Path of the Gods to Nocelle

Path of the Gods:

Embarking on the organized trek begins in Agerola, a village nestled amid the lush foliage of the Lattari Mountains, beneath the shadow of Lauritano Castle. The trailhead for the Sentiero degli Dei, or the Path of the Gods, unfolds here.

Spanning nearly 8 kilometers, this scenic hiking route leads to Nocelle, a charming hamlet of Positano. Along the way, novice hikers are treated to breathtaking vistas of the Gulf of Salerno, the Faraglioni Capri, Punta Campanella, and the entire Sorrento Peninsula.

Renowned author Italo Calvino lauded this trail as “a world suspended over the magical Gulf of the Sirens,” a sentiment immortalized on a vibrant ceramic plaque situated at the entrance of the trail. While historical accounts attribute the path’s creation to the Bourbons, who sought to establish a communication route among coastal villages, the legend surrounding its origin diverges significantly.

According to lore, during the time when Ulysses secured himself to the mast of his ship, blocking his ears with wax to withstand the enchanting song of the Sirens near the island Li Galli, the gods descended to Earth to avert a potential shipwreck. However, the gods missed their mark and landed far from the island. Hastening to Odysseus’ aid, they traversed the terrain, leaving a trail in their wake—thus, the Path of the Gods came into existence.

The initial stretch of the trail, leading up to Santa Maria del Castello, proves to be the most demanding, characterized by a continuous uphill ascent. Conversely, the “lower” path towards Nocelle offers a relatively easy trek.

Amidst this journey, one finds themselves enveloped in serene silence and surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation, including rosemary, holm oaks, strawberry trees, and heather. The trail is adorned with vines, prickly pears, and citrus groves, enhancing the air with a delightful saltiness.

Venturing along what is widely regarded as one of the most captivating trails on Earth, notable landmarks emerge, such as a 15th-century Convent dedicated to St. Dominic, the Grotta del Biscotto with sediments dating back to the Pliocene, and small rocky clusters further along. The sight of houses clinging to the rocks conjures an image of a community of anchorites who have chosen this path for a life of isolation from the outside world.

A must-see is the Pistillo, a limestone spire considered a symbolic icon of the trail, begging to be immortalized in photographs.

The journey culminates in Nocelle, a picturesque hamlet of Positano situated on the slopes of Mount Pertuso. A staircase boasting 1550 steps separates it from Positano below, reachable only after indulging in a refreshing lemonade or invigorating lemon granita at the quaint kiosk located at the end of the Sentiero degli Dei.