Path of the Gods guide: hiking from Bomerano to Nocelle above the Amalfi Coast
Agerola: The Path of the Gods Hike
How hard is the Path of the Gods and how do I get to the trailhead?
The classic route is Bomerano (Agerola) to Nocelle — 7.5 km, about 2.5–3 hours one-way, rated easy-to-moderate. It is almost entirely a coastal traverse with no major ascent. Take a bus from Amalfi to Agerola/Bomerano, walk to Nocelle, then descend to Positano (45 min) and take a ferry or bus back. Start early in summer.
| Where | Bomerano (Agerola) to Nocelle, above Positano |
| Cost | Free trail; €2.50–3 SITA bus each leg |
| Time needed | 2.5–3hrs walking + 45min descent to Positano |
| Getting there | SITA bus from Amalfi to Bomerano |
| Best time | April–May, September–October |
Understanding the trail before you start
The Path of the Gods is not a scenic stroll with viewpoints. It is a mountain trail on limestone rock at 400–700 metres altitude, with exposed sections, technical footing in places, and approximately 1,500 stone steps on the descent to Positano. It is also one of the most consistently spectacular walks in Italy — the views from the ridge above the Amalfi Coast on a clear morning are extraordinary.
The trail requires proper walking shoes, enough water, and a realistic assessment of your fitness and the weather. People have been hospitalised on this trail after sliding on wet limestone in flip-flops. That said, the core Bomerano-to-Nocelle route is well within the ability of most reasonably fit adults who come prepared.
The route: Bomerano to Nocelle
Start: Bomerano, central piazza (Agerola municipality, 640 m above sea level) End: Nocelle, above Positano (450 m above sea level) Distance: 7.5 km Net elevation change: -190 m (mostly a coastal traverse with small undulations) Estimated time: 2.5–3 hours walking time, 3–4 hours total with stops Difficulty: Easy to moderate (rocky terrain, some exposed sections, steep descent at end) Trail marking: Red/white CAI blazes (Italian Alpine Club markers), generally well maintained
The trail leaves Bomerano’s piazza heading west along a clear path through the highland fields. After about 20 minutes, you emerge onto the southern face of the Lattari Mountains — and the first view of the Amalfi Coast below unfolds. The path then traverses the cliff face westward for the next 2 hours, with the sea visible through most of the route.
Key sections:
- The initial traverse (km 0–3): Mostly flat, exposed cliff path. The views open up progressively.
- The high point (~km 4): The trail briefly climbs to about 680 m before descending slightly. The best panoramic views of the whole coast — from Capri in the west to Paestum on clear days.
- The approach to Nocelle (km 5–7.5): More undulating, passing through abandoned terraces. The trail narrows in places.
- The descent to Positano (after Nocelle): Not officially part of the Sentiero degli Dei, this stepped path descends 450 stone steps (about 200 m of descent) to the SS163 road near Arienzo. Allow 45 minutes. It is steep — poles help significantly.
Getting to the trailhead
From Amalfi by SITA bus
The most straightforward option. SITA bus from Amalfi waterfront stop toward Agerola/Bomerano. Journey: approximately 50–55 minutes on a winding mountain road, €2.50–3.00. Buses run 4–6 times daily in summer (frequency significantly lower off-season). Check the posted timetable at the Amalfi SITA stop or at the tourist office.
Key timing consideration: If the first bus from Amalfi to Bomerano is at 8:30, you arrive at Bomerano at ~9:25. You finish the traverse in Nocelle at ~12:30. The descent to the road takes until ~13:15. This is ideal in spring/autumn. In July–August, you should aim to be on the trail by 8:00, which means either staying overnight near the trailhead or arranging transport independently.
From Sorrento
Take the Circumvesuviana to Amalfi (1.5 hours via Sorrento or Salerno connection — this is complicated, check routes) or take a SITA bus from Sorrento toward Positano and Amalfi, then change. Alternatively, join a guided tour departing from Sorrento.
Path of the Gods guided hike from SorrentoFrom Naples
Circumvesuviana to Sorrento (70 min) + SITA bus to Amalfi (90 min) + SITA bus to Bomerano (55 min) = approximately 3.5–4 hours of transit. A very long journey for a morning trailhead start. Consider staying overnight near the coast, or book a guided tour that handles the transport.
Overnight accommodation near Bomerano
Agerola (the municipality containing Bomerano) has several small hotels and agriturismo properties at €60–100/night. Staying overnight gives you a relaxed 7:00 morning start, the best light on the trail, and no rush. The town of Agerola itself has a local character entirely different from the coast below.
What to bring
Essential:
- Proper walking shoes or hiking boots (waterproof in shoulder season). Trail runners work well. No sandals, no flip-flops.
- 2 litres of water minimum (no reliable water sources on the trail itself)
- Sun protection: hat, factor 50 sunscreen, sunglasses (exposed sections have no shade)
- Snacks / energy food
- Phone with offline maps downloaded (maps.me or similar; mobile signal drops in several sections)
Useful:
- Walking poles (significantly helpful on the Nocelle descent)
- Light jacket or wind layer (the ridge can be cool even in summer, especially in the morning)
- Small first aid kit
Not needed:
- Heavy pack, camping equipment
The descent to Positano
The standard completion is the descent from Nocelle to Positano via the stepped path. This is where many people’s legs give out — the steps are steep, uneven, and approximately 1,500 in total.
Duration: 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on pace.
The path: Marked from the bar/restaurant in Nocelle central square. Follow the signs for “Positano”. The path passes through old terraces, past abandoned farmhouses, and through a shaded gully section before emerging near the SS163 road.
At the bottom: You reach the road at Via Arienzo. From here, local buses run into Positano centre (5 min, €2). The walk to Spiaggia Grande from this point is about 1.5 km along the road.
Alternative finish at Nocelle: If the descent is too demanding (or if your knees have had enough), the SITA bus from Nocelle to Positano runs a very limited schedule — check in Nocelle. Better to organise a taxi from Nocelle (ask at the bar in the village).
Guided vs self-guided
Self-guided: Entirely possible with proper preparation. The trail is marked throughout. Download the CAI trail map in advance (available on the CAI website and on Komoot/AllTrails). The main risk is timing — if you miss the last SITA bus from Bomerano in the morning, the next options are expensive (taxi from Agerola to Bomerano, or a shared private transfer).
Guided: Useful for the transport logistics — a guided tour handles pickup from your accommodation, the bus to Bomerano, and return transport from Positano. The guide adds historical context on the mule tracks, the terracing techniques, and the abandoned medieval villages you pass. For walkers who want to appreciate the landscape rather than navigate, guided is the better choice.
Private guided Path of the Gods hike ending in PositanoThe Valle delle Ferriere: the Amalfi alternative
If you prefer an easier walk starting and ending in Amalfi town, the Valle delle Ferriere (described in the Amalfi town guide) is a good alternative — 3 hours round trip, more shaded, and ending at a waterfall. See also hiking near Naples for the full range of options.
Path of the Gods vs the other Amalfi Coast hikes
| Hike | Distance / time | Difficulty | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Path of the Gods (Bomerano–Nocelle) | 7.5 km, 2.5–3hrs | Easy-moderate | The classic coastal panorama |
| Valle delle Ferriere (from Amalfi) | ~5 km round trip, 3hrs | Moderate | Shade, a waterfall, less crowded |
| Nocelle–Positano descent | 1,500 steps, 45min | Moderate-hard on knees | Anyone finishing the Path of the Gods |
| Ravello to Amalfi walking path | ~2.5 km, 1hr | Easy | A short, scenic add-on to a Ravello visit |
For most first-time visitors with one hiking day on the Amalfi Coast, the Bomerano–Nocelle traverse remains the best single choice — it delivers the most sustained sea views for the least technical difficulty. If you’re spending several days on the coast and want variety, pair it with the Valle delle Ferriere or a short walk around Ravello’s villa gardens on a rest day. Combine either hike with time on the Amalfi Coast’s best beaches if your legs need a break afterward — see the full Amalfi Coast guide for how to sequence a multi-day stay.
Choosing your day and your base
The trail rewards flexibility. If you are staying on the coast, watch the forecast for a clear morning and treat the hike as the day you protect, moving beach time or sightseeing around it rather than the other way round. Visitors based in Sorrento or Naples have a longer approach, so compare the options in Sorrento as a base and the Naples vs Sorrento base guide before you decide where to sleep. If you plan to do the walk on a day trip, the Amalfi Coast from Naples page explains how the transport pieces fit together, and the Amalfi Coast day trip guide shows what else can realistically share the day.
Staying on the coast itself makes the logistics easier. The where to stay on the Amalfi Coast guide compares the towns, and Praiano and Positano both put you close to the end of the route.
Pacing, stops and photography
Do not try to rush the traverse. The best approach is to walk steadily for the first stretch while your legs are fresh, then stop at the high point to take in the whole coastline. The light is kinder early in the day, and the haze that often builds later softens the distant views. Keep your phone for photographs rather than constant navigation, since the trail is marked, and a short pause at each open stretch costs little. For more ideas on where to point a camera elsewhere, see the best photo spots guide.
Walk at the pace of the slowest person in your group, and agree beforehand on a turning point if someone is struggling. The terraces and abandoned farmhouses are worth a few minutes of attention: they are the reason the landscape looks the way it does, and they make the walk more than a series of viewpoints.
Weather and season planning
Mountain weather on the ridge does not always match what you see from the shore. Read the forecast the evening before, check it again at breakfast, and keep a fallback plan. The best time to visit Naples guide explains how the seasons feel across the region, and the Vesuvius closures and weather page is a useful reminder of how quickly conditions can change in this part of Campania. If the weather rules out the trail, a gentler alternative is in the Amalfi Coast towns compared guide, where a slow day in one town replaces the hike.
After the walk
Once you reach Positano, give yourself time to rest before doing anything else. A long lunch and a swim are the natural reward, and the Positano guide covers where to spend the afternoon. If you would rather return by water, the Amalfi Coast by boat guide explains how that option works. Whatever you choose, build in slack for the journey home, because tired legs and a winding road make for a slow evening.
Frequently asked questions about the Path of the Gods
Is the Path of the Gods dog-friendly?
Yes. Dogs on a lead are welcome on the trail. The steep stone descent to Positano may be difficult for some dogs (particularly shorter-legged breeds). Bring extra water for the dog — no reliable sources on the trail.
Can I walk the trail in both directions in one day?
The return from Nocelle to Bomerano (i.e., doing a round trip) is 15 km total with roughly 400 m of ascent on the return. This is manageable for fit walkers in spring or autumn — allow 6–7 hours. In summer heat, a round trip is not recommended.
Are there cafés or restaurants on the trail?
In Bomerano there are bars before you start. In Nocelle there is one bar/restaurant at the trail end. Between the two: nothing. Carry sufficient food and water.
What happens if the weather turns?
The trail has no shelter once you are on the exposed ridge section. If cloud closes in and rain starts on limestone terrain, the rock becomes extremely slippery. If you see weather building from the sea in the morning, delay the start. The Lattari Mountains create their own micro-weather — it can be completely clear on the coast while cloud and drizzle sit on the ridge.
Is there an entrance fee?
No fee to hike the Sentiero degli Dei. You pay only for transport (bus fare) and optional guided services. The gardens of Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo in Ravello charge separately if you add those to the day.
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