GemmaA good hike has a way of slowing time. One step, one breath, one view that makes you stop mid‑sentence and say, “Okay, that was worth it.” If you have ever stood on the Amalfi Coast and wondered what lies beyond the postcards, the answer is simple: trails. Real paths. Old routes. Stone steps that have seen more footsteps than your favorite city street.
This stretch between Praiano and Positano is not just scenic. It is emotional. It makes your legs tired and your mind calm at the same time. You walk through lemon groves, past quiet chapels, above cliffs that drop straight into blue water, and through villages that feel untouched by rush.
In this guide, I will explain the meaning behind these hikes, why they matter, and walk you through 14 hiking trails from Praiano to Positano that you truly need to see. Some are famous. Some are barely talked about. All of them offer something special.
I’ll keep this conversational, honest, and helpful, with a little humor along the way. Because if you can laugh while climbing endless stone steps, you are doing something right.
What Hiking Means Along the Amalfi Coast
Hiking here is not just exercise. It is history under your shoes.
Before roads connected these towns, trails were daily life. Locals used them to carry food, wine, tools, and sometimes entire wardrobes balanced on their heads. What feels like a weekend adventure for you was once the main highway.
These paths connect homes, churches, farms, and viewpoints. You are not walking “nature trails” in the modern sense. You are walking stories.
From my own personal experience, hiking here feels less like sightseeing and more like being invited into the private side of the coast.
You start noticing small details: faded signs carved into stone, tiny shrines built into walls, cats sleeping exactly where the shade hits best. This is what makes these hikes meaningful.
Why You Should Explore Trails Between Praiano and Positano
Most visitors see the Amalfi Coast from below. Boats. Beaches. Balconies.
But the coast reveals its best side from above.
When you hike, you gain silence. The crowds fade. The air cools. The views stretch wider. You earn every panorama, and that makes it stick in your memory.
These trails also let you:
- See villages you would never reach by bus
- Eat at small family spots hidden from main roads
- Understand how steep this coast truly is
- Feel proud of your legs by the end of the day
And yes, your calves will complain. Politely at first. Loudly later.
1. Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei)
This is the legend. The crown jewel. The hike everyone talks about.
Starting near Praiano and ending above Positano, the Path of the Gods earns its name fast. One glance at the cliffs and you understand why ancient travelers believed divine beings walked here.
The trail is wide, mostly level, and dramatic from start to finish. You look down and see boats moving like toys. You look across and see layers of mountains fading into haze.
Despite its fame, it still feels magical. Especially early in the morning when clouds float below your feet.
If this is your first hike in the area, this one is essential.
2. Praiano to Nocelle Trail
This route connects the quiet charm of Praiano with the hillside village of Nocelle.
It involves stairs. Many stairs. Enough stairs that you start bargaining with yourself halfway up.
But the reward is peace. Nocelle sits high above the coast and feels calm even on busy days. You will find simple cafés, friendly locals, and views that stretch forever.
It is a perfect hike if you want challenge mixed with reward.
3. Praiano to Monte Tre Calli
If you want elevation and solitude, this trail delivers.
Monte Tre Calli rises behind Praiano and offers a different perspective of the coast. Instead of cliffs and villages, you get wide mountain views and open skies.
This hike feels wild compared to others. Fewer people. More wind. More quiet.
It is ideal if you want to feel like you escaped the tourist trail entirely.
4. Praiano to Agerola via Upper Trails
This route climbs inland toward Agerola using older mountain paths.
The scenery changes quickly. Lemon trees fade into forest. Sea views give way to rolling hills.
You will pass stone farmhouses and terraced fields that still function today.
It is longer and more demanding, but deeply satisfying.
5. Conca dei Marini to Praiano Coastal Walk
This is a gentler hike, perfect for slower days.
The trail hugs the coastline and connects small villages through side roads and footpaths.
You get sea breezes, hidden viewpoints, and plenty of spots to stop and stare.
It is less about effort and more about enjoyment.
6. Praiano to San Domenico Chapel
Short but meaningful.
This walk leads to a small hilltop chapel overlooking the sea. The trail is peaceful and perfect for sunrise or sunset.
Locals still visit quietly, especially in the evening.
Sometimes the simplest hikes leave the strongest impression.
7. Nocelle to Positano Staircase
If there is one trail your legs will remember forever, it is this one.
The descent from Nocelle to Positano involves over a thousand steps. Sounds dramatic because it is.
But every step brings changing views. Rooftops appear. The beach grows closer. Bougainvillea hangs overhead.
Take your time. Your knees will thank you.
8. Positano Upper Path Loop
Above Positano lies a network of small walking paths connecting upper neighborhoods.
Most visitors never see this side of town.
You walk past laundry lines, gardens, and front doors instead of shops and cafés.
It shows you how daily life continues behind the glamour.
9. Positano to Montepertuso
This hike leads to one of the most charming villages above Positano.
Montepertuso feels personal. Small squares. Quiet corners. A sense of community.
The climb is steady but manageable, and the view looking back at Positano is unforgettable.
Stop for lunch here if you can. You will not regret it.
10. Montepertuso to Santa Maria del Castello
This trail climbs higher into the mountains.
You move away from coastal heat and into cooler air. Forest replaces cliffs.
Santa Maria del Castello sits between the Amalfi Coast and Sorrento Peninsula and feels like a crossroads of landscapes.
It is peaceful and grounding.
11. Positano to Fornillo Beach Walk
Not every hike needs hiking boots.
This coastal path connects Positano’s main beach with the quieter Fornillo Beach.
It is short, scenic, and perfect for evenings.
Think of it as a walk with benefits.
12. Hidden Stairways of Positano
Positano is built vertically. Which means stairs are everywhere.
Some of the best walks are unmarked stairways connecting upper and lower levels.
You discover art, flowers, cats, and views framed between buildings.
It is urban hiking with personality.
13. Positano to Laurito Path
This trail follows the coast westward toward Laurito.
It feels relaxed and local.
You pass small beaches, quiet hotels, and shaded paths.
Perfect for slow exploration days.
14. Sunset Trail Above Positano
This unofficial route follows upper ridgelines above town.
It is not about distance. It is about timing.
As the sun drops, the cliffs turn gold, then pink, then deep blue.
It is the kind of moment that makes you stop talking altogether.
Things You Truly Need to Know Before Hiking
Good shoes matter. This is not the place for slippery soles.
Bring water. Always more than you think.
Start early in summer. Heat builds fast.
Respect private property. Many trails pass close to homes.
And remember, there is no rush. These paths were walked slowly long before you arrived.
Why These Trails Stay With You
You will forget some meals.
You will forget which beach chair you rented.
But you will remember how the air smelled halfway up a climb. You will remember the silence above the sea. You will remember the pride of reaching the top.
That is why hiking between Praiano and Positano matters.
It shows you the coast as it truly is. Not polished. Not rushed. Just honest, beautiful, and a little demanding.
And somehow, by the end, you are grateful for every step.
I’m Gemma, a passionate lifestyle blogger sharing my creative world with you. Gemitaliano.com is my little corner of the internet, glad you’re here.