Path of the Gods: Complete Guide to the Scenic Trekking Route on the Amalfi Coast

When I first moved to Italy, I kept hearing about this trail. Even when I visited the Amalfi Coast for the first time, my English friend told me, “You love hiking, right? Well, you’ve never seen anything like that trail up there,” as he pointed to the top of the cliffs above the coastline.

It was finally time to explore the path of gods and I went there this Easter.
I will tell everything you need to know from my experience:
-Curiosities
-How to get there
-Tips for the hicking
-What to bring

What is the “path of the gods” and where the name comes from:

The first thing I started wondering was, “Why do they call it the Path of the Gods? It must be for more than just the beauty.”
So I asked ChatGPT and Google, and the answer was this very interesting explanation that only added more to my curiosity and desire to explore:

“Il ‘Sentiero degli Dei’ takes its name from a mythological legend: it’s said that the Greek gods once walked this path to help Ulysses escape the sirens who lived on the Li Galli archipelago, just off the coast of Positano.”

When you start the trail, you’ll also see mentions of it by writers like Italo Calvino and D.H. Lawrence.

It’s such a special place. When we started hiking, I could actually feel it. I kept thinking back to the myth I had read about Ulysses—
I could almost picture that legendary path with no one around, wrapped in all that mythology.

We got some clouds at the beginning, but honestly, I loved it.
It made the place feel even more magical, like something completely out of this world.
The trail starts way up in the mountains, and for a moment it reminded me of places in Asia or South America. Crazy, right? Probably because of the heavy clouds at the start.

As you keep going downhill toward Positano, heading closer to the sea, each part of the trail had something special.
Before even seeing the sea and the coastline, it was so fascinating to spot the rocks, an old Italian man on a mountain horse (you could really see how strong that small horse was!), and goats climbing in the weirdest places. Not to mention these random old ruins where you can stop, sit, and just take a breath before moving on.

For a second, all my excitement about the fog… really dropped. I started thinking, “ah não! I’m not going to see anything!”
We kept walking downhill…

And then…
Suddenly…

The sun broke through and shined right on us. I could start feeling the breeze pushing the clouds away, and the emerald blue of the sea popping up just down the hill, like it was actually so close to us! And it’s true—the trail isn’t really that long. The thing is… you just can’t keep walking without stopping every two steps to soak in the view.

Of course, I did the typical tourist thing: I stopped to try to capture all that beauty with my phone camera. But luckily, just in time, I remembered to put the phone down… and simply observe. The small villages no one know in the coast just before arriving Positano, and I caught myself thinking, “How on earth did they build anything up the coast?”
I stood there watching the clouds playing with the colors of the sea—turning that deep blue into a glowing emerald green— listening to the birds, spotting the long stretch of the Amalfi Coast, and imagining Capri sitting somewhere out there on the horizon, another tiny jewel on this planet.

Honestly, I couldn’t believe I was really seeing all of that.

Route Details and Practical Info
Total Distance and Average Duration
The Path of the Gods is about 7.8 km (4.8 miles) long.
On average, it takes around 2.5 to 3 hours to complete, depending on your pace and how often you stop to take in the views.

We started the hike at 11:00 AM and reached Positano by 2:00 PM.
The trail itself was not hard at all. We saw families, kids, and even older people.

Starting Point
The trail officially starts in Bomerano (Agerola), a small village in the hills above the Amalfi Coast.

Ending Point
The trail ends in Nocelle (Positano), a tiny village above Positano, with the option to continue all the way down to Positano town center. For us, the toughest part wasn’t the trail itself, but the staircase after Nocelle leading down to Positano.
It took about 20 minutes of non-stop stairs—so if you have trekking poles (bastoncini da trekking), they can really help here… but you can definitely manage without them too.

When to Go
Avoid public holidays—this trail has become very popular and can get overcrowded, especially during peak tourist season.

The best time to go is between March and May or September to October, when the weather is pleasant and the trail is less crowded.

What to Expect
Honestly, the beginning and the end felt very touristy, almost taking away that peaceful hiking vibe you’d expect.
But once you’re in the middle section, it’s just you, nature, and the sea.

What to Wear and Bring

• Comfortable hiking or sports shoes (no flip-flops or sandals)
• Light, breathable clothes
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.
• Water (at least 1.5 liters per person)
• Snacks or a light lunch (there aren’t many food options along the way, so it’s best to buy food before you start the hike)
• Trekking poles (optional, but very useful for the stairs at the end)

Pro tip: Try to eat at a restaurant just once during the day, maybe at the end in Positano, and bring your own food or snacks for the trail.

How to Get to the Trailhead and Back
Getting to Bomerano (Agerola)
From Naples or Salerno, take a train to Sorrento or Castellammare di Stabia, then catch a SITA bus to Agerola (Bomerano).

Important note: You cannot buy SITA bus tickets online (we tried and it didn’t work!).
You need to buy your ticket in person with cash at a local tabaccheria or ticket office, so make sure you bring small cash notes with you.

Returning from Positano
We highly recommend booking a ferry (traghetto) in advance, especially in high season.

Two great apps to check ferry times and book tickets are:

• Traghettilines
• NLG (Navigazione Libera del Golfo)

We bought it before when we finished the trail and it was perfect, we skip the huge line to buy in the port of Positano.
Ferries are the most scenic and relaxing way to return to places like Sorrento, Amalfi, or Salerno.

I hope you had enjoy it! See you =)