Sentiero degli Dei

The Sentiero degli Dei is a 5 km point-to-point hiking trail in Campania, Italy, descending roughly 300 m from Bomerano (630 m) to Nocelle (about 300 m) along the cliffs above the Amalfi Coast. Rated moderate, this celebrated "Path of the Gods" delivers nonstop sea views over Positano, Praiano and the Li Galli islands across a single half-day walk.

About the Sentiero degli Dei

The Sentiero degli Dei — the "Path of the Gods" — is the most famous footpath on Italy's Amalfi Coast, threading along the limestone flank of the Monti Lattari range some 500–630 m above the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is officially waymarked as CAI trail no. 16 and runs between the village of Bomerano, a frazione of Agerola in the Province of Naples, and Nocelle, a hamlet above Positano in the Province of Salerno. The trail is maintained by volunteers of the Club Alpino Italiano, including the Sezione CAI of Castellammare di Stabia and Cava de' Tirreni.

For centuries this route was the only overland link between the cliff-top villages, walked by mule trains and farmers long before the Bourbons cut the modern coastal road below in the 19th century. The name draws on Greek myth: legend holds that the gods used this high path to reach the rocky islets of Li Galli, where the Sirens were said to lure Ulysses. Walking it today, the mythology feels earned — the path hangs above a near-vertical drop with the whole Costiera Amalfitana laid out beneath your boots.

The classic and most-walked line is the "low" route from Bomerano to Nocelle, roughly 5 km of mostly gentle descent that most hikers complete in three to four hours including photo stops. A tougher "high" variant climbs from Bomerano toward Montepertuso and Monte Tre Calli (1,111 m), adding serious elevation for those wanting a longer day. This guide focuses on the standard 5 km low route, the one that earns the trail its reputation as one of the finest coastal walks in the Mediterranean.

Route Overview & Stages

The walk is short enough to do in a single push, but it breaks naturally into four recognisable sections. The overall profile is net downhill — you start high at Bomerano and finish at Nocelle, then descend a long stone staircase to Positano. Total cumulative ascent on the low route is modest, around 150 m, against roughly 450 m of descent.

Most hikers start in Bomerano because the route then runs predominantly downhill with the sea always ahead of them. Walking west-to-east (Nocelle to Bomerano) is possible but means a stiff climb and the views are behind you. From Nocelle you can either ride a local bus down to Positano or descend the famous staircase — about 1,700 steps that punish the knees but end at the beach.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Bomerano trailhead (Piazza Paolo Capasso) — the 630 m starting square in Agerola, with a large painted trail map and the last reliable cafe before the path.
• Grotto del Biscotto — an overhanging rock shelter early on the route where ruined stone dwellings cling beneath the cliff, hinting at the path's centuries of working use.
• Colle Serra — the low saddle where the trail opens out and the full sweep of coastline toward Capri first appears.
• Praiano viewpoints — a string of natural balconies looking straight down onto the rooftops and church dome of Praiano, 500 m below.
• Li Galli archipelago — the cluster of tiny islands offshore, mythological home of the Sirens and once owned by the dancer Rudolf Nureyev.
• Nocelle — a tiny terraced hamlet above Positano with lemon groves, a couple of family-run trattorias and the last water fountain on the route.
• Positano staircase — the long flight of steps dropping from Nocelle to Positano's pastel houses and beach, an optional but iconic finish.
• Monte Tre Calli (1,111 m) — the high point of the strenuous "alto" variant, reached via Montepertuso for hikers wanting summit panoramas over the whole peninsula.

Best Time to Hike the Sentiero degli Dei

The single best month to walk the Sentiero degli Dei is May. As of 2026, late spring delivers the rare combination this exposed, shadeless cliff path needs: daytime highs around 20–24°C, dry stable weather, wildflowers and broom in bloom across the terraces, and crowds that have not yet reached the July–August crush. September is a close second, with warm sea-facing light and thinner foot traffic once the peak holiday weeks end.

Avoid the height of summer if you can. From mid-June through August the trail bakes — there is almost no shade across the entire 5 km, midday temperatures regularly exceed 30°C, and the narrow ledges become congested with tour groups. Winter (December–February) is walkable on clear days and beautifully quiet, but Mediterranean storms can make the exposed sections slick and the short daylight limits photo time. Always check the forecast: rain turns the limestone underfoot greasy and can trigger rockfall on the steeper traverses. For a full day's effort like this, plan your energy and food carefully — our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day is worth a read before you set off.

Practical Information

Accommodation

Because the trail is a half-day walk, most hikers base themselves in one of the coastal towns rather than camping — wild camping is not permitted along the route or in the Monti Lattari. Agerola (near the Bomerano trailhead) is the budget-friendly choice, with B&Bs and agriturismi from around €60–90 per night and an HI-affiliated hostel, Beata Solitudo, offering dorm beds from roughly €20. Praiano sits midway and is quieter than its glamorous neighbour, with guesthouses from about €90–140. Positano is the scenic but expensive option — expect €150–300+ in season for a modest room. Booking well ahead for May or September is essential.

Getting There & Back

The nearest airport is Naples International (NAP), about 60 km away — roughly 90 minutes to Agerola by car or bus. The nearest train station is Castellammare di Stabia on the Circumvesuviana line from Naples (about 45 minutes), from where SITA Sud buses climb to Agerola/Bomerano in another 45–60 minutes. From Bomerano's Piazza Paolo Capasso the trailhead is a five-minute walk. At the Nocelle finish, a small local bus connects down to Positano (about 10 minutes), where SITA buses and seasonal ferries link back to Sorrento, Amalfi and Salerno. Many walkers ride up to Bomerano in the morning and return by ferry from Positano in the afternoon, making a clean point-to-point day.

Permits & Fees

No permit and no entry fee are required to hike the Sentiero degli Dei — it is a free, publicly maintained CAI trail open year-round. Your only costs are transport, food and accommodation. Verify current timetables and trail status with the maintaining club at the CAI Monti Lattari trail page and check regional bus schedules with SITA Sud Trasporti before travelling, as Amalfi Coast bus frequencies vary sharply by season.

Gear & Packing List

This is a short but exposed day hike on rocky, sometimes uneven limestone with sheer drops, so footwear and sun protection matter more than pack volume. Bring proper trail shoes or light hiking boots with grippy soles — trainers slip on the polished rock. Because there is virtually no shade, pack at least 1.5–2 litres of water per person, a sun hat, high-SPF sunscreen and sunglasses, plus a windproof layer for the breezy ledges.

A small, comfortable daypack is all you need. The Salomon ADV Skin 12 is ideal for a fast, light traverse like this, while the Fjallraven Abisko Hike 35 suits anyone carrying extra layers, a picnic and camera gear. If you are folding this into a longer Amalfi trip with hut-to-hut sections, a larger ultralight pack such as the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Windrider keeps weight down. For a deeper comparison, see our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the Sentiero degli Dei leaves you wanting more Italian distance, several long-distance routes elsewhere in the country offer multi-day adventure on a very different scale — think 700+ km waymarked networks rather than a coastal half-day. For ideas further afield, our guide on how to hike the Theth to Valbona trail in Albania covers another classic Mediterranean mountain crossing.

• JK16 — Italy, 720 km
• JK17 — Italy, 720 km
• JK18 — Italy, 720 km
• JK19 — Italy, 720 km
• JK20 — Italy, 720 km

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Sentiero degli Dei?
May is the single best month, offering 20–24°C temperatures, dry stable weather, blooming terraces and lighter crowds than midsummer. September is an excellent alternative. Avoid July and August, when the shadeless path bakes above 30°C and tour groups crowd the narrow ledges. Always check the forecast, since rain makes the limestone slippery.

How difficult is the Sentiero degli Dei?
It is rated moderate. The 5 km low route from Bomerano to Nocelle runs mostly downhill with only about 150 m of total ascent, so fitness demands are low. The challenge comes from exposure — narrow, rocky ledges with steep drops and no railings — plus the heat. Anyone comfortable on uneven cliff paths will manage it in three to four hours.

How long is the trail and how much do you walk per day?
The classic Bomerano-to-Nocelle section is roughly 5 km and is almost always done as a single day hike of three to four hours, including photo stops. Adding the optional 1,700-step descent into Positano extends it slightly. The strenuous "high" variant via Monte Tre Calli (1,111 m) is considerably longer for those wanting a full day's effort.

Where can you stay near the trail?
Most hikers base in Agerola near the Bomerano trailhead, where B&Bs run €60–90 and a hostel offers dorm beds around €20. Praiano sits midway with guesthouses from €90–140, while Positano is scenic but expensive at €150–300+ in season. Wild camping is not permitted along the route, so book accommodation in a coastal town in advance.

Do you need a permit to hike the Sentiero degli Dei?
No. The Sentiero degli Dei is a free, publicly maintained CAI trail (no. 16) open year-round with no permit or entry fee required. Your only expenses are transport, food and lodging. It is worth checking current bus timetables and trail conditions with the local CAI section and SITA Sud before you travel, as Amalfi Coast services change seasonally.