If you’re visiting the Amalfi Coast and want to do something besides squeezing through the crowds in Positano, hike the Path of the Gods.
I did it without a tour, starting in Bomerano and finishing in Nocelle, before continuing down toward Positano.
And honestly, this is the direction I’d recommend.
You spend most of the hike walking high above the Amalfi Coast with views of the sea, tiny towns below you and, on a clear day, Capri in the distance.
It’s one of those rare famous things that actually lived up to the hype for me.
Here’s how I did it.
The route: Bomerano to Nocelle
The classic route starts in Bomerano, a small village in Agerola, and ends in Nocelle, above Positano.
This is the easier direction because you’re generally heading downhill rather than climbing up from Positano.
Depending on exactly where you start and finish, the trail is roughly 7–8 km and usually takes around 3–4 hours once you include stops.
I wouldn’t obsess over the exact time, though.
You’ll probably stop constantly for photos.
How to get to the starting point
This was the part that seemed complicated when I first looked it up, but it really doesn’t have to be.
The goal is simply to get to Bomerano in Agerola, where the classic Path of the Gods route begins.
If you’re coming from Naples
This is what I did.
There are direct SITA buses from Naples to Agerola, including Bomerano, so you don’t need to go all the way to Amalfi first.
The bus leaves Naples from the Metropark bus station near Napoli Centrale and takes around 2 hours, depending on traffic.
Get off at Agerola/Bomerano, near Piazza Paolo Capasso, which is just a short walk from the beginning of the trail.
Current schedules still show direct Naples–Agerola services, with the trip to Bomerano taking roughly 1 hour 35 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes when traffic cooperates.
For me, this was by far the easiest option because I could leave Naples in the morning, get off basically at the trailhead and start hiking.
Just check the current schedule the night before because departure times vary by day and season.
If you’re staying around Amalfi
If you’re already on the Amalfi Coast, getting there is even easier.
From Amalfi, take a bus toward Agerola/Bomerano. The ride is roughly 35–45 minutes and drops you close to Piazza Paolo Capasso.
There are also seasonal shuttle options specifically designed for people hiking the Path of the Gods.
If you’re staying in Positano or Sorrento
You can still reach Bomerano, but you’ll usually need to connect through Amalfi.
From Positano, take the bus or ferry toward Amalfi and then continue by bus up to Bomerano.
From Sorrento, you can travel along the coast toward Amalfi and connect there as well.
It takes longer, so if you’re staying in either place, I’d start early.
Tip: Put Piazza Paolo Capasso, Bomerano into your maps. That’s the village center and a common starting point for the trail.
Do you need a tour?
I didn’t.
The route is established and marked, so if you’re comfortable hiking independently, I don’t think a tour is necessary just to follow the trail.
A guide could make sense if you want more information about the landscape and history, but purely for navigation, I was perfectly happy doing it on my own.
How difficult is the Path of the Gods?
I’d call it moderate rather than difficult.
You don’t need to be an experienced hiker, but this also isn’t a flat seaside walk.
There are rocks, uneven sections and some steep drops next to the trail.
Start early
If you’re hiking during the warmer months, go early.
There isn’t shade everywhere, and walking several hours above the coast under the midday sun sounds much less romantic once you’re actually doing it.
Starting early also gives you time to stop, take photos and enjoy the trail without worrying about getting to Positano before dark.
Spring and autumn are especially good times to do the hike because temperatures are usually milder.
The views are the whole point
There aren’t really a bunch of “attractions” you need to check off along the trail.
The trail is the attraction.
You walk along the mountainside above terraced vineyards and cliffs with the Amalfi Coast spread out below you.
At different points you can see toward Praiano, Positano, the Li Galli islands and Capri.
So don’t rush it.
Why is it called the Path of the Gods?
Of course a trail this dramatic needed a dramatic story.
According to local legend, the Greek gods crossed these mountains while trying to save Odysseus from the Sirens, whose voices were supposedly coming from the Li Galli islands below.
That’s where the name Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods) comes from.
Whether you believe the legend or not, once you’re up there looking down at the coast, the name starts to make sense.
What happens when you reach Nocelle?
The official trail ends in Nocelle, a tiny village sitting high above Positano.
And this is where you have a decision to make.
Option 1: Walk down to Positano
You can continue toward Positano on foot. That’s what I did.
Just know that the end of your beautiful mountain hike suddenly involves a lot of stairs.
After hiking for several hours, your legs may have opinions about this.
But this is what I did, and ending the hike in Positano makes the whole route feel complete.
Option 2: Take the bus
If your knees have already submitted their resignation, you can take the local bus from Nocelle toward Positano instead.
Finish the day in Positano
This is probably my favorite part about doing the trail in this direction.
You start the morning up in the mountains…
…and finish at the sea in Positano.
Once I got down, I was completely ready for a spritz and absolutely no more hiking.
If the weather is good, you can also bring a swimsuit and finish the day at the beach.
If you’re heading back to Naples afterward, you have a few options depending on the season and time of day. You can make your way toward Sorrento and continue to Naples by train, or use seasonal ferries to connect through other towns along the coast.
Check your return transportation before you start hiking, especially the last connections of the day.
Can you hike it in the opposite direction?
Yes. But starting from the Positano side means you’re beginning with considerably more climbing.
Bomerano to Nocelle gives you the same incredible views while making the overall hike easier.
Sometimes taking the easier route isn’t cheating.
It’s just good planning.
How much time should you plan?
I’d give this most of a day.
The actual trail takes a few hours, but transportation to Bomerano, stops along the way, getting down from Nocelle and spending some time in Positano all add up.
Especially if you’re coming from Naples, don’t schedule a bunch of other sightseeing on the same day.
Let this be the day.
Is the Path of the Gods worth it?
Absolutely.
The Amalfi Coast can sometimes feel like you’re spending half your trip waiting for buses, fighting crowds and trying to get the same photo as everyone else.
This felt completely different.
You’re above all of that, walking between small villages with some of the best views of the coast.
And then a few hours later, you’re having a drink in Positano.
For me, that’s a much better way to experience the Amalfi Coast than spending the entire day fighting for space on a crowded street below.
