Path of the Gods: Stroll suspended above the sea in Campania

Breathtaking views to be admired while walking suspended in the air; ancient terraces perfectly cultivated with lemon trees, olive trees, and vineyards; characteristic villages still intact, where time seems to stand still. Path of the Gods, accessible year-round, is considered one of the most beautiful nature trails in the world: a seven-kilometer route from Agerola, in the province of Naples, to Nocelle, in the upper part of Positano, in the province of Salerno, ideal for trekking overlooking the sea. That is, on the Gulf of Sirens, along the western side of the western coast, overlooking a panorama that includes the Faraglioni of Capri and the island of Li Galli.

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Origins of the name

The name Path of the Gods comes from the legend that the Greek gods passed through here to save Ulysses from the sirens on the island of Galli. The trail, which today is accessible for trekking, dates back to the 1970s, thanks to the tireless work of Ettore Paduano, a member of the Naples chapter of the CAI (Italian Alpine Club), founded by Giustino Fortunato, the father of Southern Italianism.

Get inspired

The walk, a perfect route to trekkingStarting from the small square of Bomerano in Agerola, the hike lasts about seven hours there and back. It includes a few stops on comfortable wooden benches and at various fresh, drinkable water springs. The two must-see stops along the way are the Grotta del Biscotto (Cave of the Biscuit), so named for the unique geological formation of the rock, which resembles the toasted bread of Agerola, and the Colle Serra Pass with its picturesque terraces.

Santa Maria del Castello

Those who love pristine nature, where the traces of human hands are delicate and respectful, and where trekking is effortless yet incredibly moving, cannot miss the complete hike along the Path of the Gods. You walk as if on a footbridge suspended over the sea, passing through woods where holm oaks alternate with trees such as flowering ash and downy oak. The silence of infinity is interrupted only by a few herds of goats guarded by sheepdogs. Depending on your physical condition, you can choose between the high trail, which ends in Santa Maria del Castello and features many uphill sections, and the lower trail, which passes through Nocelle and is less demanding.

Biscuit Cave

A stop at the Grotta del Biscotto is a must: inside, you'll find the ruins of centuries-old cave dwellings, with slits and holes dug into the stone to make doors and windows. Halfway along the route, at 580 meters above sea level, lies the Colle Serra Pass. Here, you'll be surrounded by Mediterranean scrub flora (chestnut trees, holm oaks, alders, and strawberry trees) and, with a bit of luck, you will have the company of the Peregrine Falcon.

Even today, the Biscotto Cave is a popular destination for shepherds who bring their flocks here. Some of them also double as shepherds, accompanying tourists on walks along the Path of the Gods and offering bread and cheese made exclusively in Agerola.

Colle Serra Pass

The plots cultivated at Passo Colle Serra are reserved for vineyards of a native variety of ancient origin: Per 'e palummo, a dialectal transformation of Piede di colombo. This wine is considered prized for its quality and its name

refers to the red grapes from which it is obtained, a color associated by farmers with the legs of pigeons.

When to go

The Path of the Gods can be hiked at any time, but remember that it is a mountain trail, exposed to the risks of rain and wind, and that there are many unprotected overhanging points along the route. For this reason, there are months (or even days) when it is not advisable to venture along the Path.

The best time to visit the Trail is definitely from April to October, when the hours of sunlight are longest and the weather tends to guarantee sunny days. In this case, we recommend avoiding excessively hot days.

Information

For all information, please consult the website, which also provides updated weather conditions on the Trail and along the entire Amalfi Coast:

www.IlSentieroDegliDei.net

How to get there

The Path of the Gods is located within the municipality of Agerola. Those coming from the north, from Naples or north, take the A3 motorway (also indicated as E45 on maps) and follow it to the Castellammare di Stabia exit. Then, head towards Gragnano/Lettere/Agerola/Amalfi and then merge onto the SS145 state road (also known as the Sorrento state road). Next, merge onto the SS366 state road towards Agerola, where you exit to reach one of the parking lots in the hamlet of Bomerano.

To reach the Path of the Gods, there are also Sita buses, which run to the hamlet of Bomerano, where the Path begins. Buses depart from Amalfi, from the Sita terminal located near Piazza Flavio Gioia. Other services to Bomerano are also available from Naples and Castellammare di Stabia.

If you depart from Positano: bus to Amalfi + bus Amalfi-Agerola (2 hours)
If you're leaving from Sorrento: bus to Amalfi via Positano + bus Amalfi-Agerola (3 hours)

Path of the Gods: Trekking suspended above the most beautiful gulf in the world