Walking in Sardinia

DAY 1 – Join trip at Olbia (or Cagliari) Airport; drive to our agriturismo

Our trip begins in the Arrivals Hall at Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB) at 5.15 pm. If you would like to join the complimentary airport transfer today, the latest time your flight can arrive is 4.45 pm. (Please note that the 23rd April 2023 departure only, will start at Cagliari Elmas Airport (CAG) at 1 pm and the latest time a flight can arrive for this departure will be 12.30 pm). We will travel together as a group to our base for the next four nights, the welcoming, family-run Agriturismo Canales, a journey of around an hour and 15 minutes (2 hrs 15 mins from Cagliari Airport).

Nanni and Lina’s farm-stay occupies a tranquil setting overlooking Lake Cedrino, with views to the mountains beyond. The agriturismo’s small restaurant serves up tasty cuisine including typical Sardinian fare such as hearty pasta dishes made with the local Gnocchetti and Seada, a sweet semolina fritter flavoured with pecorino cheese, lemon and honey.
ACCOMMODATION:
Agriturismo Canales (or similar)

DAY 2 – Hike through the homelands of the ancient Nuragic civilization to Tiscali archaeological site

We begin our day with a short drive into the Lanaittu Valley to the Sa Oche Refuge where our walk starts. We set out from Sa Oche, initially along a wide gravel road which later narrows to a rocky footpath, as we climb up to the ancient site of the village of Tiscali, located in a depression at the top of the mountain of the same name. Invisible until you climb down into the depression, it’s thought the village was built here for defensive reasons. A number of nuraghe dating back to the first millennium BC can be seen. The Nuragic civilization of Sardinia lasted from the 1800 BC (Bronze Age) to the 2nd century BC, with its name deriving from the nuraghe, a fortress-tower construction, the remains of which now dot the Sardinian landscape. The cult of water was an important element of the Nuragic religion and many well-temples and sacred springs were constructed. In the centre of the site a wide window in the rock opens out onto the Lanaittu valley below. We descend to Sa Oche by a different route, taking us through a narrow gorge with lush vegetation where, if we are lucky, we could spot wild boar or a family of wild mouflon sheep.

Today’s Moderate grade nine-and-a-half kilometre walk is expected to take around four hours with a total ascent and descent of 580 metres.
ACCOMMODATION:
Agriturismo Canales (or similar)

DAY 3 – Supramonte Mountains trek including peaks of Monte Corrasi and Punta Sos Nidos

Today’s walk will take us to one the most spectacular viewpoints in Sardinia, offering panoramic views over the whole of the Supramonte Mountains and beyond. The Supramonte range is characterised by its rugged karst (limestone) topography from which rivers have carved out deep canyons and ravines.

After driving to the start point of our walk near the Hotel Monte Maccione, we climb up onto the barren limestone plateau that stretches between the peaks of Monte Corrasi and Punta Sos Nidos. We ascend Monte Corrasi first; at 1463 metres it’s the highest peak in the Supramonte. The views from here are simply astounding, reaching from Punta La Marmora (Sardinia’s highest peak)) and the Gennargentu Mountains to the west to the Oddoene Valley and the Mediterranean Sea to the east. After enjoying the view, we continue at first downhill and then uphill again to the summit of Punta Sos Nidos (1348 m) for a great view down into the Valley of Oliena, hundreds of metres below. The final stretch of our trek takes us back to our starting point.

Today’s Challenging grade 12 kilometre walk is expected to take around seven hours with a total ascent and descent of 1000 metres.
ACCOMMODATION:
Agriturismo Canales (or similar)

DAY 4 – Trek through the amazing Gorropu Gorge

Today’s walk is in the amazing Gorge of Gorropu, dug out by the forces of the Flumineddu River. After breakfast we drive along one of the island’s most panoramic roads, to the trailhead of the path at the Genna Silana Pass at a little over 1000 metres. From here we walk along a steep gravel track leading slowly down to the canyon entrance, passing through the fragrant Mediterranean maquis, coloured by wildflowers and the red fruits of the strawberry trees. On arrival at the gorge, local guides will explain the nature and geology of this amazing canyon after which we set out to walk and explore this wonder of nature on our own. The further we hike into the gorge, the bigger the boulders we have to climb over and the narrower the passages we have to squeeze through, until we reach the point where the base of the gorge is only five metres wide. From here we make our way to the gorge entrance and follow an easy trail along the river to our pick-up point near a bridge over the river.

Today’s Moderate grade 10.5 kilometre walk is expected to take around five hours with a total ascent of 65 metres and descent of 800 metres.
ACCOMMODATION:
Agriturismo Canales (or similar)

DAY 5 – Visit Dorgali known for its artisan shops en route to Cala Gonone on the coast; free afternoon

We say goodbye to the agriturismo this morning and head for the coast to experience a different side of Sardinia. En route we’ll stop at Dorgali, a small agricultural town known for its crafts and ceramics. Travelling on to the coast by public bus (our luggage is transferred by private vehicle), our next three nights will be spent at a hotel in the seaside village of Cala Gonone on the Gulf of Orosei. This is a laid back place where life gravitates towards the long seafront promenade with a scattering of bars and restaurants and a gently shelving beach.

The rest of the day is left free. You may choose to take a break from walking to relax on the beach at Cala Gonone or nearby Cala Fuili or catch a boat further along the coast to visit various other remote and beautiful beaches and caves.
ACCOMMODATION:
Hotel Cala Luna (or similar)

DAY 6 – Scenic hike from near to Dorgali back to the coast at Cala Gonone

We catch a public bus inland this morning, to the trailhead close to Dorgali. We follow a track that connects Dorgali and Cala Gonone, passing through a short section (less than 200 metres) of tunnel blasted through the rock. The tunnel is wide enough for a vehicle to pass through and light enough not to require torches so claustraphobia isn’t an issue. The trail then ascends with great views all the way to the top of Monte Bardia (881 m) from where there’s a long and gradual descent to the coast. The trail is rocky and quite steep in parts.

Today’s Challenging grade 11 kilometre walk has a total ascent of 485m and descent of 960 metres.
ACCOMMODATION:
Hotel Cala Luna (or similar)

DAY 7 – Hike along part of the Selvaggio Blu coastal trail with fabulous sea views

We catch a boat south to Cala Sisine this morning and enjoy fabulous coastal views of the limestone cliffs and turquoise waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Cala Sisine is an unspoilt sandy beach in a gorgeous cove from where we start our trek along a section of the renowned Selvaggio Blu trail. The Selvaggio Blu (Wild Blue) is a multi-day trek, abseiling and climbing expedition that runs for over 50 kilometres along a stretch of Sardinia’s remote limestone east coast. But don’t worry – the section from Cala Sisine to Cala Gonone that we hike involves only walking! The rocky trail undulates up and down the cliffs from Sisine to another beautiful beach, Cala Luna at nine kilometres from where there’s an option to return to Cala Gonone by boat. For those wishing to continue, it’s another five-and-a-half kilometres on to the end of the trek, the beach at Cala Fuili , a 20 minute walk back to our hotel.

Today’s Moderate grade 14.5 kilometre walk is expected to take approximately five-and-a-half hours with a total ascent of 845m and descent of 910 metres.
ACCOMMODATION:
Hotel Cala Luna (or similar)

DAY 8 – Drive to Olbia (or Cagliari) Airport where the trip ends

Departing Cala Gonone we drive to Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB) where we will arrive about at 3.00 pm and this is where the holiday ends. The earliest time you should book a flight to depart today is 5.00 pm. (Please note that the 23rd April 2023 departure only will depart from Cagliari Elmas Airport where we will arrive at around 11.30 am and the earliest time your flight can depart will be 1.30pm).

Daily distances

Day 2 – 4hrs – 9.5km

Day 3 – 7hrs – 12km

Day 4- 5hrs – 10.5km

Day 5 – 0km

Day 6 – 5hrs – 11km

Day 7 – 4.5/1.5hrs – 9.5km/5.5km

Total distance : 58 kilometres

Walking grade: Moderate and Challenging

Trek details: Walks on 5 days for between 4 to 6 hours. Two of the walks are graded Challenging and 3 are graded Moderate. Terrain varies from dirt and gravel tracks to rocky trails. Some light scambling and rock-hopping may be required on sections of the gorge and mountain walks. This trip is only suited to sure-footed walkers who are confident walking on this type of terrain.

Max walking altitude (m): 1463