john183

Good info here!!! We intend to take the walk from Bomerano to Nocelle in June and I have a couple of questions.

I still can't seem to get a feel for the difference between the high path and the low path. kestrelpov above says that the high path is less vertical than the low path. On a different web site I read that the high path has some places where the footing is not so great. I'm guessing there probably is not a whole lot of difference between the two but does anyone feel one is a clear winner over the other?

Also, in another post mama_mia mentioned that the Restaurant Santa Croce in Nocelle is a nice place for lunch after finishing the walk. Is it easy to find? I'm probably just missing it somehow but I can't seem to locate it on google maps. Thanks for your help.

kestrelpov

@john183: hi John, let me see...

In short word: same same but different! the main thing is the verticality of the panorama, less aggressive on the higher path.

Higher trail: when you'll get to Colle Serra crossroads (you can see an image on the pages I mentioned above) keep right, the first part is quite steep and "rocky", but mules are still used here to transport wood so if you look where your feet are I can't see problems. You'll go throught terraces and then a short downhill that could be slippery if is rainy. Obviously, taking pictures while walking it isn't a smart idea

Lower trail: when you'll get to Colle Serra crossroads (images in the link above) go to the left and immediately on the right and right again. After about 100mt, when you'll leave the last house, there are some stone steps, quite slippery during rainy days. After the exposed part you'll arrive to the rocky uphill, same problem: careful if wet.

I'm preparing some images about high/lower options, I'll upload asap but, for sure, not in the next 4hrs.

For restaurants: Santa Croce is along the concrete part of the path, you can't mistake it, there is a narrow curve and just in front of you there is the sign indicating the restaurant. Other places in Nocelle: there is a pizzeria just underneath the only grocery. La Terra along the road to Montepertuso. La Tagliata, Da Scirocco, Donna Rosa in Montepertuso.

KP

flygirl

From the high path you will see everything - you are on the ridge. You can see all the way down the coast once you get to the turnoff point (about halfway through).

I didn't find the trail slippery but it was a bright sunny day.

You want to do this walk very early. Leave Positano on the before-7 AM bus to Amalfi. You will arrive at the trailhead about 9 AM or so.

kestrelpov

As flygirl suggest, first morning is the best. Maybe you could check some days before the hike if there are boats (metròdelmare and volaviamare) from Positano to Amalfi, you could enjoy "two tours" in one day! Coast from the sea and from the mountains.

KP

john183

Thanks kestrelpov and flygirl. The high trail seems like the one to take. Since we are staying in Positano and not looking forward to a bus change in Amalfi, I think to save time and hassle we will try to find a driver to take us to Bomerano early in the morning. Thanks again.

kestrelpov

@john183: do not forget to call different drivers! even in Amalfi or Praiano (a town between Amalfi and Positano) because prices can vary a lot by the quality of the service! same for private boat o professional guides if you rent/hire one.

PK

flygirl

I would not be shocked if you were charged 100E for a driver to take you to Bomerano. Check around.

If you just don't have time to mess around with bus schedules, hire a local guide like Zia Lucy who will go with you. She will make sure you are all on the right bus and will hike with you. She's very pleasant and knowledgable - and not at all expensive.

Boats to Amalfi may or may not start early and I would be more worried about missing the bus in Amalfi if I did that. At least the SITA bus will drop you at the right place - no running to catch a bus.

kestrelpov

@flygirl: yes, unfortunately someone asks that kind of money
Maybe sharing with other people could split the cost but how to find other people interested, the same day? quite difficult.

KP

mama_mia

@john183: You could also hike the trail in reverse, if you did not want to change buses early in morning. I would not do the steps up from Positano, though. But you could take the bus to Nocelle, walk the path to Bomerano, and then take bus down to Amalfi. Of course, in Amalfi you would still need one more transfer, but at that time the ferry might be convenient.

I don't remember the trail being particularly strenuous going from Bomerano to Nocelle, so I can't comment on whether you would have a much steeper climb in reverse.

kestrelpov

The path, both sides, is an up and down trail but Bomerano lays at 630mt while Nocelle is at 430mt so... it's really up to you. If you feel in good shape you could get the low, arrive to Colle Serra then take the high options coming back! By the way, mama_mia tips about the ferry is interesing.

KP

flygirl

I liked the downhill slope and I also liked that the sun was at my back when hiking towards Nocelle. Plus, you have the gorgeous coast views ahead of you instead of behind you while walking.

On the other hand you can really get an early start on the hike - it's only maybe 30 minutes to Nocelle on the bus - you could be on the trail at 730 AM if you left at 7 AM.

flygirl

I liked the downhill slope and I also liked that the sun was at my back when hiking towards Nocelle. Plus, you have the gorgeous coast views ahead of you instead of behind you while walking.

On the other hand you can really get an early start on the hike - it's only maybe 30 minutes to Nocelle on the bus - you could be on the trail at 730 AM if you left at 7 AM.

john183

There will be 4 of us (two couples) to share the cost and if we have to spend a little money to save time and hassle while we are on vacation - we usually do it. We did not have a very good experience at the bus transfer area in Amalfi the last time we were there so I'm thinking we will splurge on a driver to Bomerano. I will definitely shop around for the best price though.

I think we have our hearts set on walking from Bomerano towards Nocelle and having lunch at the Restaurant Santa Croce to celebrate our accomplishment (at least it will be an accomplishment for us). Thanks again for all the good ideas.

Mamrota

We are planning to do a walk from Bomerano to Nocelle in 3 weeks but will be travelling to Nocelle from Salerno where we will be staying. After checking SITA bus schedule it seems that we will be in Bomerano around 11.00 a.m. and probably start walking at 11.30.
How long it takes to walk from Bomerano to Nocelle (while taking pictures); we would like to have lunch at Santa Croce.
We are in early 50-ties and quite fit.
Thanks!

WWK

Mamrota,

Just a word of warning: The SITA buses are notoriously crowded and boiling hot, especially in the summer months. Sometimes it's impossible to get on.

I would highly recommend taking the boat from Salerno to Amalfi, and making your way to Bomerano from Amalfi instead.

flygirl

I would be on the very very first possible bus in the morning, especially in late July. Very first. Be in Positano at 630 AM. You still might have to wait - in May, that bus was almost full.

flygirl

Your other option, since you will already be staying in Nocelle, is to just get on the trail there and walk to Bomerano.

Honestly, I would probably do that. Esp if you can get on the trail at say 7 AM or even 6 AM. The earlier the better to avoid the heat. That would be the least amount of hassle, I think. Once in Bomerano you can take your leisurely time to get the bus to Amalfi, etc.

Keep in mind though that Nocelle to Bomerano will be a slight uphill the whole way so if you are not fit, you have hard choices to make. Early would at least avoid the heat, though.

Mamrota

But we are staying all the time in Salerno and will have to take bus from there regardless the direction of the hike.
If we would choose an option to start at Nocelle - we still need to travel there from Salerno that morning.
I wonder maybe we can ask out hosts at Salerno B&B to drive us to Bomerano and be there around 10.00 a.m.
I really can not see the possibility to get to either Bomerano or Nocelle really early.
What seems to be the biggest issue? Crowded buses or the heat during hike?
Thanks a lot for your help!

WWK

I have never taken the boat from Salerno to Amalfi, but if there is one that runs early enough, I would highly suggest you take it. Then make your way to Bomerano from there. I think it's only a few miles out of Amalfi, so maybe cab it? Can't stress enough how awful- and FULL- the buses are in the summer months.

WWK

Just read your post more carefully. I think the boat from Salerno does run all the way to Positano. If that's the case, I would start the hike in Nocelle, end at Bomerano, then bus or cab down to Amalfi, and boat back to Salerno.