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Sardinia is a paradise for outdoor activities, and in Ogliastra even the most experienced trekkers will find wild places to immerse themselves in. Between majestic peaks, gorges sculpted by time and panoramic coastlines, this region is ideal if you love exploring unspoilt nature.
To make the most of these excursions, it is essential to be well prepared: make sure you have the right clothing and equipment, bring plenty of water and plan your route carefully. It is also a good idea to tell someone about your plans before you set off and to check the weather forecast to avoid any surprises along the way.
We invite you to discover this area with these 4 trekking routes, rated E and EE, which we are sure will give you incredible emotions and make you fall in love with the island even more.
Dive into the wild blue
The Selvaggio Blu Trail is an extraordinary route that follows the ancient paths of the shepherds and charcoal burners who used to walk along this coast, equipped with juniper ladders to overcome the most difficult passages and reach the most uncontaminated nature. Nearly 60 kilometres long and very demanding, this route winds along the coast of Baunei. It starts from Santa Maria Navarrese, where the environment becomes increasingly wild and panoramic, until it reaches the magnificent Cala Goloritzé. From here, the path climbs to Cala Fuili. At Cala Sisine, in particular, there are numerous technical passages until you reach Cala Luna.
Due to the difficulty of the route, it is always advisable to be accompanied by an expert guide and to be in excellent physical condition.
Trekking in Cala Luna
The excursion to Cala Luna offers a well-marked and popular route that winds through limestone terrain. The starting point is the car park above Cala Fuili, from where a steep staircase leads down to the bottom of the Codula Fuili ravine. The path to Cala Luna opens up through the vegetation and is marked with the typical red and white signs. There are descents and climbs along the way, as well as some rocky passages that require more attention.
Once you reach the beach, the path becomes steeper and steeper, until you reach the magnificent Cala Luna, with its transparent waters and majestic cliffs. Here you will find a bar-restaurant where you can have a snack before returning. The return can be made by the same route or, in summer, by the ferry that connects Cala Luna with Cala Gonone.
Original public domain image from Wikimedia Commons
Cala Goloritzè, the pearl of the east coast
The walk to Cala Goloritzé is very popular in summer, and although the path is not signposted, it is easy to follow, even for the less experienced. Access to the beach is subject to payment of a ticket, which can be bought at the start of the path.
You start from the Su Porteddu car park bar, go through the gate and immediately turn right where the ticket office is. From here the path turns left and the clearly visible track climbs up to 570 metres, where you have to follow the left fork and start to descend. Continuing along the path, you will come close to the imposing Aguglia di Goloritzé, a destination for climbers from all over Europe, and then, after a few steep metres, you will descend to the bay.
The return follows the same route, but instead of a descent there is an ascent that takes no less than two hours. There are no springs along the route, so remember to bring enough water for the whole excursion.
The Su Gorropu Gorge, the deepest canyon in Italy
Su Gorropu, with its vertical walls rising up to 400 metres, is one of the most famous excursion destinations in Sardinia. There are several ways to explore it and to make the return easier it is possible to organise a 4×4 transfer.
From the clearing at the Genna Silana pass, 1017 metres above sea level on the SS125, there are numerous signs indicating the start of the trail. It is important to ignore an initial detour to the left and instead take the more obvious, asphalted, downhill path that leads through ancient traditional huts and breathtaking views to the bed of the Rio Flumineddu, where the entrance to the gorge begins.
Here, the staff at the ticket office will provide you with all the information you need to explore. The route inside the gorge is well signposted, but it must be approached with caution: the difficulty increases as you progress, so judge when it becomes too difficult. The actual visit to the Su Gorropu ravine usually lasts about an hour, after which you take the path to the right, well marked by a wooden post with an arrow, to return to the starting point.
Acquatrek along the Rio San Gerolamo
The excursion along the Rio San Gerolamo is an aquatrek adventure, where you move from time to time by walking in the fresh water of the stream. Everything you bring with you is likely to get wet, so limit yourself to a few items in waterproof containers.
From the bridge on the SS198 over the Rio San Gerolamo, follow the road north-west for about 350 metres until you find an open gate on the right. Once inside the gate, quickly descend towards the riverbed where the waterway begins. Follow the watercourse and soon you will find yourself in front of the Caddargiu ‘e Sini lake. From here, the trail continues for a few kilometres between walkable sections and transparent lakes. After about two hours of walking, you reach Frumini, where a bridge over the stream marks the end of the route.
