We hiked the Path of the Gods Trail from Praiano to Positano during our trip to Italy’s dreamy Amalfi Coast in May 2022. And we have to start by saying wow, what an amazing experience. It more than lived up to its reputation. Our advice? If you’re going to the Amalfi Coast and enjoy hiking, you seriously can’t miss it.
Now, we travel for a living so we’re pretty good with maps and logistics – and even we found Path of the Gods to be surprisingly difficult to plan into our Amalfi Coast itinerary based on the information available. So you’re not alone if you can’t figure out the best way to do it!
Here’s Kristen hiking along Path of the Gods
Hi, we’re Mark and Kristen Morgan. We left our scientific careers in 2018 to become travel writers and photographers, and since then our expert guides have helped millions of travel planners take better trips. Read more about us.
Why trust us with your Path of the Gods plans? Because we actually hiked it ourselves, and we absolutely loved the experience. It’s one of our favorite day hikes in Europe and we can’t wait to help you do it too.
But after being there in person, we realized there’s actually tons of different ways you can do it – and trust us, it’s not as hard as it seems. We picked one of the hardest ways to hike the trail, but we’re also going to show you the more popular starting points with transport links in a super easy to understand way, so you can figure out what works best for your itinerary.
We’ll walk you through our custom trail and transport map so you can see the lay of the land, then we’ll show you how we hiked Path of the Gods – what we learned, what we loved and what we’d do differently. Finally, we’ll explain the various transport and hiking options to help you choose the perfect way to experience this unforgettable trail.
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Transport + Trail Map
Feel free to save or share our map!
Map key:
- Blue – Path of the Gods hiking trail (dotted part is a road)
- Pink – Steep steps from Positano to Nocelle
- Orange – Steep climb from Praiano to the main trail
- Red – The bus or driving route from Positano to Nocelle
- Purple – The bus or driving route from Positano to Bomerano (change in Amalfi required)
Okay, we know our map looks overwhelming at first – but it’s actually pretty straightforward. Most importantly, the blue line is Path of the Gods, including the blue dots which represent a road connecting Bomerano to the part of the trail that actually has views.
The orange line is the steep climb that we took from Praiano to a 15th century convent and eventually the main trail. That shorter pink line is the steep staircase with 1,700 steps between Positano and Nocelle which is great to go down, but wouldn’t be as much fun going up!
The red line is the route you’d take either on the bus or in a hire car to reach Nocelle, which gets you to the west side of the hike without having to do any climbing. Similarly, the purple line is the bus or driving route to Amalfi and up to Bomerano.
We’ll explain each of these options later in the guide, but first we’re going to walk you through our hike. Let’s begin!
Our Path Of The Gods Experience: Praiano To Positano
In two weeks we did Naples, Herculaneum, Pompeii, Sorrento, Capri, Positano, Praiano and Amalfi. It was fast moving and we only spent a few days in each place, so we wanted to make sure our Path of the Gods hike fit into our itinerary as efficiently as possible.
We booked 2 nights in Positano and 1 night in Praiano, knowing that Praiano was much quieter with very little going on. So we checked out of our hotel in Positano after breakfast, took a bus to Praiano, dropped our suitcases off at the hotel because it was too early to check in, and set off on the hike. By the time we got back it was time to check in and relax – planned perfectly.
Important: Going up from Praiano was not the official or most popular way to hike Path of the Gods, and it was challenging. We’ll show you the more popular and easier versions later, but it’s essential you know that we had to climb a steep trail that eventually led us to the main hiking path much higher up.
Okay, here’s exactly how we hiked Path of the Gods from Praiano to Positano:
Climbing Through Praiano
Here’s Kristen climbing the first steps through Praiano 
This was the sign we followed onto the trail from Praiano
We stayed at Hotel Smeraldo so we had instant access to the nearby Via degli Ulivi steps and Via Croce, which would lead us to Capo Vettica and the long staircase leading up to the Convent of San Domenico.
The 400m walk (0.25 miles) walk took us around 10 minutes because it was all uphill, and the sun was already beating down on us by mid morning. Here’s the maps location for the staircase in case you do it the same way we did by starting in Praiano.
Steep Climb To Convento di San Domenico
This was the first view we had after starting 
This was the scenic path we took to arrive at the convent
Right off the bat it was steps, steps and more steps. Luckily a lot of the staircase was shaded early on while we got into the groove, but soon enough we were out in the elements taking deep breaths.
Around 700m (0.43 miles) later after climbing 200m (600 feet), we arrived at the completely isolated and peaceful Convento di San Domenico which was founded in 1457. We went inside to see its white washed walls and sign the visitor book before getting back to our climb.
Joining The Main Trail
This is Kristen outside the convent 
Here’s Mark pausing between deep breaths for a photo at the top
From the convent we looked up and saw the top of the next cliff, which we knew was as high as we’d climb. So despite being a dramatic and slightly daunting prospect, we were motivated to crush it and finally get onto the Path of the Gods Trail proper.
We loosely followed red paint markers on a lightly-beaten rocky path that zig-zagged up the mountainside for around 0.5km (0.3 miles). This part was a real thigh-burner as we gained another 450 feet before reaching the main trail. It was definitely a steep end to the climb, but we were up!
Sentiero degli Dei
This was our view looking back down at the convent and Praiano from where we began our hike 
We took this photo to show how busy the trail was not long after we got up from Praiano
Sweaty, out of breath and ready for some flat hiking, we’d finally reached the Path of the Gods near Ulisse’s House. And boy were the views worth it. Wow! Photos (including ours in this guide) just don’t do it justice.
To the east was a 2.2km (1.4 miles) walk to Bomerano, which we did not do – so one of the major downsides to doing it the way we did was missing that part of the hike. Instead, we began walking towards Nocelle which was a 3.3km (2.1 miles) hike to the west.
We don’t like missing sections of trails, but we knew most of the walk east to Bomerano was just on a road – and that the best part of the hike was to the west from where we joined the main trail. And that’s part of the reason we planned it this way.
Heading West
There were plenty of helpful timing signs like this along the hike 
This was one of the few shaded trail sections 
Here’s Kristen soaking it all in at one of the viewpoints
The entire trail from where we joined it to Nocelle was fantastic. We found the actual hike itself to be surprisingly easy, with just a few rocky sections and some uneven ground but nothing that most people wouldn’t be able to handle. And the views just got better and better the closer we got to Positano.
We stopped at every “viewpoint” along the trail, which basically just meant the parts of the hike where the view over Praiano or Positano was better than the rest. But there weren’t any designated or fenced off areas with special vistas. The whole thing was like one great big viewpoint anyway.
There were a few sections of the trail that thankfully disappeared into trees for some much needed shade, but it was mostly exposed to the elements. And even in May when we hiked it, the heat was intense.
Arriving Into Nocelle
Here’s Kristen buying us each a lemon sorbet 
And they went down like nectar!
After the hard and steep climb we’d done, combined with ever-increasing heat of the day as we clocked into the afternoon, we were pretty sapped by the time we dragged ourselves into Nocelle with mixed emotions – disappointed the hike was over but happy to get in some shade.
We rushed into the very first place available called Il Chiosco del Sentiero degli Dei. There was only one small table free at the back right on the edge and it had a sublime view so we took it, ordered bruschetta and paninis along with two big bottles of Peroni. It was pure bliss.
A few minutes walk later we walked down some steps into Nocelle’s tiny village square which was throbbing with hikers, spotted a popup stand called Lemon Point and ordered 2 lemon sorbets each. They were incredible – don’t miss this place at the end of your hike.
Descending Into Positano
We found signs for Positano easy to follow through Nocelle 
Here’s Kristen walking down the steps leading back to Positano
From Lemon Point and our last view from high up, we began our descent on the 1,700 steps from Nocelle to Positano. In just 1km (0.6 miles) we dropped down around 1,000 feet.
We were ready to be down so we turned the afterburners on and hustled to the bottom, only passing by maybe 5 or 6 brave people coming up the other way. And as we finished the path, we were left a little surprised by how it ended.
Instead of being in the town of Positano, it ended right on the very narrow main Amalfi Coast road at a bus stop (with no sidewalks) almost 1km (0.6 miles) from town. Luckily we were getting the bus to Praiano but take care if you walk back to Positano from here, especially if you’re doing it as a family with younger kids.
Our Path of the Gods hike from beginning the climb in Praiano to ending at the bus stop near Positano took us 3 hours and 30 minutes on the dot, including our stops for food and drinks in Nocelle.
Different Ways To Hike Path Of The Gods
We honestly think our hiking route from Praiano to Positano is the best way to hike Path of the Gods in terms of completeness and variation.
It gave us a real workout, we passed by the convent, we only had to do one bus and we didn’t have to go back on ourselves. Plus, most importantly we saw the unmissable parts of the trail before heading back down the 1,700 steps into Positano.
If you want to hike it the same way we did, take a SITA bus from Positano or Amalfi and get off at Praiano Hotel Tramonto Doro. But we only recommend going the same way we did if you’re a strong hiker looking for a challenge. And the same applies to hiking up the steps from Positano to Nocelle – they’re only good options for serious hikers.
But what if you don’t want to do the steep climb we did from Praiano? Don’t worry, there’s plenty of relaxing transport and trail options you can consider instead:
Positano To Bomerano Bus
The official way to hike Path of the Gods is to start in Bomerano and end in Nocelle. It’s a hugely popular way to do it because the 5.5km (3.4 miles) walk is mostly downhill – there’s around 75m (250 feet) ascent and 260m (850 feet) descent. This is route you want if you’re looking for the easiest way to hike the trail.
But getting to Bomerano by bus from Positano isn’t easy – here are your two options:
- Bus connection: Take the SITA bus from Positano to Amalfi and transfer to the Line 5080 bus for Bomerano (1h 45m).
- Ferry + bus: Take a ferry from Positano to Amalfi, walk to Amalfi bus stop and take Line 5080 bus to Bomerano (1h 30m).
Neither of those options sound like much fun to us, but at least the worst bit is out of the way first and you can enjoy the rest of the day by walking the trail and descending the steps into Positano. We would get on a very early bus to get ahead of the crowds and heat.
Use the following timetables to plan your hike:
Insider Tip: We found the place names confusing when researching – Bomerano is a hamlet within the Agerola comune. When you get on the bus tell the driver you’re going to Bomerano for the hike and the driver will tell you when to get off. Then you just have to walk a few steps to Piazza Paolo Capasso and begin the trail on Via Pennino.
Positano To Nocelle Bus
Personally, we think the much easier way to do it from Positano is to take a local bus from the north end of Piazza dei Mulini to Nocelle. You can buy tickets in the tobacco shop called Tabacchi (exterior walls painted red) and hop on the bus right outside. It only costs a few euros each way and takes 30 minutes to reach the very last stop, which is Nocelle.
From there you can hike all the way to Bomerano and back to Nocelle, before taking a bus back down to Positano. Or if you’re still feeling energetic, skip the bus and walk the 1,700 steps back down to Positano instead. It’s important to check the Mobility Amalfi Coast Facebook page to see current local bus timetables.
Doing this version means hiking out and back rather than going one way, but we’d much rather be enjoying the trail than sitting on two buses to Bomerano. Also, you don’t have to go all the way to Bomerano – you can turn around half way along and still get the best views.
Insider Tip: After the hike you could join this top rated cooking class making homemade gnocchi and tiramisu in nearby Montepertuso. It looks fantastic!
This was one of our favorite views over Positano from the hike
Starting In Amalfi
It’s much easier to hike Path of the Gods the official way if you’re staying in Amalfi because you just need the Line 5080 bus directly up to Bomerano (which takes 40 minutes). Here’s the bus timetable you need.
But then you’d have the same issue with having to get the bus or ferry if you dropped down into Positano. So for us, the best option from Amalfi would be to hike Bomerano-Nocelle-Bomerano and take the direct 40-minute bus back down to Amalfi.
Starting In Capri
If you’re staying in Capri and want to take a day trip to hike the Path of the Gods, take a ferry to Positano and then take a bus up to Nocelle (or climb the steps if you’re a strong hiker). Here’s the ferry timetable.
It’s only one stop from Capri to Positano rather than two to Amalfi, and the bus is 10 minutes quicker than the bus from Amalfi to Bomerano. So overall this is a far more efficient way to do it from Capri.
Insider Tip: Read our guide on what you can’t miss in Capri to make sure you don’t miss any of our favorite attractions.
Starting In Sorrento
Are you staying in Sorrento and want to hike the trail? Well, you actually have three pretty good options:
Bus: Take Line 5070 SITA bus from Sorrento to Positano Sponda (takes 50 minutes – here’s the timetable) and then change at Sponda onto the Mobility bus to Nocelle that we discussed earlier.
Hire car: If you don’t want to rely on or wait around for buses, you could hire a car in Sorrento and drive to Nocelle instead. It’s only 18km (11 miles) and takes around 40 minutes each way. Just know the roads are very narrow and winding so only do this if you’re a confident driver.
Guided tour: If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of buses or hiring a car, take a look at doing the hike with a professional guide like on this top rated tour which included round trip transport from Sorrento.
What We’d Do Differently
We hiked from mid-morning to mid-afternoon and it was so hot!
If we were to hike Path of the Gods again, we’d start in Positano, take a bus up to Nocelle, walk to Bomerano, walk back to Nocelle and walk down the steps into Positano. Based on the experiences we had and what we learned, that’s the way we think is best.
We loved our steep climb up from Praiano for the adventure, to see the convent and to save a bunch of time on buses – but it did wipe us out. One thing we know we wouldn’t do is climb the steps from Positano to Nocelle, not just because it’s hard but also because it’s boring and way less scenic than the climb we did from Praiano.
Finally, we’d start much earlier than we did in May 2022. Leaving it until mid morning was our only choice because we moved our suitcases between hotels in Positano and Praiano, but it meant we hiked in the hottest part of the day.
Our Top Tips
When to hike – We would actively avoid July and August when the crowds and heat would be intolerable. It was hot enough and busy enough when we did it in May. Spring (wildflowers) and fall (autumnal colors) have manageable crowds and heat, so they’re the two best times of year to hike Path of the Gods. Winter brings rain and potential for landslides so we’d skip the colder months.
Beat the rush – Go early if possible to avoid the heat and crowds, especially if you plan to take a bus to Nocelle or Bomerano in peak season. Not going up earlier was one of our biggest regrets, so next time we’d get the earliest possible bus.
Fear of heights – Parts of the trail have steep vertical drops to the side, and most of the hike has the sort of views that could easily induce a bout of vertigo. We don’t recommend the hike if you have a fear of heights.
Packing – It’s not a long hike (and it’s not taxing if you use public transport) but you’ll need more water than you think. Don’t forget snacks, sunscreen, sun hats, sunglasses and a decent pair of hiking shoes with grip. Check the local weather report before hiking so you know what to pack.
Shortening the trail from Nocelle: If you don’t want to hike the full out and back from Nocelle to Bomerano and back to Nocelle (for a total of 11km or 7 miles), we recommend turning around at Ulisse’s House Cafe. You’d see the best views, not bother walking on the road section to Bomerano and cut the hike down to just 6km (3.7 miles). This is exactly how we’d do it if we wanted to save time or effort.
Next Steps
We hope our guide helps you figure out exactly how you’ll hike Path of the Gods, but please let us know if you have any other questions in the comments box a little further below.
Still figuring out your plans for the Amalfi Coast?
Finally, if you’ll be visiting more places on the same trip, we recommend reading our Italy travel guide for more helpful tips and advice.
Happy Travels,
Mark and Kristen
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Mark and Kristen spent 6 years traveling the world, visiting over 40 countries across 4 continents and more than 30 US states. They created Where Are Those Morgans in 2018 to help others plan the best possible vacations by writing authentic travel and hiking guides based on their real experiences.
Since the arrival of baby Maya in late 2024, Mark and Kristen’s extensive travels have slowed down but they still take plenty of trips. Where Are Those Morgans now helps millions of travelers each year to visit new places and hike new trails through information-packed blog posts and expert travel guidebooks. Read more about Mark and Kristen.