How much does the Path of the Gods actually cost?
Why you pay for a tour (even though the trail is free)
I won’t pretend otherwise: if you’re fit and independent, you can walk the Path of the Gods alone for nearly nothing. The trail has no entrance fee. But most people book a tour anyway because they solve three real problems. First, getting to Bomerano is awkward — the SITA buses are infrequent and confusing if you’re not local. Second, a guide adds something — knowledge of the terrain, the story of the place, and someone who knows if the shepherd’s hut is open that day. Third, the walk back up isn’t easy; the ~1,500 steps from Nocelle to Positano are steep, and if you’re tired after three hours of hiking, a return transfer is a relief.
Price table: every tour, per person vs per group
Below is the full price breakdown. Note: the shuttle (€185) is per vehicle (your group), all others are per person.
| From Sorrento: Path of the Gods Guided Hike with Transfers | Top pickSorrento: The Path of the Gods Hike | Sorrento: Path of the Gods Guided Hike with Transfer | Amalfi Coast: Path of the Gods Private Walking Tour | Positano: Private Transfer to Bomerano - Path of the Gods | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | €80 | €88 | €108 | €125 | €185 group |
| What's included | Guide + transfers | Guide only | Guide + transfers | Guide + transfers | Transfers only |
| Lunch/snacks | Optional stop | Optional stop | Included | Not included | Not included |
| Group size | ~12–15 | Small | ~12–15 | Your group | Your group |
| Best value for | Most people | Budget hike | Full day | Private groups | Solo hikers |
| View → | Book this → | View → | View → | View → |
The DIY option: going alone by bus
If you want to save money and are happy navigating Italian buses, you can do it solo. Take the SITA bus from Sorrento to Amalfi (about €2.40), then the smaller bus up to Bomerano/Agerola (another ~€1), walk the trail (free), and hike or bus back down to Positano. Total cost: maybe €5–€8, plus food. But here’s what you trade off: bus timetables are sparse and unpredictable in summer, you’ll need to carry a map or download offline navigation, and if you miss the last bus from Bomerano, you’ll be stuck on a cliff with no phone signal. For solo hikers or very tight budgets, it works. For everyone else, the €80 tour is worth it.
Lunch and snacks
Most tours stop at a small shepherd’s hut halfway through, where you can buy bread, cheese, tomato, honey and water — usually a couple of euros, optional donation. Bring your own snacks too; the hut isn’t always open in shoulder season, and on hot days you’ll want extra water.
Questions about cost and cancellation
All the tours listed above have free cancellation up to 24 hours before the hike. If you cancel later, you lose your money. Prices are per person except the shuttle, which is per vehicle. Currency is euros; if you book from outside Europe, your payment processor will convert it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Path of the Gods hike free?
The trail itself is completely free — no entrance fee, no ticket, no gate. You can walk it alone any day, year-round. What costs money is hiring a guide and paying for transfers to and from the trailhead. That’s why tours start at €80 per person.
Can I hike it alone without paying?
Yes, if you have time to navigate Italian buses and are comfortable with outdated timetables. Take the SITA bus from Sorrento to Amalfi, then up to Bomerano; walk the trail; and either hike or bus back down. It costs a few euros in bus fares and nothing else. But if the bus doesn’t match your schedule, you’re stranded. Most people book a tour for the logistics, not because they have to.
What does the €80 tour include?
Minibus pickup from Tasso square in Sorrento in the morning, drive to Bomerano, a guided walk down the trail with a professional guide, and return transfer to Sorrento by evening. The guide often brings trekking poles and knows where the shepherd’s hut is open. Water and snacks are your own.
Is lunch included?
Not in most tours. At the midpoint, the group usually stops at a small refreshment hut where you can buy bread, cheese, tomato and honey for a few euros (optional donation). The full-day tour (€108) includes a longer lunch break with food. Bring your own snacks and a water bottle.
Can I get my money back if I cancel?
All tours offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the hike. If you cancel within 24 hours or don’t show up, you lose the full amount. So book when you’re fairly sure about your dates.