Path of the Gods: Why You Might Want to SKIP it!

Embark on an unforgettable adventure along the Path of the Gods hike in Italy! This incredible journey offers stunning views, breathtaking scenery, and fascinating history. From charming mountain villages to dramatic cliffs overlooking glistening seas, this trail has it all. Experience the intoxicating scent of wild herbs and discover centuries-old ruins along the way. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or an adventurous traveler, this life-changing journey is truly special.

But beware! Many blogs glamourize this hike and make it seem easy. It's no joke! We'll reveal the truth about hiking the Path of the Gods and guide you on the best way to conquer this challenging adventure.

Path of the gods Hike Details

• Distance: 4.7 miles

• Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult

• Time: 3-5 hours

• Start: Bomerano

• Finish: Positano

Choose your route

There are several ways you can conquer the Path of the Gods. Let’s lay them all out, and you can choose the best route for you. We will list the options from hardest to easiest.

Hardest Hike

For serious hikers who want a serious challenge, start in Positano and hit the stairs up to Nocelle. Hike the Path of the Gods and then head back down!

And when I say stairs, I mean 1800 of those stone steps! It is not a joke, so if you are not in great shape, I do not suggest attempting this.

Route Stats

• Distance: 11.6 miles

• Difficulty: Very Difficult

• Assent: The end of the hike is 2372 feet above sea level

• Stairs: 1800 up and 1800 down (down will be more difficult on the knees for some)

• Time: 6-8 hours

• Start: Positano

• Finish: Positano

Very challenging

If you want to challenge yourself but don’t want to spend all day doing it, start the hike in Positano and end in Bomerano. You will face the challenging stairs and ascend to the top of the Path of the Gods, but your reward is a nice meal and a taxi ride back to Positano!

Route Stats

• Distance: 5.8 miles

• Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult

• Ascent: 2372 feet above sea level

• Stairs: 1800 up

• Time: 4-6 hours

• Start: Positano

• Finish: Bomerano

Challenging

Another option is to skip the stairs and start the hike in Nocello. You can easily take public transportation or a taxi to Nocello and hop on the end of the Path of the Gods. This will allow you to immediately hit the trail and head up. We met a couple who booked their hotel in Nocello so they could easily hike the trail.

Route Stats

• Distance: 3.7 miles

• Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult

• Ascent: 1800 feet

• Time: 3-5 hours

• Start: Nocello

• Finish: Positano

Getting easier

To see the same great views and not kill yourself, you could start at the top and work your way down. Take a taxi or public transportation to Bomerano and hike your way down to Positano. I have read the views are better this way because you are looking toward the coast of Positano the entire time. Since I only went in this direction, I can not say if the views are better than the climb up.

Route Stats

• Distance: 5.8 miles

• Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult

• Decent: 2372 feet

• Stairs: 1800 down

• Time: 4-6 hours

• Start: Bomerano

• Finish: Positano

Easiest hike

If you don’t want to spend all day and all your energy on the trail, this is your hike. You get all of the amazing views without those stairs! This is the route we chose for our hike. You can take a taxi to Bomerano to begin your hike. When you get to Nocello, you can hop on the bus down to Positano.

Route Stats

• Distance: 3.7 miles

• Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult

• Decent: 1800 feet

• Time: 3-5 hours

• Start: Bomerano

• Finish: Nocello

top tips for path of the gods

• Take plenty of water, especially in the summer months. There is little shade on the hike, and you will get dehydrated!

• Hit all the water stations. You will pass a few water stations on the hike. Don’t pass them up. Fill those water bottles.

• Wear good hikers. The terrain is rocky, sandy, and everything in between. We have really good, comfortable hiking shoes. We saw quite a few falls where we were on the trail, including Phil.

• Bring snacks. Bring fuel for the hike. Protein bars, nuts, carbs, or whatever you prefer for hiking fuel. You don’t want to be in the middle of a 4-hour hike and run out of fuel.

• Grab an espresso in Bomerano. If you are starting your hike here, I recommend you grab an espresso at a cafe so you can use the bathroom one last time. There will not be facilities along the path.

• Go early! Not only will the trail get hot, but it will also get crowded. We recommend starting as early as possible. Set that alarm and get up super early.

• Stop for a Lemonade. Along the path, you will run into a few families who sell frozen lemonade and other cool beverages. Stop and look around. As you enjoy your ice-cold lemonade, admire the clever workmanship of the shop owner. You will find clever homemade tables and chairs sitting alongside goat pens.

• Skip the booze. We do not recommend drinking alcohol along the path. It may lead to dehydration.

• Don’t Pass the Bathroom. Bathrooms can be found in Bomerano and Nocello. You may be required to make a purchase to use the bathroom.

• Be prepared for cliff edges. There are almost no handrails on the path, but there are plenty of edges and dropoffs. But the path is wide and well-marked. It is completely safe. If you get nervous about heights, just stay as far away from the edge as the path allows.

• Where are you? As you are hiking, pay attention to the numbered tiles. The tiles mark your location on the path.

• Call 118 in an emergency. If you find yourself in an emergency and in need of assistance, call 118. It is Italy’s version of 911. You can tell them where you are by telling them the number of the closest emergency tile.

• Avoid July and August if possible. These are the hottest months of the year for Italy. Temperatures will climb into the mid to high 90s F. with high humidity. This is also peak season for this area. Crowds will be thick, and prices will be highest.

• No cell signal. For much of the path, you will be out in the middle of nowhere without a cell signal. Our phone was in and out for the entire hike.

Everyone should hike path of the gods

Absolutely not, and I mean ABSOLUTELY NOT! Thike is not for everyone. Be real about your abilities. The last thing you want is to end up injured and ruin your Italian vacation. And trust me, you definitely don't want to be so sore the next day that you can't even walk!

Now, let's talk about priorities regarding the vacation hit list. If this hike isn't at the top, just skip it. It'll eat up most of the day just getting there, hiking, and then getting back to your hotel. If hiking isn't worth sacrificing a whole day for, consider other options. Thankfully, there are plenty of breathtaking views in the area that will leave you in awe.

Enjoy the Amalfi Coast

It's all about following your passions and doing what you love. Wherever you go, the beauty of the Amalfi coast will be waiting for you. Ciao!

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Meet Stacy! Stacy and her husband, Phil, are a wanderlust couple who have been roaming the great USA for an epic 5 years! They ditched the daily grind to embark on thrilling adventures and inspire fellow dreamers to chase their travel dreams. Curious about how they do it? Check out their awesome youtube channel, Today is Someday, where they're spilling all the secrets to living a life on the move. Get ready to pack your bags and join them on this incredible journey.