are staying in Positano it might be easier to get the short bus ride up to Nocelle and walk from there and back. But either end is beautiful.
There are beautiful views all over the Amalfi Coast so I don’t think you’ll have a problem finding them as you drive around. The view from Ravello (above the town of Amalfi) is particularly good.
I also love the view of Positano from a boat so you could go on a boat trip or just take the ferry to Amalfi.
Have a wonderful time!
Hello,
Due to my husband’s work schedule, we could only begin the hike around 2 pm. Is that too late? Is there a better way (route/direction) to do it when starting that late? Thank you in advance!
It depends on what time of year you are doing it but assuming it’s summer, my main concern would be how hot it’ll be. If you can I would start later when it starts to cool down a bit. If not just make sure you wear hats and take plenty of water. I’m not sure it matters too much which direction. Enjoy!
Hi! I’m wondering if you think Path of the Gods would be safe to go on alone? I’m traveling with friends and they aren’t keen on hikes but I totally am and this one looks amazing. We’re planning for end of May for our first trip to Italy, staying in Praiano. I wasn’t sure if there would be many others on the trail in the morning (7-8am) that might make me feel more at ease.
I think it’d be fine. You may want to start a bit later (8am ish) if you want there to be more people on the trail. Enjoy!
Hi
We are staying in Ravello.. with no car. We are in average shape- 55 years old with our 14 year old son. How do you recommend we get here for an early start and back? Can we combine it with Paerio. If we take buses to the start.. maybe we can arrange for a taxi pick up? Or maybe less expensive to tent a car for the day from Ravello in order to enjoy this hike.
Thank you for any details and insight you can share.
I’d probably get a taxi to the start in Bomerano as otherwise you’d need two buses (via Amalfi). Then at the end either walk or bus down from Nocelle to Positano, explore there a little, then take the ferry to Amalfi then the bus up to Ravello.
Hiring a car isn’t worth the hassle especially with the new traffic restrictions.
Enjoy!
Hi Erin,
My daughter( 22 years old) and I want visit Positano in Dec 2021.
Do you recommend going there in December?
Where would you suggest we stay in December due to it being a colder month?
We will have no transport, will that be a problem?
Thank you
Diana
We haven’t been in December, but if you don’t mind colder weather (10-15c), I think it’s worth visiting at any time of year. I would look for accommodation in Positano as you might be able to get a good deal in off season. You can get around by bus. Enjoy!
Great info. We are heading there in July 22. Can you email me the file so I can print it as a reference. Tganks
Please update your prices for San Lazzaro accommodations: “amazed to find this lovely room with private bathroom in the village of San Lazzaro for just €40 ($47).” It’s now $97/night.
I’m getting the current price as 65 euros a night including cleaning/fees. I’ve updated the post though.
Thanks for the info on the trail looking forward to doing it tomorrow – for anyone else looking for cheap places to stay, I’m staying at Camping Beata Solitudo right now (they have a website) in San Lazzaro for 18 Euros a night in their 8 bed (4/4) dorms – cheapest in the Amalfi region and very well looked after.
Sounds like you’ve found a great deal and we loved San Lazzaro. Enjoy the hike!
This is great info. But I am very sad to see a post like this about San lazzaro !!
Everything you say about it is true.
I found it by accident after an Airbnb canceled on me and I panicked to book something. After being there and experiencing its charm I was hoping to keep it a secret!! What a wonderful retreat and the best sunset in the world!
If you’re an extraordinary shape you can take the stairs behind Leonard’s restaurant straight down to Amalfi!
It’s an amazing and beautiful hike but it’s brutal. 2 hours down stairs the whole time! Bus back up to San Lazaro is only two Euro.
Thank you very much for the amazing and very informative post.
I’m planning on doing this hike with my family. Doing both ways it’ll be too much, but I also don’t want to spend 2 hours in the bus to come back, so I think we’ll only do half of it. In that case, would you recommend to do from Bomerano or Nocelle? Which one is prettier?
Really appreciate. Best wishes!
Either way is beautiful – I would start from whichever end is most convenient for you. Enjoy!
Hi Erin!
I cannot express how much your blog has helped my sister and I plan our trip to Italy. We are staying at a hostel in San Lazzaro and want to hike the path of the gods from the start in Bomerano. For the 15 min bus you took to get to the start of the trail, were you able to find a timetable for the bus ahead of time or did you ask someone there for information? We are considering bus vs. walking.
Thank you for your help!
Nicole
I think we got the timetable from the bus stop but I can’t remember exactly. You can always have a look the day you arrive and ask your hostel if it’s not clear. I’d recommend getting an early morning bus if possible. Then you can always walk back if you have the energy and your return doesn’t coincide with a bus.
Make sure you buy your bus tickets in advance from one of the shops or bars.
We are staying in Praiano and planning to make the hike, but really would prefer to avoid the 1900 step ascent to begin the hike. Any suggestions for an alternative way to get to the start of the Path?
As far as I know, the only way is to take a bus to Amalfi then switch for another bus to Bomerano. Check the schedules as they aren’t very frequent.
Or you could get the bus to Positano then another bus to Nocelle and walk it in that direction to Bomerano. From Bomerano walk back to Nocelle and return the way you came or take the bus down to Amalfi and on to Praiano.
If staying in Ravello and want to do the Path of Gods and return to Ravello the same day, what would you recommend?
You could get the bus to Amalfi, change to another bus to Bomerano and start the hike from there to Nocelle. From Nocelle take the bus down to Positano or walk down the many steps. Explore Positano then take the ferry or bus to Amalfi and the bus to Ravello. It’ll be a fairly long day so I recommend starting early. Enjoy!
Excellent photograpy ! well exposed and sharp I refer to your Amalfi coast hike . Please e mail your camera make and model many thanks Regards David Hill.
These photos were taken with the Olympus Omd-em5 mirrorless camera. Best wishes, Erin.
My husband and I are traveling to Italy at the end of September. We are planning a trip from Naples to Bomerano to do the Path of the Gods hike, see the gardens in Ravello, and see the Amalfi coast. What are our options for traveling from Naples to Bomerano and then back to Naples at the end so we can catch the train back to Rome for our flight back to US? If we stay in Bomerano, what is the best way to get to Ravello? Once we hike the Path, do we really need to book a tour to do the Amalfi coast drive (or will we get all the views from the hike alone?) and could we do this from Bomerano or would it be better to drive the coast on our way from Naples to Bomerano (in which case, would you advise a formal tour or just a driver?) Thanks!
Hi Sunita
On our trip we did the same. We took the bus from Naples train station to San Lazzaro (the stop after Bomerano) —I have given instructions and linked to the timetable (they aren’t frequent so do look it up) in the “How to Get to San Lazzaro and Bomerano” section of this post.
We had 3 nights in San Lazzaro – on one day we did the Path of the Gods hike and on the other we visited Ravello. To get to Ravello you have to take the bus to Amalfi town and change to another bus there. It’s also a SITA bus so you can find the timetable in the same place as above.
There’s no need to do a tour and there’s no “Amalfi Coast drive” as such. You’ll see plenty of the coast if you visit Amalfi and Ravello and do the hike. You could also take the bus (or walk if you are keen) down to Positano from the end of the hike at Nocelle, as that’s a very popular and beautiful town (but crowded) on the coast.
Rather than walking back to Bomerano from Positano or Nocelle (as we did), you could even take the ferry from Positano to Amalfi and then get the bus to Bomerano from there. It would be a longish day but you’d see a lot and it is nice to see the coast from a boat (more enjoyable than in a bus or car on those winding roads).
Have a wonderful trip! Erin
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this information. My husband and I are traveling a month in Italy this Fall including 4 days on the Amalfi coast. We had not heard of this hike and are looking forward to doing it following your fabulous directions.
The Fall will be a lovely time to do the hike. Enjoy!
Hello – anyone recently take the ferry from Naples to Amalfi then bus to Bomerano to hike the Path then your recommended best way back to Naples and time frames? thanks!
We haven’t done this but you could walk from Bomerano to Nocelle and back, like we did, and then get the bus from Bomerano to Naples. I link to the bus timetable in this post.
Or you could walk/bus from Nocelle to Positano then ferry/bus to Sorrento then a train to Naples from there.
Are you sure there is a ferry from Naples to Amalfi? You might have to change in Sorrento.
Good luck with it!
Hello, I need a little advice. I plan on hiking the path of the Gods here in a week, and I booked a room at B&B Valle Degli Dei address: (Via Paipo, 26, 80051 Pianillo Città Metropolitana di Napoli, Italy). I would also like to take a look around Positano on that same day. Do you have any tips or recommendations or ways of transport i should use to get to the trail head and to Positano and back to the B&B? It is just challenging trying to envision everything on a map and what types of transportation im going to use, and I will be going alone, and it is my first time out of the country, but this has been on my bucket list for ages now, so im kind of nervous about all of it. Any help at all would be extremely appreciated. Thank you so much.
Hi Matthew,
It looks like your B&B is just a 2km walk from the trailhead in Bomerano, so I would probably just walk to the start. Start early to fit it all in.
You can then walk the Path of the Gods from Bomerano to Nocelle. From there you can walk down the many steps to Positano or take the local bus. Have lunch and explore Positano and then you can either retrace your steps (if you are feeling very energetic) or take the bus or ferry to Amalfi and the bus from there to Bomerano.
These buses aren’t very frequent so look up schedules in advance. I am sure the host of your B&B would be able to help you with timetables etc – from the reviews it sounds like he’s very helpful.
I know it all seems really confusing, but it’ll make more sense when you are there.
Have a wonderful trip! Erin
Thank you so much for this excellent report. I never heard of this trail until a member of an Ibiza group posted a hike picture. It looks like a bucket list item for any nature / hiking fan. Hoping to go in the next year or two.
I hope you make it there Robin!
Hi there!
We did the path of the gods 2 weeks ago. We started in Bomerano to Positano. Somehow we must have missed the marking and ended up in Praiano. Our last location on the trail before we headed to Praiano was at the Church with a guy selling refreshments. When we got back on the trail from Praiano, we ended up back at the church again. I am trying to see where we went wrong. Not sure if you have any idea. Nonetheless, we enjoyed the hike very much!
I’m not sure how that happened. Are you sure you were in Praiano? The church with the lemonade stand is in Nocelle on the opposite end of the trail from the Praiano steps. You would have had to walk down many steps to end up in Praiano.
Glad you enjoyed it anyway!
Hi!
How did you get to your airbnb in San Lazzaro?
Thanks,
Melanie
To Bomerano we took the bus which takes 15 mins and on the way back we walked (40 minutes). From Naples we also took the bus – see the bottom of this post for details.
We definitely walked down the Praiano steps because we ended up taking a taxi to Positano. For some reason, we didn’t see the other trail heading to Positano from the church. Could be because it was also getting dark. Thank you for your helpful info!
Hi! Thank you for sharing your experience, your whole trip looked amazing and got me even more excited for ours! We leave for Italy in a few weeks and plan to do the hike. I was wondering if we would need a guide or not but your post helped me see that we do not, yay! Question about having a car though–we are actually staying in Naples and plan on having a car, is parking super inconvenient to find? Are there signs that denote areas that we can and cannot park at? And for the hike, where would you suggest be a good starting point where we can park? A part of me thinking we just bus to where you guys started and start there, end in Pasitono and bus back from there. hm, things to think about lol.
We have never driven in this area so I can’t say for sure, but if I were you and coming from Naples I would probably drive to Bomerano and park there. Parking there should be easy (see info here: https://www.tripadvisor.com/FAQ_Answers-g187779-d678798-t3466076-What_is_the_best_place_to_park_in_Bomerano_to.html) especially if you arrive early (which I highly recommend).
You can then either do what we did and hike the path both ways and end up back in Bomerano or get the bus from Positano to Bomerano (although that will involve a change in Amalfi and could take up to 2 hours).
Enjoy!
Hi, thanks for the nice info! Dit I understand right that you can’t get lost on the tracks if you are doing the path by yourself with 2 people? That’s were I’m always afraid of! And we are staying in praiano. Do you recommend to start from there or do we miss a big part of the route if we start from there? On the map it seems a big part of the trail from boomerang to praiano. This is my question because it takes almost 1-1,5 hour to go by bus to boomerang from praiano. I really look forward to your advice! Thanks in advance!!!
We have terrible sense of direction and managed fine! It’s pretty obvious. I would just hike from Praiano – you’ll still have plenty of gorgeous views and the buses are slow and infrequent. Enjoy!
Ciao Erin,
Would it be more convenient to have a rental car?
Thanks,
Susie
Susie…we had a rental car. Driving in the Amalfi is quite an experience…I will not soon forget. Big buses, lots of cars, and scooters, very small roads, and limited parking. That said, we are glad we had the car.
It definitely would be more convenient as we found buses quite slow and infrequent, but as Julie says you need to be a confident driver on those windy roads!
Hi there…thanks for all the information and pictures. My husband and I are going to hike the Path of the Gods. We will be in the area Sept 16-21. We looked at excursions through Airbnb. But after reading your article, I think we will go it on our own. I like the suggestion to go early to avoid lots of people. We will start in Praiano and I see there is a starting point. Do those steps from there take you up to Bomerano to start the trail? Also, I saw your recommendation for the restaurant Da Gigino. It looks like a place right up our alley. Is that a place we could go to after the hike, or is it off the beaten path too much? Bus, walk, etc? Thank you for the information!!
Hi Julie, it’s an easy hike to do by yourself. The steps from Praiano lead up to the trail just after Bomerano so you won’t pass through the village. From the top of the steps you can hike to Nocelle and back, like we did, or continue down to Positano (by stairs or bus) and get the bus back from there. You can see a rough map here: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1jqJ6dwOEbHaaVwki9J22uzNWmNo&ll=40.62108324217234%2C14.52135450000003&z=14
Da Gigino is in San Lazzaro and would take too long to get to (by bus from Bomerano) and it’s not really worth going that far out of your way for.
Enjoy the hike!
Hi!! Love your page! Its filled with so much valuable information. I’m planning a week on the Amalfi coast and trying to decide where to stay. I really love the towns up high for the amazing view and have picked Ravello. Is this going to work in terms of getting around the area? We are planning a day at Capri, a day at Positano, doing the walk of the Gods one day and basically just exploring the area other days. I’d prefer one place to stay as a base. Do you think Ravello would work well to do this? Thanks!!!
Ravello is very pretty. I think it is possible to visit those places on a day trip but the bus rides might be quite long as you’ll have to go via Amalfi — it could take 1.5 hours to get to Positano or the other end of the hike.
You might want to combine the hike with Positano i.e get the bus to Bomerano (via Amalfi), hike to Positano, spend the afternoon there then bus back (again via Amalfi). You’ll have to check current bus times – maybe ask your hotel for up to date info. I’m not sure about getting to Capri but I think that would be quite far.
This is more of a transportation query: we are staying in Nocelle (very close to this Path of the Gods trail!) but we were wondering what public transportation is like for everything else (we are hoping to do Sorrento one evening and Positano a few times etc, as those stairs do not tempt us at all haha)? Are the buses easy to understand? Do the drivers speak English at all? Any advice for getting around would be very much appreciated :)
Thanks!
The buses are fairly easy – you just have to buy your ticket in advance from a local shop or bar. I’m sure they’d speak enough English so you’d know where to get off.
I would check bus times in advance as they’re not very frequent (especially on Sundays). This site lists SITA bus schedules: https://www.positano.com/en/bus-schedule or you can check the bus stop once you are there.
I think for Nocelle-Positano it’s a different bus company but they should be fairly regular. You will probably have to change in Positano to get to Sorrento.
We haven’t taken the bus on either of those routes so I’d recommend asking you hotel for advice. Good luck and enjoy!
Hi. I just arrived in Naples and have to depart on July 5th. I walked the Camino d Santiago last year and this trail of the gods looks exactly like what I need right now. I am coming off a very stressful trip. I read your whole page but still a little confused how to arrive from Naples and return. Can you leave the same day as the hike or do you need to arrive the night before?
Thanks
You technically could do it as a day trip from Naples but it takes about 2 hours on the bus to Bomerano. Check the timetable for Bus 5080 (Choose Campania from the drop down list) here: http://www.sitasudtrasporti.it/orari
The buses aren’t very frequent so you’d have to see if the times work for you. It would probably make more sense to walk all the way to Positano then get the bus (or possibly a ferry) back to Naples.
Personally I’d prefer to spend the night there and get an early start on the hike but it is doable. Enjoy!
This is great information. my wife and I are in our mid 60s and have been thinking about this trip/hike for quite awhile. we dont want to rent a car on this trip so my questions are…is November a good month for staying in and around Bomerano and hiking the Path of the Gods. does the bus system run regularly in november between towns? are places to stay at that time of year easily available so we can move around when the feeling hits and lastly is there a train or some form of public conveyance from Rome to the Amalfi Coast as we would fly in to Rome. Thanks
November will definitely be quiet and cool (good for hiking) but you might end up with rain. Some hotels will be closed but I’m sure you’ll find places to stay (without needing to book far in advance) on Booking.com and Airbnb. Prices will be lower at that time of year.
You can take the train from Rome to Naples (check the Trenitalia.com site) then the SITA bus as detailed at the bottom of this post. Buses should still run in November but may be less frequent so check times in advance.
Have a great trip!
I read on the website that the trail was mostly flat and for children to grandparents friendly. We found it to be the opposite, very rocky and steep.We came upon many much younger people complaining the same.If the website had given a true picture of the trail,we would of not gone on it.
Thank you this is exactly the info I was looking for! I’m also going in early June with my family, me and my siblings are all young and in good shape but our mom isn’t particularly so was worried the hike would be too long to do a round-trip and the idea of waiting for those buses back to the airbnb was not appealing. Do you know man kilometers the whole hike is round trip? I’ve also hear d the end near Nocelle is closed because of a rock slide, has anyone heard anything about this? Do you also have any info about doing the hike down to Praiano from Bomerano? Would this be any shorter/more scenic/easier in any way or is Praiano worth going down to for our mid-way break since we wouldn’t actually go into Nocelle or Positano due to the closure anyway? Sorry for all the questions, just trying to weigh our options!
It was about 6.5km each way from Bomerano to Nocelle. The stairs to Praiano were quite near the start of the the trail from Bomerano so if you went down there you wouldn’t be walking along the coast very much. I would also imagine it would be harder, especially if you came back up the stairs again as it’s very steep.
Even if you only walked half the way from Bomerano to Nocelle and turned back it would be a lovely hike. Enjoy!
Great tips… thanks so much! We plan to stay in Positano and good to hear that we can easily follow the trail on our own, without need for a guide. We will definitely start early to avoid the crowds! Would you recommend starting from Nocelle and going out and back, or taking bus/taxi to Bomerono and hiking back to Positano? Our goal is to escape some crowds…
It depends which one you can get to earliest – starting early is key, although I also think there are less people starting in Bomerano. I would probably start early from Nocelle and hike it both ways.
Hi, thank you for a very helpful review of Amalfi trekking! Do we have to buy some kind of trekking tickets before entering the trails (like in Cinque Terre trek)?
No, there’s no charge for the trail. Happy hiking!
Planning to go next year and a short scenic hike looks perfect! And THANK YOU for the picture detailed map it will come in handy!! I will be travelling by car, any parking close by?
We definitely recommend it! Bomerano wasn’t particularly busy so I’m sure you’ll find parking somewhere. Have a fantastic trip!
There is a large car park on the road from the main Bomerano Piazza to Amalfi road. About 500 metres from the piazza on the right hand side
Saw it on google satellite! Thanks
Hello!
Very helpful post. We are going to do the hike to Positano next September and are looking forward to follow your instructions. Just one question: is travel insurance mandatory to Italy? We are coming from USA. I`d appreciate if you could help us out with this question. Thanks!
Travel insurance isn’t mandatory, it’s just a good idea. Have a great trip!
What a fantastic web site you’ve created! Beautiful photos and such practical, helpful information. Looking forward even more to Amalfi in September. Thank you for all your time in doing this.
Thank you Sharon and have an amazing time in Amalfi!
Another inspired vlog on utube is Nicki Positano. The daily life of a resident of Positano.
Here is some reliable information on catching the 5080 bus in Naples, valid on 12 May 2017.
The bus starts at the SITA terminus alongside Via Cristoforo Columbo opposite the end of Via Marchesse Campodisola. If you can’t find the latter on maps, the Universita Metro station is at the other end. Don’t expect a flashy terminus building; the terminus is nothing more than four or five Sita buses lined up in a corner of a car park. There is a bar and ticket office in the building behind the car park, but the ticket office was closed at 8 am, The man marshaling the buses seemed to be selling tickets.
The bus stopped only once in central Naples. This was on Via Galileo Ferraris, near Piazza Garibaldi. The stop is about 200m from Corso Arnoldo Lucci, on the right (looking away from Corso A L) and just before an ESSO filling station. It is marked by a Sita bus stop sign.
Don’t forget you need tickets before you board and you must validate your tickets using the machine on the bus.
Don’t trust the information about bus stops on the Sita web site!
Thanks for the info Mike.
We are two couples in our fifties. We are in so so shape and don’t plan on doing the whole hike. We were just thinking of doing an early morning walk for an hour or two and then turning around. We’d like to start in Positano (our base). Is this advisable for a leisurely walk (we are not usual hikers)? Reading some of the info posted about this makes me a little uneasy. Thanks!
I think you’ll be fine, it’s really not that difficult. Just make sure you wear decent shoes, take water and start early. You might want to take the bus to Nocelle and hike from there to avoid the steep steps up from Positano. Enjoy – it’s a beautiful walk.
Thank you for this great information and gorgeous pictures. We are in the very early planning stages for a trip to this area, and this hike just got added to the to-do list!
It’s definitely a highlight of the coast. Enjoy!
Oh that’s good, I’m was a little nervous, I’m glad you said “most of the time” I don’t mind the height so much just being on the edge. I’ll be doing the hike in May from Bomerano and I was reading about 2ft wide paths where you have to hug the wall, stuff like that. Thanks so much and if you have any suggestions or info I’d be more than happy to hear them.
Oh man, I’m so jealous! This looks like a seriously amazing hike—awesome views and perfect paths, wow!
It was the ideal hike for us – not too difficult but stunning scenery and a pasta lunch at the end!
This place is beautiful and excellent place to see the nature
The hike looks beautiful! How would you rate the level of difficulty?
I’d say medium. We are reasonably fit but not massive hikers (half day hikes are usually our max) and we didn’t find it difficult. There are lots of ups and downs on rocky trails though so it’s not a walk in the park.
what about all the vertical sheer drop-offs I read about? were there many scary sections?
We didn’t find it scary at all. Most of the time the path was away from the edge.
The practicalities sections at the end are great, guys. If I’m honest, when I land on these sorts of pieces, all I want to see are the photos and how to do it (quick smart). Good stuff. Cheers! ;)
Glad you found it useful Peter and I hope you get to do the hike!
What a fantastic way to see the Amalfi Coast! When we were there, we focused so much on getting out on the water, but hiking would have offered such an amazing view. Thanks for the great tips! I’ll keep them for our next trip there ;)
Yes, it’s definitely worth seeing the coast from both perspectives!