Path of the Gods via Amalfi ferry
Sail from Positano to Amalfi, bus to Bomerano, and hike the Sentiero degli Dei back to Nocelle with ticket advice and timings.
Before you leave the hostel
Pack water, snacks, sunscreen, and layers. There are no services between Bomerano and Nocelle once you leave the villages.
Check the latest ferry timetable (Travelmar or Lucibello) and SITA bus times. Aim for a morning departure to avoid midday heat on the exposed ridgeline.
Carry three SITA bus tickets per person: Amalfi → Bomerano, Nocelle → Positano, and a spare in case of delays.
Walk to Positano port and buy bus tickets
Exit the hostel, turn left, and walk about 100 metres to Bar Internazionale. Purchase SITA tickets at the tabacchi counter before continuing downhill.
Follow the shortcut stairs toward Spiaggia Grande. The walk takes roughly 20–30 minutes; allow extra time on busy days.
At the beach, turn right to reach the small harbour where the ferry operators have adjacent ticket booths.
Secure a ferry to Amalfi
Check the boards outside Lucibello and Travelmar for the next sailing. Morning boats typically run every 30–60 minutes in season.
Buy a one-way ticket to Amalfi and keep it handy for boarding; each operator calls passengers a few minutes before departure.
Queues form quickly, so arrive at least 15 minutes before your chosen ferry to guarantee a spot on deck.
Ride the ferry and enjoy Amalfi
The crossing lasts about 25 minutes. Stand on the starboard side for views back toward Positano and Praiano.
Once you dock, disembark promptly and walk straight ahead to the bus terminal located to the left of the harbour piazza.
If you have time before the bus, explore Amalfi's cathedral square or grab an espresso—just keep an eye on the bus bay for the Agerola departure.
Catch the bus to Bomerano
Look for the SITA bus marked 'Agerola/Bomerano'. Validate your ticket as you board and sit toward the front for fewer switchbacks.
After about 45 minutes, disembark at the Bomerano stop beside Ristorante Jerla. Cross the road and follow the side street downhill to the piazza.
Continue left across the square, then follow signs for 'Sentiero degli Dei' to reach the trailhead notice board.
Hike from Bomerano to Nocelle
The trail undulates for roughly 6 kilometres. Expect stone steps, narrow ledges, and spectacular balconies overlooking the coast.
Take breaks at marked viewpoints and carry out all rubbish. Respect local farmers and stay on the signed path.
When the dirt path meets the concrete walkway into Nocelle, you have reached the finish.
Navigate through Nocelle
Follow the paved path into town, keeping right at the first junction to avoid the 1,700-step staircase to Positano.
Walk about 175 metres to the bus stop near the small car park. The kiosk by the church sells cold drinks in season.
Arrive at least 10 minutes early; buses sometimes stop just before the shelter when the parking area is busy.
Return to Positano
Board the Montepertuso/Nocelle bus back to Positano and disembark at Bar Internazionale or Chiesa Nuova for the shortest walk to the hostel.
If you choose to walk down the road instead, allow 45–60 minutes and stay alert for local traffic on the bends.
Once back in town, reward yourself with a granita or late lunch—the hardest part of the day is done.
Sample journey timings
06:30 depart hostel → 07:10 ferry → 08:40 arrive Bomerano → 3-hour hike → 12:30 bus back → 13:00 return to Positano.
08:00 departure still fits before lunch: 08:00 leave hostel, 08:40 ferry, 10:15 reach trail, 14:30 back in town.
Later sailings work in shoulder season, but always check the last Nocelle bus before committing to an afternoon start.
Essentials
- Ferry ticket Positano ⇄ Amalfi plus three SITA bus tickets per person (Amalfi → Bomerano, Nocelle → Positano, spare).
- 1.5–2 litres of water, snacks or a packed panino, sunscreen, and a hat.
- Comfortable shoes with grip for uneven steps and rocky ledges.
Typical costs
- Ferry Positano → Amalfi: €12–€16 one way depending on operator and season.
- SITA bus Amalfi → Bomerano and Nocelle → Positano: €2–€4 per leg if bought in advance.
- Snacks or panini from the mini-market en route: €4–€8.
Route tips
- Start early to beat the heat and secure ferry seats—first sailings are the quietest.
- Buy a takeaway panino at the second mini-market on Via Pasitea for an affordable trail lunch.
- Keep ferry and bus tickets together in a waterproof pouch so you can present them quickly when boarding.
Watch-outs
- Do not follow the signposted stairs from Nocelle to Positano unless you specifically want a 1,700-step descent that ends far from the hostel.
- Rough seas can cancel ferries with little notice—check conditions at the harbour and fall back to the all-bus route if needed.
- Summer afternoons are exposed and hot; if you miss the morning ferry, delay to late afternoon rather than marching under peak sun.
FAQs
Where should I buy transport tickets?
Purchase SITA bus tickets at Bar Internazionale before walking downhill, and buy the ferry ticket directly from Lucibello or Travelmar at the harbour kiosks.
How much time should I allow in Amalfi?
Check the timetables to see how the ferry arrival and bus departure aligns.
What if the ferry is cancelled?
Check conditions at the harbour. If boats stop running, switch to the Path of the Gods via Amalfi bus guide—it follows the same trail once you reach Bomerano.