Sentiero degli Dei, Amalfi Coast

Rick cannot cover everything, thus the guidebooks are limited. The Sentiero degli Dei has some logistical challenges and is not an easy hike. Have you scoped out the logistics of getting to and from?

I did it with my daughter and and her husband in Oct 2 years ago..

Best day of our vacation. We did use a guide but you can walk it on your own.

Unpopular opinion here: I think there’s a reason it’s not in the book. Plenty of people do it and enjoy it. I did not, and I’ll break down why.

It’s not especially easy to get to, or from. Most people start in Bomerano, picking up the bus in Amalfi. Even getting an early jump, the bus was full up with people impatiently waiting. If you’re not staying in Amalfi, add another layer. If you take the trail to Nocelle, make sure you find the bus stop there and take it. Bus service isn’t especially frequent, and as the afternoon wears on they fill up FAST with people just as desperate as you. If you’re trying to get back someplace or make a ferry, it’s stressful. Will I get on the next one? Will I have time?

I think it’s a harder trail than it’s made out to be. Most hiking groups you see are outfitted with hiking boots and walking sticks. Most tourists are not. Even well prepared and reasonably in shape, it wore me out a bit. The trail can be rocky, and there’s some sections that require scrambling. It’s pretty open too, it can be very sunny and hot. The trail has a lot of hikers. If you’re hoping for idyllic isolation then you’re in for a disappointment.

And you do this for the views, which are of course spectacular. The thing is, it’s hard to find a view on the Amalfi Coast that’s UN-spectacular. I remember riding the ferry back, looking up at the trail I had just walked with a nice drink in hand thinking “Looks just as great from down here.” The views from Ravello are darn near the same and you can have lunch while you’re there. Honestly, I think “Path of the Gods” should thank whoever cooked up the name. If it was called “Trail #5” it wouldn’t have nearly the cachet it has now. Views aside, it just wasn’t that interesting.

It’s not that it’s terrible. It’s just the fact that you’ll spend a whole day (and a good deal of energy) doing this. Unless you had a lot of days in the area to spend, you’re trading off something great to hike this trail. That’s the kicker. I regretted the hike for the reasons above, but mostly because it meant I gave up doing something else. Please keep that in mind before signing yourself up.

I appreciate the answers, thank-you! I especially appreciated the negative report. It was hones and detailed. Although it hasn't dissuaded me, it's given me a better idea of what I'm in for. I enjoy getting out for a hike while traveling and further research has revealed a half-dozen good hikes in the area, not just Sentiero degli Dei. Thanks again.