Path of the Gods

The Sentiero degli Dei — the Path of the Gods — is the Amalfi Coast's signature day hike: a 7 km clifftop traverse from the inland village of Bomerano, above Agerola, down to Nocelle on the hill above Positano. The trail runs roughly 500 m above the sea along the limestone wall that gives the Amalfi Coast its character, with the Tyrrhenian Sea and the silhouette of Capri in view for most of the walk. The name predates modern hiking — local legend says it was named for being good enough that the Greek gods, watching Odysseus pass through the islands below, used it themselves.

The trail is best walked east-to-west from Bomerano: a gentle 250 m of cumulative climb, mostly flat to slightly descending, with the tourist-shop village of Nocelle as a natural finish point. From Nocelle, the most dramatic exit is the Scala Belvedere — about 1,700 stone steps straight down to Positano in roughly 45 minutes (knees take note). Buses run from Nocelle back to Amalfi or down to Positano if you'd rather skip the descent. The reverse direction is rarely walked: starting in Nocelle means a 500 m climb up the same staircase to begin, and the views are slightly less framed.

The path is open year-round but is at its best in late spring (April–early June) and early autumn (mid-September–October), when the temperature is mild and the wildflowers are out. Summer is hot and shadeless along most of the route — start at dawn or skip July–August entirely. There's no permit, no fee, and no guide required; the trail is marked with white-and-red CAI stripes (path 327) and is well used. Footwear with grip matters: the limestone is polished smooth in places and slippery when wet. Bring water — there are no springs along the route — and consider stopping for lunch at one of the small panoramic restaurants in Nocelle before the descent.