The Path of the Gods starts in Positano and ends in Praiano (but it can be followed in both directions) and is a 5 and a half hour long journey. It will bring you to a height of 770 m and it is definitely not suitable for inexperienced people. Trekking shoes and comfortable clothes are a must. You will have to bring with you a sufficient quantity of water for the whole duration of the walk. To reach the beginning of the trail you follow these directions: form the Bar Internazionale on the west side of Positano, go up via Chiesa Nuova. Walk on the right side of the church until you get to a small square, and then into a road. Cross it and go up the steps on the left: a pale red and white sign indicates the road… keep an eye out for it, it will show you the way!! Refreshment is available at Montepertuso and Nocella, an enchanted town that can be reached only on foot, where you can enjoy light and very tasty dishes in the Trattoria Santa Croce (tel. 089.875319).

The scenery that will unfold before you is coloured in a very Mediterranean way: here the is no room for soft hues but just for all the unimaginable nuances of blue and green, for the hard white of the wide rock faces and for all the colours of the rainbow in the variety of wild flowers.
Lemons, small oaks and olive trees will keep you company during the whole walk. Pick and taste carobs you will find scattered along the way. The carob tree, widespread on the Amalfi coast, produces these edible odd-shaped fruits which are nowadays used as horse fodder, but in the past they were sought by men too.

(Photographs by Andrea Memeo)

November.2001