Path of the Gods

The trail starts in the village of Bomerano, where you can park (for free) in the parking lot and walk to the trailhead. After the first few hundred meters the first viewpoints will commence and they won’t disappear until you reach the sand at Positano beach! The hike will lead you from this inland village through the mountainous cliffs, sporadically joined by olive farms and wine fields exposing magnificent views of the coast and its cliffs. Some moments you will find yourself walking the path on 500m high cliffs, however, in general, the trail is well-maintained. On the way you will pass multiple small settlements/houses where you can stop for an espresso or buy a bottle of water and enjoy the amazing views.

This mythical landmark hike has inspired poets and artists alike. Legend has it that the cliffs were cut into the earth by the gods as they stampeded down from heaven to save Ulysses from the mermaids’ song. The hike can be somewhat challenging due to the steepness in certain parts, however, considering the relatively modest ascent it is very doable for average hikers.

The official trail ends in the tiny town of Nocelle which sits in the mountains, above Positano. However, once you finish the hike, it is possible to continue the walk to the coast (circa 30 minutes), which ends at the beach. However, it does involve around 400m of descending steep stairs. In case you want to save your knees, a local bus will run approximately once per hour to Positano. When deciding to hike down you can opt for the “upper trail”, which will give you more magnificent views compared to the less steep regular walk down.

The best time of the year to hike the Path of the Gods is undoubtedly the shoulder season. This means either April to June or September to October, so you can avoid the summer heat and crowds and the rainy winter weather.