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Hiking the Path of the Gods from Positano

Positano is where the trail ends, not where it starts. That's the whole puzzle. You either travel round to the start in Bomerano and walk home, or you start at the Positano end and walk uphill.

View down to Positano and the bay from the path
Photo: Vanna06, CC BY-SA 4.0

The easiest way: a transfer or a guided hike

A private driver can take you straight from your hotel in Positano to the trailhead in Bomerano, so you simply walk home along the trail. Or join a guided hike that starts on the coast and handles the whole day for you.

Option 1: Bus to the start, walk home

This is the classic direction: mostly downhill, with the sea in front of you the whole way. You just need to get to the start in Bomerano.

  1. Positano → Amalfi on the SITA coastal bus, just under an hour depending on traffic.
  2. Amalfi → Bomerano on the SITA bus up to Agerola, about 40 minutes.
  3. Walk from Bomerano to Nocelle. See the route.
  4. Nocelle → Positano on the small Mobility Amalfi Coast bus (about 25 minutes), or walk down the roughly 1,700 steps.

That's three bus rides, so buy tickets for each before you set off. Aim for the first or second bus out of Positano: a start around 7 a.m. gets you on the trail before the heat and back in Positano by lunchtime. Timetables change with the season, so check the current SITA times the day before. The Unico Campania app is one place to find them.

Option 2: Walk it in reverse, Nocelle to Bomerano

Take the local bus up to Nocelle, walk the path to Bomerano, then take the bus down to Amalfi and get back to Positano by bus or, in season, by ferry. The walking time is similar, but you climb rather than descend, with the best views behind you. It suits people who would rather have an uphill walk than an early two-bus start. It's harder work in the heat, and it leaves the long journey home until the end of the day, when buses are fullest.

Don't start by walking up the steps from Positano to Nocelle as well. That turns a pleasant hike into a tough one. Take the bus to Nocelle.

Option 3: A shorter out-and-back from Nocelle

If you only want a taste, take the bus up to Nocelle and walk along the path for as long as you like, then turn round. You get the terraces and the coastal views with no bus chain and no fixed finish. It works well with children or on a very hot day. Bring water, since there's a fountain in Nocelle but little on the way.

More guided hikes, including from Sorrento and Naples, are on guided tours.

Common questions

Which direction is better if I'm staying in Positano?

Bomerano to Nocelle, the classic direction, for most people: it's mostly downhill, the views are ahead of you, and you finish close to your hotel. Walk it in reverse only if you prefer climbing to an early start with two buses.

Can I leave from Positano and be back the same day?

Easily. With an early bus you can be back in Positano by early afternoon. Just leave slack for the Nocelle bus, which isn't frequent.

Is there a direct bus from Positano to the trailhead?

No. Public buses go via Amalfi. For a direct trip, use a private driver or book a guided hike with transport.