Spectacular Sardinia

Day 1: Arrive Cagliari

Your trip starts today with your arrival in Cagliari, Sardinia’s capital. Cagliari is easily accessible by plane or boat from mainland Italy. No activities are planned so you may arrive at any time. Please make your own way to the joining hotel that is centrally located (details are in your travel documents). In the evening we meet our tour leader and our fellow travelling companions at a Welcome Meeting (this is usually at 6pm, but you will be advised as to the exact time and place in a notice, located near the reception at our hotel), where our leader will give us a briefing on what lies ahead on our tour.

Day 2: Cagliari - Su Nuraxì - Aritzo

This morning we transfer to the small village of Barumini, in the centre of Sardinia. Here we visit the amazing Nuraghic site of Su Nuraxì, the biggest in the whole of Sardinia. We can also visit the village itself and the small archaeological museum in the feudal Palace of Zapata, where Nuraghic remains have been discovered recently. We then embark on a walk (10 km) taking us onto the high plain (or Giara) of Gesturi, an amazing basalt plateau that rises unexpectedly from the plain of the country, as huge natural fortresses. The plateau has a very special ecosystem, entirely different from the surrounding country, and features beautiful little lakes. But the highlight of the area is the presence of little horses, one of the very last wild herds in Europe. They are believed to be the ultimate descendants of the horses brought to Sardinia by the Phoenicians, 2500 years ago. After a great walk we enjoy our picnic lunch here, before travelling by bus to our next base, a nice hotel at the feet of the Gennargentu Mountains, now a major national park. Before settling in our hotel, we take a last spectacular walk (6 km) over the amazing Mount Texile, an isolated mountain (called ‘Tacco’ in Italian), now declared a natural monument. We then settle into our nice family-run hotel, where we dine on local specialties (4-6 hours walking/16 km) Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner

Day 3: Aritzo – Mamoiada – Oliena

Today we discover the indigenous culture of Sardinia and will undertake some shorter walks. We start the morning with a drive through a spectacular landscape to reach the small village of Mamoiada, known for its intriguing ‘Mamuthones’; local actors who performed pagan rituals in ancient times. The precise origins and meaning have been lost in the centuries, but they certainly have maintained intact their fascination and mystery. We visit the village and its museum, before continuing on to Orgosolo. Here we take a nice round walk through the village, which shows us the many interesting murals of the area and this is where we can buy our picnic supplies. Our next stop and our base for the next two nights is a beautifully located hotel just outside Oliena, underneath the towering walls of the Supramonte. We take a great afternoon round walk (10 km) from here, discovering some of the most amazing mountain scenery. (3 hours walking/10km) Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner

Day 4: Oliena – Su Gologone - Oliena

Today’s walk (12 km) takes us through a wild limestone landscape, underneath the towering walls of the Supramonte. This vast area is an isolated land of shepherds, slashed with deep gorges and inaccessible peaks that are home to a rich fauna of eagles, mouflons, foxes, wild cats, and wild boar. Part of the walk brings us through a pleasant agricultural landscape, the other part through great mountain scenery. From the mountain's flanks there are airy views across the high belvederes and karst plateaus of the Supramonte and into the fertile valley of Oliena. For those who wish, it is possible to climb up to the plateau, either at the Monte Gorrasi or the Punta Sos Nidos. You can of course also take your time to walk through the intriguing village of Oliena. Another highlight along the route is the beautiful Su Gologone spring, an opening in the limestone that is the only source of running water in the area. (4-5 hours walking/12km). Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 5: Oliena – Tiscali - Dorgali

After breakfast we begin our day with a short transfer into the valley of Lainaittu, along the grotto of Sa Oche. Here we can pay a visit to the amazing Nuraghic temple of the Sacred Spring, discovered only recently. We then start our great day walk (13 km), which will bring us into the homeland of the Nuraghic people. We start with a stretch climbing up towards Mount Tiscali. The underground village of Tiscali, in a depression at the top of the mountain, is perhaps the most scenic archaeological site you’ll ever seen! Then, through a beautiful gorge, called the ‘steps’ (Scala) of Surtana, we descend to the lush valley of the Flumineddu River. We arrive down at the river near the entrance of the Su Gorropu gorge, which is one of the most impressive natural beauties of Sardinia. Dug by the forces of the Flumineddu River waters, the gorge looks like a real canyon with dizzy heights up to 500m high. There is also the possibility for a swim in one of the small lakes, before our transfer to our beautifully located accommodation in Dorgali, where tonight we’ll have a great meal together. (4-6 hours walking/13km) Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner

Day 6: Dorgali – Golgo high plain - Santa Maria Navarrese

This morning we transfer along one of the most beautiful roads of the island, with great views over the Gulf of Orosei to the medieval church of San Pietro, on the high plain of Golgo above Baunei. From here we take a great round walk (13.5 km) through an amazing, almost ‘Far West’ landscape, along a number of prehistoric nuraghi, to some impressive viewpoints of the whole area. Other highlights here are the great sinkhole of Su Sterru, and a number of natural ponds. From the high plain we then descend towards the coast along the magnificent gorge leading to the little bay of Cala Goloritzè dominated by its over 75 metre tall rock needle of Punta Salinas. Here we have time for a refreshing bath in the cristalline water where until few years ago monk seals still swam around. From the little bay we then walk up again to the Golgo high plain by way of the Serra Salinas, offering beautiful views on the coast towards Porta Quau. Through Mediterranean maquis and holm oak forest we reach the high plain again from where we transfer by bus to Santa Maria Navarrese, where we will spend the next two nights. This evening we’ll dine at the hotel restaurant. (4-5 hours walking/13.5km). Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner

Day 7: Gulf of Orosei

The last walking day (13 km) is dedicated to the wild coast immediately south of Santa Maria Navarrese. After breakfast we walk from our hotel through the village of Santa Maria Navarrese to the trailhead of the path leading south along the steep rocky coast in the direction of the limestone monolith of Pedra Longa. We will pass through fragrant Mediterranean maquis dotted with wild flowers and small shady patches of holm oak. During this first part of the walk you will enjoy marvelous views on the spectacular coast of the Gulf of Orosei and the towering Pedra Longa. After arriving at the gigantic rock jutting out of the sea you can climb down to its base for some impressive views from below, before climbing up the quiet tarmac road to the mountain saddle dominated by the Monte Scoine and the Monte Oro, from where an incredibly panoramic gravel road takes you back in direction of Santa Maria Navarrese. From here we can see the whole of the bay of Arbatax with its coastal lagoons and red basaltic rocks, against the back drop of the Ogliastra Mountain Ranges. At the end of the walk a short steep descent takes us back down to Santa Maria Navarrese. (3-4 hours walking/13km) Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 8: End Cagliari

This morning we transfer from Santa Maria Navarrese to Cagliari where our trip ends at approximately midday. Meals included: 1 breakfast