There is a trail on the Amalfi Coast that earns its name with every step. The Path of the Gods — Sentiero degli Dei in Italian — is a high-altitude footpath that runs along the spine of the Lattari Mountains, offering hikers some of the most breathtaking coastal panoramas anywhere in the Mediterranean. Hiking the Amalfi Coast’s most famous trail is an experience that belongs on every traveler’s list, whether you are a seasoned trekker or someone who simply wants to see this legendary coastline from a perspective that no road or boat can match.<\/p>\n
The trail connects the tiny hamlet of Bomerano (a fraction of the town of Agerola) to Nocelle, a clifftop village high above Positano. Along the way, the path traverses exposed ridgelines, dips through terraced farmland, passes abandoned hermitages, and delivers one jaw-dropping vista after another.<\/p>\n
The classic Path of the Gods hike runs from east to west — from Bomerano to Nocelle — covering approximately 7.8 kilometers. This direction is generally recommended because it is mostly downhill or level, and it means the dramatic views of Positano and Capri are ahead of you rather than behind you for most of the walk.<\/p>\n
The trailhead in Bomerano is well signposted from the main piazza. The path begins with a gentle descent through terraced vegetable gardens and lemon groves, giving you a taste of the agricultural landscape that has sustained these mountain communities for centuries. Within the first fifteen minutes, the trail opens up and the panorama begins to unfold: the deep blue of the Tyrrhenian Sea stretching to the horizon, with the islands of Capri, Ischia, and the Li Galli archipelago visible on clear days.<\/p>\n
The middle section of the hike is the most spectacular. The path narrows as it traverses the face of the mountain, with steep drops to the sea on one side and vertical rock walls on the other. This is not a dangerous trail if you stay on the marked path, but it does require a reasonable head for heights and sturdy footwear. The terrain is rocky and uneven, with some sections of loose gravel that can be slippery.<\/p>\n
Along the way, you will pass through patches of Mediterranean scrub — rosemary, myrtle, and wild thyme — that fill the air with fragrance. You may also notice small shrines and crosses tucked into the rock, remnants of a time when shepherds and monks were the only regular users of this path.<\/p>\n
The trail ends in Nocelle, a tiny settlement perched at about 450 meters above sea level. Nocelle is little more than a cluster of houses and a couple of small restaurants, but its position directly above Positano is extraordinary. From the village terrace, you look straight down at the famous beach and the cascade of colorful buildings below. It is the perfect spot to rest, have a cold drink, and take in the view you have just walked through.<\/p>\n
Reaching the trailhead at Bomerano requires some planning, as it sits in the mountains above the coast. From Positano, you can take a SITA bus to Amalfi and then another bus up to Agerola\/Bomerano, but the connections can be slow and unreliable, especially in the morning when you want to start early.<\/p>\n