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The Path of the Gods is a one-way trail: book your bed and last bus at the end first, then work backwards when to start—leaving luggage at the start is the most common mistake
The Path of the Gods is a one-way trail; luggage must never be left at the start. Around August 15 (Ferragosto, a national holiday in Italy), coastal public transport and ferry services may be significantly reduced with earlier last departures (source: finetuscany.com). Correct approach: book accommodation at the endpoint (Positano/Salerno), first check the day's last SITA bus ticket (not sold on board) and ferry schedule, then work backwards to determine departure time.
The decision, from above
One-way trail: luggage and return transport are the biggest risks
Planning a one-way trail as a round trip = luggage at the start, you stranded at the end; descending too late = no SITA tickets available (not sold on board) + ferry service ends, alternative is a €200-level private transfer; services are heavily reduced around August 15 Ferragosto.
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- Amalfi Coast
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- How to get to the start (Bomerano) in the morning
Time-sensitive · plan around it
Every August 15 is the Italian national public holiday Ferragosto (Assumption Day): on and around this date, public transport and ferry services on the Amalfi Coast may be significantly reduced, and the last ferry from Positano may depart earlier—this also applies in 2026; avoid these days for summer hiking or confirm the day's schedule in advance.
How it affects you: if you hike this trail on or within two days of August 15, 2025, the ferry from Positano may stop as early as 3–4 PM or not run at all. You finish the hike at the end and find no boat back, forcing you to spend hundreds of euros on a taxi or scramble for a room in town, throwing off your entire itinerary. I recommend avoiding that weekend, or checking the ferry timetable for that day in advance—don't rely on the usual 7:00 PM last departure.
How to get to the start (Bomerano) in the morning
When departing earlier than the first SITA bus (e.g., to catch sunrise or avoid heat), there is no public transport available from Positano to Bomerano; only a pre-booked private transfer or taxi can be used. (Reddit traveler threads)
Taking the SITA bus from Positano to Amalfi, then transferring to Bomerano, is reliable even in bad sea conditions and is usually the fastest way to reach the full trail. (hostel-positano.com)
Private transfer from Positano to Bomerano is expensive; GetYourGuide shows a 1-hour private transfer (up to 3 people) from about €213. (getyourguide.com)
The SITA bus from Amalfi towards Agerola reaches the Bomerano starting point; the journey takes about 40 minutes and costs €2.4. (oumengke.com)
| Way in | Best for | Trade-off / risk | Cost & time | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SITA bus chain (Positano → Amalfi → Bomerano) CheapestThree tickets needed The proven chain: SITA from Positano to Amalfi, then the Agerola-bound bus to Bomerano — cheap and reliable; just have your tickets bought in advance. | Most hikers starting with the first buses | Transfer in Amalfi and three tickets in total; reliable even in rough seas — the standard way to the full trail | ~€2.40 per leg · ~40 min from Amalfi | |
| Private transfer / taxi (early-morning direct) Sunrise-capableDoor to door | Those starting before the first bus to beat heat or crowds | Before the first SITA bus there is no public transport — book ahead; costs many times the bus | GYG private ride from ~€213 (1h · up to 3) | Check options → |
| Stay the night before in Agerola/Bomerano Walk to the trailheadSolve luggage separately | Sunrise plans with a luggage solution | One-way trail: staying at the start means carrying luggage the whole way or booking a transfer to the far end | No dawn cross-town leg | Check options → |
Descent and return (SITA tickets/stairs/ferry)
The official end of the Path of the Gods hike is Nocelle, not Positano; from Nocelle you can continue hiking downhill to Positano, but this section adds to the total hiking time. (Reddit traveler threads)
In summer, the last Positano ferry usually stops in the evening (historically around 19:00-20:00, varying by date and route) — check the day's ferry company schedule; don't treat it as a late-night backup. (Facebook travel groups)
Departure options from Positano to Salerno/Naples include ferry, SITA bus, and shared taxi/taxi; during peak season, bus queues can be very long and the last bus departs relatively early. (Reddit traveler threads)
The Path of the Gods hike is about 8 km total; the standard direction is Bomerano to Nocelle; at Nocelle you can take a minibus or walk down long stairs (over 1,000 steps, estimates range from 1,500 to 2,000) to Positano. (edu.sina.com.cn)
| Way down & out | Best for | Trade-off / risk | Key constraint | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nocelle minibus down to Positano Saves the stairsQueues in season After three hours on the trail, the Nocelle minibus spares you a thousand-plus stair steps and keeps you on schedule for the last bus or ferry out. | Most hikers after the 3-hour trail | Limited departures and long peak-season queues; miss the last one and it's the stairs or an expensive ride | Low fare · limited departures | |
| On foot via the Nocelle stairs No waitingKnees beware | Strong knees and no deadline | The long stair descent adds time and fatigue — descending late risks the last bus and ferry | Free · 1,500-2,000 steps | |
| Ferry from Positano to Salerno/Naples Scenic exitEvening cutoff | Exits before evening, with a view | Summer last departures around 7-8 pm vary by date and line; off-season service shrinks and weather can cancel | Last boat ~7-8 pm · weather-dependent | |
| SITA bus from Positano to Salerno/Naples Cheapest exitEarly last bus | Budget exits timed to the schedule | Long peak-season queues and an early last bus; tickets are NOT sold onboard — buy them before you descend | Buy tickets beforehand · none sold onboard |
Our pick
Check transfer options — for Descent and return (SITA tickets/stairs/ferry)
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FAQ
How to get back from Positano to Salerno after the Path of the Gods hike?
Ferries are the main option, but around Ferragosto (August 15th) services may be drastically reduced, with the last ferry possibly departing as early as 3-4 PM (source: finetuscany.com). Check the ferry company's schedule on the day of travel and have SITA buses as a backup (queues can be very long in peak season, and the last bus departs early).
Do I need to book tickets in advance for the Path of the Gods hike?
As of June 2026, the Path of the Gods is a free-access trail with no official ticketing or reservation system (source: positano.com). Don't fall for scams charging for 'reserved slots,' but the lack of restrictions also means there are no crowd controls outside early morning hours in peak season.
Does the Path of the Gods hike end in Positano?
The official endpoint is Nocelle, not Positano. From Nocelle to Positano, you'll need to walk down a long staircase (about 1,500-2,000 steps) or take a minibus, adding 30-60 minutes to your journey (source: reddit.com). If you're catching the last ferry or bus, be sure to factor in this extra time.
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