What to wear on the Path of the Gods hike

Footwear: the non-negotiable

Your feet are your life on the Path of the Gods. The ground is uneven, rocky and often loose. You need shoes with a good grip sole — trainers (sneakers) with a rubber tread or light hiking shoes both work well. Hiking boots are nice but not required. What does not work:

• Flip-flops or thong sandals. No support, and one slip on a loose rock and you go down.
• Crocs or jibbitz. Too spongy underfoot, and you will turn an ankle on uneven ground.
• Smooth-soled sandals (leather, smooth rubber). They slide on rocky terrain.
• Worn shoes with bald soles. If your grip is gone, they are not worth it.

Wear shoes that are already broken in. New hiking boots that bite your heel will make the last three hours miserable.

Sun, water and layers

Sun protection. There is no shade along most of the path. Bring a wide-brimmed hat or cap, sunscreen (50+ SPF, reapply after sweating), and sunglasses. On a hot day the sun is relentless. Sunburn and heatstroke are real.

Water. Bring 1.5 litres or more. There are bars at the start (Bomerano) and end (Nocelle), and a refreshment hut halfway, but the path itself has no water sources. Dehydration hits fast in the sun and affects your footing. Carry more than you think you need.

Layers. Mornings can be cool and the wind on the cliff is often strong. A lightweight fleece or windproof jacket in your pack costs nothing and pays off if the weather shifts. In spring and autumn, a rain jacket is also sensible.

What to pack

• Snacks. Energy bars, nuts, dried fruit, or a sandwich. The hike is about 3 hours — a snack halfway keeps energy up.
• Basic first aid. Blister plasters, pain relief, a small bandage. Rocky terrain and new shoes mean blisters are common.
• A small backpack. 10–15 litres is enough. It should have waist straps so the weight sits on your hips, not your shoulders.
• Phone and cash. For emergencies and to pay for the bus down from Nocelle if you decide not to walk the steps.

What not to wear

• Cotton clothes. Cotton holds sweat and dries slowly. Merino wool or synthetic fabrics are better.
• Loose baggy trousers. They catch on rocks and vegetation. Fitted trousers or shorts work better.
• Heavy or stiff jeans. They do not flex with your legs and wear you out faster.
• Expensive or white trainers. They will get dusty and muddy. Wear shoes you don’t mind scuffing.

Fitness, weather and seasonal notes

See best time to hike the Path of the Gods for seasonal footwear tweaks. In summer, start at dawn to avoid midday heat. In autumn and spring, the same gear works but layers are more important. In winter, paths can be muddy and slippery; check locally before setting out.

For fitness and difficulty, see how hard is the Path of the Gods.

Frequently asked questions