Path of the Gods
The Path of the Gods, in the top ten of the most beautiful trails in the world, is the most popular route in the area. Following easy passages delimited by spectacular cliffs and crossing various gorges, the path offers unparalleled views of Positano, the Sorrento Peninsula, the islets of li Galli and Capri. The vegetation aspects, the terraced cultivations and the ancient rural buildings scattered along the route are also very interesting.
• Length: About 9 Km
• Travel time: 4 h 30 m
• Start point: Piazza Paolo Capasso, Bomerano
Information on values and points of interest
The beautiful rocky wall of Grotta Biscotto is made of ancient cemented debris (final Pliocene) that fell both from M. Tre Calli and from a mountain to the south which then disappeared, sunk by tectonics in the nascent Gulf of Salerno. A little further on the path begins to run on Jurassic limestone and marine dolomites; rocks that will continue to be seen all along the route.
At Grotta del Biscotto, under the path, you can admire some cave houses that perhaps were born as hermitages cells for the anchorites who, in the early Middle Ages, gravitated to the church of S. Barbara. A hundred meters further on there is the ruin of an ancient farmhouse boldly placed on the edge of a rocky spur. Other examples of typical rural architecture will be encountered later, in Colle la Serra, in Cannati and in Nocella. The centuries-old mark of man is manifested in the landscape also with the well-studied agricultural terraces, supported by macerine (dry stone walls). Where they have not been abandoned, they host pergola vineyards that give an excellent "extreme wine" or, at lower altitudes, the lemon groves that give the famous Sfusato d'Amalfi and, from it, the best local Limoncello.
In terms of vegetation, this route gives the opportunity to observe the passage from the mixed forests of the submontane horizon (head of Vallone Praia, especially on the NE-facing slopes) to the typically Mediterranean one (holm oak, scrub and garrigue) which occupies the lower areas. and / or more sunny. Of the spectacular and varied spring blooms we limit ourselves to remembering those of the endemic Santolina and Mirto, Cisto (both white and pink), Broom and Rosemary.
But the dominant values of the route lie in the amazing articulation of the orography (a continuous succession of cliffs, spiers, ledges and gorges) and in the views, truly breathtaking and changing at every turn of the ridge, which now show us the entire cliff from Positano at Punta Campanella (with Capri behind), now of the unusual views from the top of the villages, bays and promontories of this stretch of the famous Amalfi Coast.
Route information
From piazza Paolo Capasso (Bomerano) take a downhill road (via Pennino) and, after about 300 m, in correspondence with some steps, turn right passing a wooden bridge. You then go up a flight of steps and reach a rolling stock, which must be followed - on the left - until it becomes a mule track with a concrete bottom. After a downhill turn, you are in Grotta del Biscotto. Continue on the dirt path and, with modest ups and downs, you reach the pass of Colle la Serra (580m). At the height of a ruin, there are two variants of the route, equally panoramic, which rejoin later in the locality of Cannati (560m): turning right, you take the high variant, with an initial bumpy stretch, but which leads along the walked the vision of ancient limestone (factories where lime was produced). If, on the other hand, you turn left, you take the lower variant, initially downhill and with some exposed sections; on this stretch you cross - on the left - the detour that goes down to the suggestive Convent of S. Domenico and then to Vettica Maggiore (recommended for those who want to take a shorter tour). From Cannati, the path winds its way and, with modest ups and downs, crosses the Gradelle valley and reaches - after about 2 km - the hamlet of Nocella (420m). When you reach the small chapel depicting the crucifixion and the fountain, turn right, continuing along a path that joins the road that - in 1 km - leads to the Montepertuso farmhouse. Arrived here, about 100 m after the square, you can take the staircase on the left that leads to the center of Positano. Alternatively, from the square of Nocella you can take the staircase which - with its 1700 steps - leads to Arienzo, on the former Statale 163. Following it to the right (pay attention to vehicular traffic!), After about 500 m you will reach the center of Positano. To return to Agerola you can use the SITA buses, with change in Amalfi; alternatively, in the summer months, you can reach Amalfi by sea, using the Metrò del Mare or ferries.