Illustrative artwork — an impression of Path of the Gods — Amalfi Coast, not a literal photograph.
The Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei) is a clifftop day hike high above the Amalfi Coast, most often walked downhill from Bomerano, in the hill town of Agerola, to Nocelle above Positano, where a long staircase carries you down to the sea. Because the trail runs above the coastal towns rather than through them, where you sleep comes down to a choice: stay on the coast below, or base yourself up in the cooler hills near the trailhead.
Why hike here
What makes this walk special is the vantage it gives you on a coastline usually seen from below. The trail runs along the cliffs high above Positano, Praiano, and Amalfi, the sea a long way down and terraced lemon groves and whitewashed villages clinging to the slopes beneath you. Because the path is exposed the whole way, the light and the drop-off become part of the experience — open sky, thin scrub, stone underfoot, and long views up and down the coast rather than shade and cover. The walk ends with a genuine change of register: after miles of cliff-edge trail, the long staircase down into Nocelle drops you from wide-open ridgeline into the terraced gardens and narrow lanes above Positano, the sea rising to meet you step by step.
Getting there
The realistic route in is to fly into Naples, the main gateway airport for the region, then continue by train or bus down to the Amalfi Coast. From there, local buses connect the coastal towns — Positano, Praiano, Amalfi — with Agerola and Bomerano, where most hikers start the trail; the coast road is narrow and buses can run slow and crowded in peak season, so build extra time into your travel day. Hikers based up in Agerola reach the Bomerano trailhead directly, while those staying on the coast typically bus up before walking back down.
Where to stay
The realistic options, closest-to-the-trail first. Book through the official links — we don't list prices or availability because they change all the time.
Illustrative — evokes the setting, not a specific property. For example: Hotels, B&Bs and rentals in the Amalfi Coast towns below the trail
Most visitors — sleep on the coast and reach the trail by bus.
Rooms are pricey and busy in season; book early.
Coastal-town lodgingFor example: Guesthouses and rentals up in Agerola at the trail’s usual start
Hikers who want a quieter, cooler base at the trailhead.
Starting from Bomerano means walking the classic downhill direction to Nocelle.
Village lodgingPermits & rules
No permit is required. Most hikers start high at Bomerano (Agerola) and finish at Nocelle above Positano, where a long staircase drops to the coast. Carry water and sun protection — the path is exposed and hot.
Gear you'll want for this trip
Matched to the terrain and conditions here. Real products — check current price on Amazon.
Common questions
Where should I stay to hike the Path of the Gods?
Most hikers base themselves in the coastal towns below the trail — Positano, Praiano, or Amalfi — in hotels, B&Bs, or rentals, reached by local bus. An alternative is to stay up in Agerola, near the Bomerano trailhead, where guesthouses tend to be quieter and cooler than the busy coast and put you right at the start of the walk.
When is the best time to hike the Path of the Gods?
April through June and September through October are generally considered the best windows, with milder temperatures for a trail that offers little shade. Summer on the Amalfi Coast gets hot, and the exposed cliffside path has no real relief from the sun, so carry plenty of water and sun protection whenever you go.
Do I need to book accommodations in advance?
Rooms along the Amalfi Coast get pricey and busy during hiking season, so booking ahead is a sensible precaution rather than an optional extra. This applies to both the coastal towns below the trail and the guesthouses up in Agerola, since neither area is set up for a large last-minute influx of hikers.
Complete gearsets for this trip
Full curated kits built for exactly this kind of hike — what to bring, why, and links to similar gear.
Lodging details are compiled from official parks, refuge associations and reservation systems and can change without notice. We publish no prices, availability or ratings — always confirm current information on the official site before booking or setting out. Product links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you; prices and availability are shown on Amazon. See our affiliate disclosure.