The Path of the Gods sits high above the Amalfi Coast, accessed from mountain villages that feel worlds away from the waterfront towns most visitors picture. Where you stay determines how early you leave, how many connections you make, and whether you arrive ready to walk or already spent from the journey.
Quick answer
Sorrento works well as a base for hiking the Path of the Gods because it offers reliable SITA bus connections to Bomerano and Positano, a wider range of accommodation at lower prices than coastal villages, and morning departures that let you reach the 08:00–10:00 arrival window without an overnight stay in Agerola. The trailhead lies 17 kilometers away by road, reachable in under an hour by direct bus during peak season.
The Path of the Gods trailhead at Bomerano sits 650 meters above sea level in the commune of Agerola, a cluster of farming hamlets that few visitors reach except to hike. Most walkers approach from below—from Positano, Amalfi, or the peninsula towns—and the question of where to stay hinges not on proximity but on the quality of the morning connection. Is Sorrento a good base for the Amalfi Coast when your goal is the Sentiero degli Dei? It depends on what you value. Sorrento lies outside the Amalfi Coast proper, perched on the western end of the Sorrentine Peninsula with the Bay of Naples at its back. That geographic remove brings two advantages: accommodation costs run 30 to 40 percent lower than in Positano or Ravello, and the bus network radiates outward with frequency and punctuality that the coast road cannot match. The SITA bus from Sorrento to Bomerano via Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi runs year-round, departing before 08:00 in summer and reaching the trailhead by 09:00. From there the hike descends westward, finishing in Positano or Nocelle, where return buses loop back to Sorrento by mid-afternoon. Staying in Positano places you at the trail's endpoint, which sounds convenient until you consider that the classic west-to-east route—Bomerano to Positano—descends rather than climbs, sparing your knees and letting you walk toward the coast rather than away from it. Positano's morning buses to Bomerano are slower and less frequent, and the town's vertical layout means most hotels sit hundreds of steps below the main road. Praiano and Amalfi require an additional transfer. Agerola itself offers sparse lodging, no evening infrastructure, and early-morning silence that appeals to some but isolates most. Sorrento's density supports that base-camp role: supermarkets open early, cafés serve breakfast before the first bus, and the Circumvesuviana rail link to Naples lets you break up a longer itinerary without repositioning luggage. The trade is distance. You spend an hour each way on winding roads, and if the weather turns or the schedule shifts, your fallback options narrow. But for a single-day walk on a trail with no entrance fee and no reservations, choosing a base for the Amalfi Coast hiking means choosing the most reliable route to the start, and Sorrento delivers that with clarity the coastal villages cannot match.
“Sorrento's distance from the trail is also its advantage—reliable connections, lower costs, and the infrastructure to support an early start.”
Choosing a base for your Path of the Gods hike involves balancing the transit accessibility of Sorrento against the immediate coastal proximity of towns like Positano or Amalfi.
| Sorrento Centralized Connectivity Recommended | Amalfi Coast Towns Direct Coastal Access | |
|---|---|---|
| Transport Connectivity | High accessibility via train and ferry | Limited to bus and ferry routes |
| Path of the Gods Access | Requires transit to Agerola trailhead | Short bus or taxi to Agerola trailhead |
| Atmosphere | Urban residential and transit hub | Resort-focused and coastal |
| Price Points | Moderate accommodation range | High premium seasonal range |
| Ease of Day Trips | Central hub for Naples and Pompeii | Focused on coastal transit only |
Verdict: Select Sorrento for broader regional exploration and transit variety, or choose an Amalfi Coast town for immediate proximity to the coastal trails and seaside scenery.
The Path of the Gods trail head is located in Bomerano, a hamlet of Agerola. The most direct approach from Sorrento involves a combination of SITA bus services.
SITA bus from Sorrento to Amalfi Terminal
SITA bus from Amalfi Terminal to Bomerano (Agerola)
Plan to arrive at the Bomerano trailhead between 08:00 and 10:00. Starting within this window helps avoid high temperatures and peak midday sun exposure.
The best arrival window for the Path of the Gods is 08:00–10:00 to avoid high temperatures and midday sun exposure. Visiting Sorrento during shoulder seasons provides more temperate conditions for completing this coastal trail.
Mild, 15–22°C; pleasant for hiking. Spring offers clear visibility and manageable trail density.
Hot, 25–30°C; heat requires early starts. Midday sun exposure is most intense during these months.
Warm, 18–25°C; stable weather patterns. Autumn provides cooling relief compared to summer peaks.
—
Starting between 08:00–10:00 avoids the heaviest surge of daily visitors.
Verdict: The optimal time to visit is mid-week between 08:00–10:00 during the months of April, May, September, or October.
The Path of the Gods is a public hiking trail that remains accessible every day of the week. This allows for flexibility when planning your trip from Sorrento.
Prepare these logistics and gear before leaving Sorrento for the Path of the Gods hike.
Everything you need to know about is sorrento a good base for the amalfi coast
The path is generally manageable, but it involves uneven terrain and exposed ridges that require caution. Parents should assess the physical fitness and comfort levels of their children before starting the trek. Always carry sufficient water and wear appropriate footwear for the rocky surface.
Path of the Gods Hiking Tours from Sorrento
Read more GuideHow Difficult is the Path of the Gods Hike?
Read more GuidePath of the Gods Hike Length & Route Details
Read more GuideHow to Get to Path of the Gods from Sorrento
Read more GuideSorrento to Path of the Gods Bus Guide
Read more Tickets & toursTransfers & Transport from Sorrento
Read more