info needed on walk on Amalfi coast called Pathway of the Gods or Sentiero Degli Dei
Apr 19th, 2003, 04:55 PM
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info needed on walk on Amalfi coast called Pathway of the Gods or Sentiero Degli Dei
Has anybody done this walk? I'd like to know where it starts and ends, and if you can catch a bus to both ends from Positano. I think it may start from Bomerano or Agerola.
Apr 20th, 2003, 07:22 PM
#2
Haven't done this walk, but there's a book you should look for: "Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, Sunflower Landscapes" by Julian Tippett (2000, Sunflower Books, 12 Kendrick Mews, London, SW7 3HG, UK -- www.sunflowerbooks.co.uk). It's a wonderful small book on the footpaths of the Sorrentine Peninsula.
The walk you mention is in the book.
"Easy walking across a steep rugged hillside connects Bomerano with the Sentiero degli Dei which leads to Nocelle (via another path) or down to Vettica/Praiano (via another path). En route you pass under the cave of Grotta Biscotta, which is reputed to contain medieval animal pens."
"The Agerola bus from Amalfi to Bomerano takes a most sensational route. The road gains height consistently in a series of bends and tunnels that follow the contours of the terrain, threading through communities clinging to the mountainside. After passing into and out of the deep valley of Furore, the road starts on a series of serpentine bends through the village of Furore, noted for its artists' colony and for fine wine, to arrive finally at the 600 m. high plain of Agerola. Spare a thought for the cyclists of the Tour d'Italia who must sometimes make this climb -- at the summit there is a monument to the legendary Italian cyclist Fausto Coppi."
"You could alight at the second stop after the bus has finished the climb and driven into the plain; there is a good 'alimentari' at this stop. On leaving the shop, follow the road to the left for 600 m. to Bomerano's main square. The third bus stop (half a kilometre after the bus has taken the next two bends, by a no entry sign) is nearer the square. Take the narrow road left by the no entry sign. There is no public water tap in Bomerano."
The book goes on to describe the route in detail if you start at Bomerano or start at Colle la Serra, although there is no public transportation to Colle la Serra. The grade is easy from Bomerano and easy with a height gain of 60 meters from Colle la Serra. Estimate one hour's walk in either direction. The SITA bus to Amalfi stops in Bomerano.
Unless you wanted to walk round-trip, you should start in Bomerano, and at Colle la Serra take the path to Praiano. This second path's grade is described as easy with a descent of 400 meters. The time estimate for this path is 90 minutes. The SITA bus stops in Praiano.
If you can't find the book, you'll need detailed information from a local tourist information office. The paths are a series of stone steps, mule tracks, turn left at the crucifix, etc., etc. You can't just take off without directions.
The walk you mention is in the book.
"Easy walking across a steep rugged hillside connects Bomerano with the Sentiero degli Dei which leads to Nocelle (via another path) or down to Vettica/Praiano (via another path). En route you pass under the cave of Grotta Biscotta, which is reputed to contain medieval animal pens."
"The Agerola bus from Amalfi to Bomerano takes a most sensational route. The road gains height consistently in a series of bends and tunnels that follow the contours of the terrain, threading through communities clinging to the mountainside. After passing into and out of the deep valley of Furore, the road starts on a series of serpentine bends through the village of Furore, noted for its artists' colony and for fine wine, to arrive finally at the 600 m. high plain of Agerola. Spare a thought for the cyclists of the Tour d'Italia who must sometimes make this climb -- at the summit there is a monument to the legendary Italian cyclist Fausto Coppi."
"You could alight at the second stop after the bus has finished the climb and driven into the plain; there is a good 'alimentari' at this stop. On leaving the shop, follow the road to the left for 600 m. to Bomerano's main square. The third bus stop (half a kilometre after the bus has taken the next two bends, by a no entry sign) is nearer the square. Take the narrow road left by the no entry sign. There is no public water tap in Bomerano."
The book goes on to describe the route in detail if you start at Bomerano or start at Colle la Serra, although there is no public transportation to Colle la Serra. The grade is easy from Bomerano and easy with a height gain of 60 meters from Colle la Serra. Estimate one hour's walk in either direction. The SITA bus to Amalfi stops in Bomerano.
Unless you wanted to walk round-trip, you should start in Bomerano, and at Colle la Serra take the path to Praiano. This second path's grade is described as easy with a descent of 400 meters. The time estimate for this path is 90 minutes. The SITA bus stops in Praiano.
If you can't find the book, you'll need detailed information from a local tourist information office. The paths are a series of stone steps, mule tracks, turn left at the crucifix, etc., etc. You can't just take off without directions.
Apr 20th, 2003, 07:34 PM
#3
Oops. Just thumbed through the book a little further. It seems that the path from Colle la Serra to Nocelle is also part of the walk called "Path of the Gods." The general description in the book:
"The wild mountainside east of Nocelle can be traversed along a well-waymarked but rough path that offers magnificent views of the mountains and coast, and lives up to its billing as the 'Path of the Gods. (Sentiero degli Dei). Typically this segment will form part of a route from Bomerano to Positano (for walkers coming from Amalfi), or from Monte Pertuso to Vettica Maggiore (for those starting in Positano). This route should be undertaken only by confident walkers as, once committed there are no escape routes, and you must rely on waymarks to show the route. The red dot waymarks are frequent so, if you have no seen one for about 50 meters, retrace steps! Be especially alert when the path winds between bushes. Long trousers and boots are most people's preferred kit for this walk. Take enough water, too, as bottles may be replenished only at each end of the segment."
The grade from Colle la Serra is described as easy. Time 2 hours. The path from Nocelle to Positano is described as easy with a descent of 340 meters. Time 90 minutes.
So, I count 4 1/2 hours from Bomerano to Positano, not counting the bus ride from Amalfi to Bomerano. It also sounds like it would be much more strenuous to start in Positano and end at Bomerano.
"The wild mountainside east of Nocelle can be traversed along a well-waymarked but rough path that offers magnificent views of the mountains and coast, and lives up to its billing as the 'Path of the Gods. (Sentiero degli Dei). Typically this segment will form part of a route from Bomerano to Positano (for walkers coming from Amalfi), or from Monte Pertuso to Vettica Maggiore (for those starting in Positano). This route should be undertaken only by confident walkers as, once committed there are no escape routes, and you must rely on waymarks to show the route. The red dot waymarks are frequent so, if you have no seen one for about 50 meters, retrace steps! Be especially alert when the path winds between bushes. Long trousers and boots are most people's preferred kit for this walk. Take enough water, too, as bottles may be replenished only at each end of the segment."
The grade from Colle la Serra is described as easy. Time 2 hours. The path from Nocelle to Positano is described as easy with a descent of 340 meters. Time 90 minutes.
So, I count 4 1/2 hours from Bomerano to Positano, not counting the bus ride from Amalfi to Bomerano. It also sounds like it would be much more strenuous to start in Positano and end at Bomerano.
Apr 22nd, 2003, 08:52 AM
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I second the motion that you buy the Tippett book. It's available over the web at www.amazon.co.uk. It will help you decide in which direction to do your hikes, etc. This can make the difference between going up 1,700 steps and going down 1,700 steps. Personally, I prefer down.
Apr 23rd, 2003, 01:45 PM
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Hi there-
I did this walk on my honeymoon in September, and I bought the book that the previous poster mentioned. It was very helpful to have, and it's a nice slim book so it fits in your pocket or bag easily.
This is what we did-
Catch the bus in the middle of Positano, I forget which stop but it's near a tobacco/postcard type store. Might be something like Mulino Square?
Take it to a little village in the mountains called Montepertuso. It's about 15 minutes away on the bus. The bus driver can help you.
Once there, we followed the directions in the guidebook. We stopped in Nocelle-tiny and charming like a fairy tale village.
After walking a bit more we took the medieval stone steps back down to Positano. Absolutely breathtaking but careful with your knees. There are a LOT of steps. But worth it.
I am not a hard core hiker but my husband is. We both enjoyed it very much and I would definitely do it again. Be sure to bring some water!
Follow up your walk with a nap back at the hotel and a big seafood dinner that evening. I wish I was there right now!
Michelle
I did this walk on my honeymoon in September, and I bought the book that the previous poster mentioned. It was very helpful to have, and it's a nice slim book so it fits in your pocket or bag easily.
This is what we did-
Catch the bus in the middle of Positano, I forget which stop but it's near a tobacco/postcard type store. Might be something like Mulino Square?
Take it to a little village in the mountains called Montepertuso. It's about 15 minutes away on the bus. The bus driver can help you.
Once there, we followed the directions in the guidebook. We stopped in Nocelle-tiny and charming like a fairy tale village.
After walking a bit more we took the medieval stone steps back down to Positano. Absolutely breathtaking but careful with your knees. There are a LOT of steps. But worth it.
I am not a hard core hiker but my husband is. We both enjoyed it very much and I would definitely do it again. Be sure to bring some water!
Follow up your walk with a nap back at the hotel and a big seafood dinner that evening. I wish I was there right now!
Michelle
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