Our family of four (including older teens) will visit Sorrento in early July. Any recommended tips and sections to hike the scenic Path of Gods along Amalfi Coast for those with fear of heights? We are all physically fit, so less concerned about whether it's strenuous--but wondering where to enter/exit for scenic sections that don't have steep drops next to trail....does this exist?
Posted by
Kenmore, WA
194 posts
I have zero fear of heights, so maybe I'm not the right person to comment here, but my wife certainly isn't a big fan of steep drops, and neither is one of the other people we were hiking with, and I don't recall anyone having any issues with the trail or proximity to steep drops or "too close to the edge" when we did this hike a few months ago.
It is about 1000 ft. above sea level, up on the side of a series of mountains that go all the way down to the sea. So if "BEING" up high or "feeling like you're up there" is an issue, you'll certainly need to factor that in to your own fear-of-heights equation. Honestly, I think it was one of the highlights of our 5 days on the Amalfi Coast. I will say that it being breezy and in the 50's with an occasional sprinkle kept us cooler than you'll probably be in July. YMMV. : )
I would recommend starting at the Bomerano end (take a bus or a driver to that point, as it's a lung busting climb up from Praiano), then hike the relatively level path (a little up, a little down, but not a huge difference in elevation from point-to-point) to Nocello, which is relatively close to Positano. From there you can either do the 1700+ steps down to the road (you'll feel muscles you didn't know you had after that!) and then into Positano (and boat, bus or drive from there to your next adventure), or catch a bus from Nocello to wherever you need to go next.
Posted by
755 posts
I have done the hike a couple of times and agree completely with hubestur.
Posted by
1054 posts
I have a fear of heights, there’s no section of the trail that had any problems with. It’s a mostly wide, well worn trail. However, I do think it’s a little harder than I anticipated. While relatively even elevation, there are a few rocky sections you’ll need to scramble. It’s very exposed, you’re in for a very hot and sunny hike. Be very prepared. Bomerano is the easy place to pick it up. Unless there’s a bus from Sorrento that goes over the peninsula you’ll have to get to Amalfi first and then bus up there.
Honestly, I did the hike and for a number of reasons have never recommended it to anyone. It’s an effort to get up there and back to wherever you’re staying. In July, it’s going to be a long, HOT day. There’s no shortage of tremendous views around here, you don’t need to do this to see them. Considering the very limited time most people have around here, I would do something else that day.
Posted by
5164 posts
I'd be more worried about the heat. There are shaded hikes out of Amalfi, and there is the path of the lemons from Minori/Maiori, which was not as difficult as POTG is reputed to be from some.