ADVENTURE DESTINATION: The Path of the Gods, between History and Nature

By Jorge R. Jefferds March 13, 2022

The Path of the Gods is a natural trail about 9 kilometers long located inside the Amalfi coast, ideal for hiking and trekking. It starts in Agerola and ends in Positano, a walk immersed in the most uncontaminated nature that lasts 7 hours.
In recent years, the Path of the Gods has attained fame thanks to its skyline, a feature recognized as the most evocative and famous worldwide. Crossing the Amalfi Coast of the rich Mediterranean Scrub, vineyards act as environmental caretakers, growing along the ridge of the Lattari mountains that plunge into the blue sea of ​​the coast from which it is possible to see the island of Capri.

The Amalfi Coast

The name of the path derives from historical facts and legends, according to which the Greek gods passed right there to save Ulysses from the sirens that governed the island of Li Galli. The writer Italo Calvino described this magnificence as "a road suspended over the magical gulf of the 'Sirens' still plowed today by memory and myth." The same sentence flourishes on ceramic tiles located at the very beginning of the Path of the Gods.
The beauty of this path also lies in the absolute lack of human influence. The place is as mother nature conceived it and subsequently shaped it over the centuries. The hand of man can only exhibit its presence by the setting of protective barriers (in some points), and excellent signs alongside the route.

A Valley with Mediterranean Scrub

Not everyone knows that there are two paths to choose from, the Path of the Gods in "high" and "low", whose names derive from the height at which the path develops. In the first case, the high path starts from Bomerano (Agerola) and ends in Santa Maria Del Castello and is slightly more challenging due to the presence of many uphill stretches, while the low path is the one that crosses Nocelle, and is less demanding, advisable for people who are advanced in age or who are not they want to get very tired.
The path starts in a fraction of Agerola (Bomerano) ending in the upper part of Positano (Nocelle). This nature trail measures a length of about 10 kilometers (round trip). The complete excursion takes about 7 hours, a period that can vary according to the speed of the pace and the number of breaks that take place during the journey.

Vallone Porto Hiking Path

Across the entire route, structures give protection generously to the most challenging and inaccessible points. Panoramic terraces allow the contemplation of the Faraglioni in the Capri Island, Punta Penna, the Li Galli island, and the Lattari Mountains. Comfortable wooden benches enable the tired to rest and recover energy by the refreshment of water and some snacks. Likewise, there are several sources of fresh and drinkable water, a real boon when the decision is to visit this place in the summer, and when the sun is scorching.
As previously specified, the path has a total length of 10 square kilometers, but most tourists only make the outward journey, that is, starting in Bomerano (Agerola) and arriving in Nocelle (Positano). Retracing the path backward would not have much sense given all its beauties already admired on the way.

Scenic View of Positano at Sunset

So once reached the destination, how is it possible to return to the starting point?
At the end of the path, the return from Positano is possible by public or private bus. Alternatively, there is a local ferry. Regardless of the means chosen, visitors arrive in Amalfi, from where they will need to take a shuttle bus that will drive them back to the point of origin in Bomerano (Agerola). It is a fairly long return (also due to the traffic normally encountered on holidays through the coast), and it is necessary to allow at least 3 hours to complete it.
Once again, the trip takes about 7 hours. Therefore, it is reasonable to leave in the morning, not too late. Being there around 9 am would allow a safe return by 16 in the afternoon.
An aspect that visitors should not overlook is the time of the year preferred for a hike on this trail. In the summer, days have more hours of light. On the contrary, in the less hot months such as October, March, and April, available daylight hours are fewer. Therefore, this aspect must be taken into consideration to avoid returning from the path with little sunlight.

Capri Island

The path is not extremely demanding, but at the same time, it still requires a minimum of physical fitness suitable for walking for about 10 kilometers. The recommended clothing, especially during the warmer months, is light. If allergic to various plants or herbs, the recommendation is to wear knee-length trousers or long trousers.
Throughout the Path of the Gods, there are places worth the attention. Among them, the Grotta Biscotto, the Rock Villages, and the "Pistillo " are points of prominent sightseeing.
Starting from Bomerano (the beginning of the Path) the first place worth a visit is a cavity located at 528 meters above sea level called Grotta del Biscotto. There are several cliffs and precipices that at some points can reach up to 200 meters in height, here the panorama is breathtaking precisely because of the particularity of the rocky stretch.

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Upon the arrival to the "Grotta del Biscotto", it is possible to admire the ancient settlements that are defined as real " Rock Villages." These villages have a peculiar construction style attached directly to the rock, though some of these rocky villages are at the peaks of the aforementioned drift. They almost seem suspended. According to the guides, these settlements date back to the period of the Saracen raids.
Finally, another well-known point of the path is the so-called "Pistillo” a spur of rock at the base of which rises a bristly limestone spire renamed "pistil," a point where visitors can immortalize it in photos and their videos.