The Path of Gods
The Path of God is one of the most spectacular patch in Campania, it links Agerola, a small village on the Amalfi coast, to
Nocelle, a small fraction of Positano.
The path offers a spectacular view of all Salerno Gulf to those who follow it, offering an unforgettable show for all the tourists who travel through it while remaining enchanted by the beauties of the Amalfi coast.
We, from Di nocera service, suggest to follow it in the direction that goes from Agerola to Nocelle in order to walk slightly downhill and have in front the panorama of the Amalfi Coast and Capri.
Description of the path of god:
Along the whole path you can admire the classic Mediterranean vegetation.
We cross the rows that produce a particular type of grape called “Pede ‘e Palomma” (dove’s foot) typical of the area, with the particular shape of the shoot and the rosy color that characterizes the vine, very rare to find.
Pinnacles, spiers of limestone rock and deep gorges are lost in a vertiginous green, immediately appear at the attention of the hiker. On both sides, plots of land arranged in terraces (vines, citrus fruits, figs and apple trees) are distributed on several levels with limestone walls containing dry limestone mixed with mortar and lime.
Along this path, which since ancient times fulfilled an important linking role, commercial traffic took place between the villages of the coast (Positano, Hellenic colony) and the inland settlements (the Agerola plateau).
The Path of God was the only terrestrial route on the southern side of the Lattari mountains, between the rugged coast and the gentle slopes of the interior, that allowed the transit of merchandise such as: bran, coal, milk, spices, timber, fabrics, precious stones, ceramics, wines and oils .
Several examples of that typical coastal architecture, with sure references to the Mediterranean Arab world, are the ruins of ancient houses distributed along the entire route.
You continue to walk in an environment suspended between spiers, deep gorges, cliffs and precipices, oaks, caves, ferns, brambles, brooms and numerous species of aromatic herbs such as thyme, sage, rosemary and rocket.
The Cookie Cave, rocky villagesand the “Pistillo”
The Path of God starts from Bomerano (632 m) and soon reaches the beginning of one of the most interesting and spectacular hiking itineraries in Italy, for its beautiful landscapes and for the panoramic views that can be admired from dawn to sunset.
A curve bends to the right in a precipitous descent towards the cavity known as “Grotta Biscotto (Cookie)” (528 m), where this path begins with cliffs and precipices, deeper than 200 meters, which are lost in the void. Just below the cave are scattered ancient rock settlements carved directly into the rock, suspended vertically; architectural evidence, these, dating back to the era of Saracen raids. We continue walking through breathtaking panoramas soaked by the perfumes of the bush. Exceeded the one that until 800 was certainly one of the best preserved houses existing along the path, a staircase carved with stone blocks leads under a rocky outcrop at the base of which rises an irrevocable limestone spire as well as the “pistillo (pistil)”.
Meditarranean Panorama: from Capri to Monti Lattari
A few tens of meters later you reach the Colle la Serra (578 m) with the presence of a crossroads and a fountain. Here the landscape changes dramatically and opens to wide panoramic views with the island of Capri, the final part of the peninsula of the Lattari mountains and the islets of the Gauls.
From the hill begins a path that leads down to the village of Praiano. From the junction, however, continuing to rise to the right in the NE direction, you cross an area called the Cannati (537 m) for an apple orchard supported by pergolas and the trail penetrates into a scrub vegetation.
Above an overhanging rock face, using caution when facing, you can scrutinize unprecedented panoramic views of a coastal landscape that continually manages to amaze, to marvel and to excite: the white and red of the houses of Vettica ; the seabed not visible from the coastal road; the darkness of deep rock engravings and the dark green of the valleys. Earned one last leap opens a terrace where you can enjoy one of the most beautiful, enchanting and well-known in the world: a colorful cascade of houses clinging to the ridges of the mountain that degrade dramatically down to the white sea: Positano
The “Vallore delle grotte” and the arrival to Nocelle
Continuing, on the left at the bottom, the abyss of the Vallone Grotte opens up, and nature offers a spectacle of incomparable naturalistic and landscape beauties; a narrow amphitheater that falls into a funnel dominated by dozens of caves, large and small, immersed in the blue of the sea and the green of the woods.
After the last bends characterized by rocky ups and downs through prickly pear plants, the path penetrates the first houses of Nocelle (420 m) where the route ends, but not our encounter with a historical experience that has been preserved here for centuries.
Narrow streets surrounded by greenery and the silence of ramps, courtyards and pergolas are the ideal frame of hospitality and cordiality lavished by those few lucky residents. Set as a terrace above the village of Positano this village is completely isolated between cliffs and valleys and not reachable, in any way, by motor vehicles.
Between history and legend
Several historical evidence suggests that these places were probably known by some of the most famous and famous travelers on the Grand Tour, including Goethe, Lenormant, Mendelsson, Wagner and others who, by visiting them, have praised their extraordinary scenic beauty. .
Other stories and legends narrate how the path was used by brigands, criminals and smugglers who found refuge, hiding and security for the inaccessibility of the place.
It tells of people called the Fairies (taumaturgi from supernatural faculties) among which there was’ U Magio (the magician) who kept, on a huge book, writings of happy events and ominous premonitions. It is also told of a sow who, with her six little ones, during the nights of the full moon turned into being satanic instilling fear to the unfortunate bystanders.
This is a passage between the coast and the hinterland, which since ancient times has witnessed, throughout its journey, that local culture that characterizes these places: rural, rural and rural, just overlooking the sea.
Here people, especially the elderly, live and work in harmony with the natural landscape: who collects fruit from the terraced fields; those carrying new seeds to plant on their shoulders; who, on the back of a mule or horse, collects and carries bundles of wood; who still carries aluminum cans containing fresh goat’s milk, covering the entire path twice a day.
All this makes it seem almost as if time had never passed.
How to start the Path of God
The Path of the Gods starts from Bomerano, a fraction of Agerola.
To reach Agerola you can take the Sita buses that leave from Amalfi, alternatively you can use our private service, which allows you to explore the path of the gods in complete tranquility and with all the comforts offered by a luxury car and professional drivers.
The trail ends in Nocelle, in the upper part of Positano.
You can reach the center through a long staircase (1500 steps) and about 500 meters on foot. Alternatively there is the bus service, while if you take advantage of our private service you will find our driver waiting for you at the end of the path, ready to take you to Positano, or wherever you want to go.
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Born in 1994, passionate about photography, sport, music and cinema.
Giovanni is the web-master and marketing manager for SorrentoMagazine and Di Nocera Service.
He also writes articles about trekking and adventure on this blog!
