An absolute must when in the Amalfi Coast. The hardest part was getting to the start - which…read morehonestly wasn't terrible. We started in Bomerano and hiked to Nocelle, then from Nocelle, walked back to Positano where we're staying. To get from Positano to Bomerano, we took a 30 min ferry to Amalfi, and then a 45 min bus up to Bomerano. Walked about 10-15 minutes to the start of the trail. Hike is about 3.5 miles. Because Bomerano is already at pretty high elevation, the hike is mostly downhill and really not too strenuous. There is a point where you reach a sign and the trail splits right/left. When you reach this point, the left side follows the designated Path of the Gods while the right side is the "alternate" Path of Gods - at a higher elevation. We took the right path and it was really beautiful. The paths eventually meet about 1-1.5 miles later, but honestly either direction you take, I don't think you can go wrong. There are like 1700 stairs down from Nocelle to Positano (which was kind of tough after hiking 3.5 miles), but we made it back safely and loved the whole journey! Highly highly recommend!

We booked our Path of the Gods excursion via Get Your Guide, and the trip was run by See Over…read morePompeii. The organizers were prompt with their communication and kept us to date via WhatsApp. We were staying in Sorrento and were picked up at the Piazza Tasso, near to where we were staying. There were multiple groups meeting at the location, but the organizers quickly called everyone together, separated, then Shepard'd us onto the correct bus. The trip to the town next to the Path of the Goods trail took us about 90mins, at which point we were given 20mins to stretch our feet, grab coffee before the start of the trek. We were split into groups, with my lot falling under the instructor, Johnny (Giovanni Gargiulo) who was amazing throughout our hike. Their version of the hike formed a loop which took trekkers through all the major points, while letting them experience the full hike if you wanted to go the extra lengths (down the final 1000 or so stairs to Positano). We were given hiking poles to help with general stability, at which point we briefly met the Shepard who we'd eat with later. We saw his goats get released and met a few of them along the trail. There are amazing views throughout the walk, from old abandoned houses and farming landscapes to the stunning Amalfi coastlines below. On our way back to the town, we stopped by the Shepards hut and ate lunch with him and his dogs. The food was all freshly prepared and locally sourced, including the great goat's cheese! He performed a song for us, we drank, saluted each other and continued the hike back to the town. The final steps and slopes to return to the town were the hardest. On return to the town, we were all given 20-30mins to relax, regenerate and ready up for our trip back to Sorrento. All in all, it was well worth the money and was a great chance to look back into the lives of the farmers of these coastlines. Highly recommended.

Great to grace the background of the must-have photo from the archaeological site in downtown…read morePompei. For me though, unless it was a critical high point, ascending around an active caldera (see: potentially dangerous, partially collapsed, smoldering ash heap), given its history, I'm like, "nah, I'm good." Across the ocean, Yellowstone is still active, massive and to be enjoyed. It is also less intimidating. As an alpinist and classically experienced summiteer, my aversion to hiking Vesuvio is easily explained. After the sad sight of the stone people down below -- the actual active volcano will never be a mandatory visit for me.

The trek to Vesuvius from Naples involves subway, train, and bus. On the train I learned that the…read morecouple beside me were headed to Pompeii, where I'd already been, and I was headed to Vesuvius, where they'd already been. It was time to trade tips and here's the best tip they gave me: "When you exit the train station in Ercolano, walk to your left. That's where the bus tickets are sold. Immediately after you purchase your bus ticket, walk to the center island opposite the train station exit. Get in line there. That's where the bus boards. Oh, and the bus tickets are cash only, so be prepared". Had I not talked to these folks I'd not have known exactly where to go when I got out of the train station. As it turns out, my quick b-line to the left meant that I purchased the last two tickets available on the next bus up and the following bus wasn't leaving until more than one hour later. So follow these directions. You're welcome. The lore around Mt. Vesuvius figures big in these parts so if you're in the area and able, it's worth a visit regardless of how you feel about hiking somewhere only to peer down into a (not very interesting) crater. The route up, even with the bus taking you up most of the way, isn't difficult but it's more difficult than I assumed it would be. and takes about 40 minutes each way. A hiking stick will be helpful, especially on the way down. Do check your bus number and know the time of its departure before you get off for the hike. You'll have a sticker denoting that you've paid for your bus ride down, but it's specific to the bus you rode up in and it'd be a huge bummer for it to leave without you. On the hike up I encountered a massive insect swarm and thought "well this is disgusting" but it had disseminated by the time I headed back down. You'll hike through some souvenir/drink/snack spots and there's another at the very top. Other than that, there's nothing to do here except peer into the crater that caused the demise of Pompeii then head back down again. I'd say this is a must see only because of the significance of Vesuvius in Southern Italy's history. One and done for me but now you know how best to navigate the journey as well.

Tricky to get here! We took a bus and used google translate to explain to someone on the bus where…read morewe were trying to go. It was a decent walk down a path to get to the inlet and you have to walk down a pretty steep set of stairs to get down to the water but boy is it worth it! I'd recommend water shoes as the rocks are slick. You can swim around or lounge on rocks. There were probably about a dozen people while we were there in April. There's lots of nearby walking paths full of wildflowers and some ruins. I could have packed a lunch and spent all day here and in the surrounding hiking spots. Beautiful views of Mt Vesuvius across the water.

GORGEOUS & BEAUTIFUL - Totally worth the short hike to the bay…read more We stayed in Praiano so we took a bus to Sorrento and then another bus to Nerano. Was prob. about a two hour trip each way. Once you get off the bus stop in Nerano (stop should be in front of Olga's Residence), look for the signs that point to Baia di Ieranto. Its a slight uphill hike of about 45 minutes or so. There's a sign about mid way through your hike that says for the bay turn right..for something else (sorry i forget), turn left. Turn left. This will take you to the bay and it is less steep. We went in October 2016 and apparently there was a fire which closed the route there. When we asked around locals didn't seem to think it was a big deal. There was some fire damage but if you're careful, the hike is very do-able. It was a bit raining when we went so the bay was basically empty. Loved it!!!!!

It'd be accurate to say that the only thing I actually had on my Amalfi Coast to-do list was to…read morehike the Sentiero degli Dei (aka Path of the Gods). While back at home, I booked a guide to walk with on the route from Bomerano to Nocelle but further research told me this was something I could probably do without a paid guide. As the date of my trip grew nearer I canceled the guide without regret. It would be nearly impossible to get lost on this well-marked trail and seeing large tour groups hiking en masse was an experience I was glad to forgo. While many people hike the Path of the Gods from Bomerano to Nocelle, Bomerano was a 1 hour bus ride (or 25 euro per person private shuttle ride) away from my Positano lodging. Instead, I did as my hotel concierge recommended: I took the bus to Nocelle, hiked in and out on the same path, and completed a big loop trail in the center (about 5 total miles). This is a great alternative for those who don't want to head all the way to Bomerano or who are nervous about starting and ending in different locations, neither of which is the location of your lodging. It's at least equal in length and the stretch you miss, from Bomerano to the split, is only about a 30 minute hike. Living in the California Bay Area I'm accustomed to beautiful mountain trails with water views but none so high up as those seen from here and none, of course, of the Amalfi Coast. Get ready to be amazed. But first, be prepared. The best views are obtained in that center loop trail, about mid-way from either of the trail's entry points in Bomerano or Nocelle. Getting there is a reasonably challenging exercise as the trail is rocky with a fair amount of elevation changes. Come early, before the heat, hydrate, apply sunscreen, use a hiking stick if you have one, and be in shape. The terrain is uneven and you might need to scramble with both hands and feet to get up and down in some points. The mid-way point brings you to a private home whose owner sells lemon granita and offers up his bathroom and some outdoor bench seating from which to (again) savor the views. It's the only bathroom on the trail. If you worry at all about losing track of the trail note that there are red marks applied at regular intervals to large rocks on the trail. If the correct trail is ever in question look for the next red mark and that will effectively keep you on track. Apparently, you can finish in Nocelle then walk some 1700 stairs down to Positano but after 4 hours I'd had enough for the day. I caught the bus back down to Positano from the same location at which I'd disembarked earlier in the day. My Amalfi Coast goal was accomplished.

Great hike that gave us additional views of Amalfi we wouldn't have gotten otherwise…read more Pros: - see the terraced vineyards and gardens - we hiked from Bomerano to Positano, which I recommend. You'll go through a hard part with a lot of steps, and then they'll be an easier section. Made it easier for us to complete hike. - took us about 1.5 hours with small breaks - spots in Bomerano to grab a sandwich or drink before starting the hike. - picnic tables along the way to take a break and one lemonade stand! - easily marked, so we knew how to follow the trail Recommendations: - I recommend stopping by the vending machines to pick up waters - they were cheaper than in the little place we stopped, which charged us 5 euros for everything we got. - wear hiking shoes and bring water! Cons: - store in Bomerano charged 5 euro for everything without really ringing it up. I think they were just gouging tourists, and not actually pricing things accurately. - 1700 steps down to Positano and then a short walk along the road to get into Central Positano. You can avoid the steps if you take the bus, but we powered through...and had very sore knees the next day.