Trek Campania — Amalfi Coast, Italy

The Path of the Gods — Sentiero degli Dei

A single unforgettable day walking a cliff-top balcony high above the Amalfi Coast, from Bomerano through Nocelle and down the old stone stairs into Positano.

The Path of the Gods — Sentiero degli Dei — Photo: Bruno Rijsman · CC BY-SA 2.0

Duration: 1 days
Distance: 9 km
Ascent: 350 m
Difficulty: Moderate
Best season: Spring and autumn (April–June, September–October); avoid the midsummer heat and haze

The Sentiero degli Dei — the Path of the Gods — is the most celebrated walk on the Amalfi Coast: a narrow footpath cut into the flank of the Lattari mountains, hundreds of metres above the Tyrrhenian Sea. For most of its length you are on a natural balcony, the coastline falling away below you and the island of Capri floating on the horizon.

It is best walked from east to west, starting high at Bomerano so that the day trends gently downhill toward Positano.

Getting there. Take the SITA bus up to Agerola and get off at Bomerano square, where the trail is signposted. From Positano at the far end, buses and ferries run back along the coast to Amalfi, Sorrento and Naples.

Good to know:

The main path from Bomerano to Nocelle is roughly 8 km; carrying on down the 1,700-odd stone steps from Nocelle to Positano adds a knee-testing descent.
There is very little shade and no water once you leave Bomerano — carry plenty, wear sun protection, and start early in warm months.
The path is exposed in places with steep drops; sturdy shoes and a head for heights help, but no scrambling or special skill is needed.

Day 1

Bomerano to Positano along the Path of the Gods

Bomerano (Agerola) → Positano 9 km ↑ 350 m

One classic day divided into three natural parts — an easy start out of Bomerano, the spectacular cliff-side balcony to Nocelle, and the final plunge down ancient steps into Positano.

Segments

Out of Bomerano to Colle la Serra 2 km ↑ 100 m

Bomerano square (Agerola) → Colle la Serra

Village lanes to mountain path

Leave Bomerano on signposted lanes that quickly narrow into a mountain path, climbing gently to the saddle of Colle la Serra where the coast first opens up ahead. About 45 minutes.

About this place

Agerola is a comune (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Naples in the Italian region Campania, located about 35 km southeast of Naples. It is part of the Amalfi Coast.
Read more on Wikipedia ↗
Photo: Original uploader was User:Albertistvan at hu.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
The balcony traverse to Nocelle 5 km ↑ 200 m

Colle la Serra → Nocelle

Cliffside balcony path

The heart of the walk: a near-level path carved into the cliff, past the Grotta del Biscotto and terraced vineyards, with continuous views over the sea to Capri, ending at the tiny hamlet of Nocelle. Around 2.5 hours.
The 1,700 steps down to Positano 2 km ↑ 0 m

Nocelle → Positano

Long stone staircases

From Nocelle a seemingly endless flight of some 1,700 stone steps drops through lemon groves and villas down to the pastel houses of Positano and the sea. About 1 hour, hard on the knees.

About this place

Positano is a town and comune (municipality) on the Amalfi Coast in the Province of Salerno in the region of Campania in southern Italy, mainly in an enclave in the hills leading down to the coast. It has 3,643 inhabitants.
Read more on Wikipedia ↗
Photo: JeCCo · CC BY 4.0