Everyone associates fancy villas, expensive yachts, and high-class dinners with the Amalfi Coast. But, underneath all the luxury lies a few spectacular hikes.
One, in particular, is the Sentiero Degli Dei, or the Path of the Gods hike. This hike takes you along breathtaking coastline to get a unique view of the coast and beaches that most visitors are missing while they laze around in their fine villas.
The hike is great for all varieties of hikers: solo, couples, or families. Before you begin, there are a few things you’ll want to know, though.
How to Start the Path of the Gods Hike
When taking the trail, you have two options: start in Positano or begin in a small town called Bomerano. Choosing your starting point decides the difficulty of the hike:
- Positano —> Bomerano
- Bomerano —> Positano
Of the two, Positano to Bomerano is the more challenging hike with a large set of stairs to climb at the beginning of the hike.
From Bomerano, you’ll descend these stairs toward the end of the hike.
The hike will take around 3-4 hours to complete. If you’re choosing Positano —> Bomerano route, I’d allow more time to factor in the elevation gain. Plus, most of the trek is scenic, so you want to allow yourself time to take it all in.
Because of the food options, I’ll describe (and recommend) the Bomerano —> Positano route. You’ll be hungry after the hike, and Positano is a great choice for grabbing a bite to eat.
You have three options to get to Bomerano: taxi, car rental, bus, or hiking a long way.
Starting the Path of the Gods Hike
You’ll find signs saying “Sentiero Degli Dei” posted on the sides of buildings near Piazza Paolo Capass. You will go down a narrow street for around 250 meters. Then, you will pass under a bridge and come to a junction. Turn right and cross the bridge, following the steps down.
As you follow this trail, it will wind until you arrive at a sign saying, “Benvenuti Sul Sentiero Degli Dei.” You’re now on the hiking path, and you’ll have your first viewpoint. Enjoy!
Once you’re on the trail, it’s pretty easy to follow. Red and white lines mark the path for you.
There are trail offshoots along the way, but the main trail is always visible. When in doubt, go with the path that looks more trodden.
Finishing the Path of the Gods Hike
The trail will turn to a sidewalk, and you’ll descend some stairs and arrive in a more residential area. You can stop to get some water, snacks, or refreshments before moving on.
You can head down the road to the nearest bus stop to Positano or follow the road and enjoy the magnificent views.
What to Expect on the Hike
You will want to keep your eye on the trail to avoid falling over the sides. The views are so mesmerizing on this hike, it’s challenging to stay focused on where you’re placing your feet.
All jokes aside, the trail traverses the sides of cliffs for much of the hike, so focus is essential. When you look down over the edge, it’s a long drop that you don’t want to make.
But this is part of the draw of the scenery. The mountains erupt out of the ocean and form impossible vertical cliff faces. It was one of the most beautiful views I’ve had on a hike.
If you’re lucky, you’ll come across wildlife as well. I saw the occasional dog, lizard, and many herds of goats with an elderly farmer not far behind them, urging them on.
Keep an eye out for the area full of cairns (piled-up stones) during the hike. There’s about a 50 square meter area full of them, so be sure to add one to the pile.
What to Bring on the Hike
There isn’t a lot of shade along the trail, so be sure to bring a reusable water bottle. You’ll find various water taps along the route that provide fresh water, so you can refill as you need.
There are many rest areas along the way for you to take a break. Bring some snacks or food with you and enjoy lunch with an incredible view.
For shoes, tennis shoes will be suitable, but choose a pair with good traction and have a fair amount of comfort. You’ll be on your feet for a while, so it’ll be worthwhile to give yourself some support.
As far as clothing, you’ll want to check the weather. I went in the spring, and I wore a hoodie with a pair of jeans, and it was perfect. A backpack will make it easy to transport anything else you need to take.
Check the forecast and prepare accordingly. If you see heavy rain, I would avoid the hike. But, the hike is still doable with light rain in the forecast. Be sure to pack your rain jacket.
Recap:
- Reusable water bottle
- Comfortable pair of tennis/hiking shoes
- Snacks/food for the trail
- Rain jacket (depending on season)
- Backpack
Path of the Gods Route
Finding and navigating unknown trails can be intimidating. If you’d prefer, you can download a GPX file of the Path of the Gods hike and follow it using your smartphone or smartwatch.
Need to Know
Map
Last Visited: 2019
Length: 7.5 km
Time: 3-4 hrs
Grade: Moderate / Grade 3 (according to the Australian Walking Track Grading System).
Style: One-Way.
Region: Amalfi Coast, Italy
Closest Town: Positano
Have you visited the Amalfi Coast and hiked the Path of the Gods? If you have any stories, updates or corrections, please let us know by commenting below.
