The best walks and hikes in the Sardinia Mountains

Embark on a moderate hike through the rugged karstic landscape of Monte San Giovanni — Supramonte of Oliena, Orgosolo and Urzulei - Su Sercone. This trail spans 4.8 miles (7.7 km) with an elevation gain of 896 feet (273 metres), typically taking around 2 hours and 20 minutes to complete. You will traverse rocky ground and ancient holm oak forests, leading to expansive views, including an "indescribable panorama" from higher points and great views of Monte Novo San Giovanni, evoking a distinct "Wild West feeling" with goats and grazing animals.

To enjoy this adventure, you should have good fitness and sure-footedness, as some sections involve uneven paths and limestone scree. Planning for hydration is crucial, especially during drier seasons, because water sources can be scarce along the route. Remember to wear appropriate footwear for rocky terrain to ensure a comfortable and safe experience.

This area is renowned for its ancient holm oak forests, some over 1000 years old, making it one of Europe's most significant natural sites. The trail offers an intense wilderness experience, allowing you to find solitude amidst dramatic geological formations like the impressive Su Sercone sinkhole. Keep an eye out for ancient shepherds' huts, which offer a glimpse into the region's rich cultural past.

The Cala Luna – Round trip is a difficult hike covering 5.2 miles (8.3 km) with a significant elevation gain of 1244 feet (379 metres), typically taking 3 hours and 1 minute to complete. You will navigate rocky, uneven paths through gorges and limestone cliffs, passing through dense juniper and holm oak forests. While sea views are limited for much of the route, the trail culminates at the stunning Cala Luna beach, known for its distinctive moon-like shape and crystal-clear turquoise waters. Expect sections with over 200 steps descending to the beach, offering a challenging but rewarding experience.

This trail is often underestimated, so good fitness, sure-footedness, and sturdy hiking shoes are essential for your visit. The popular starting point is Cala Fuili, and you should be prepared for potentially hot weather if you do not start early. A convenient option is to hike one-way to Cala Luna and then return by boat to Cala Gonone or Cala Fuili, avoiding the strenuous return journey.

Cala Luna beach is widely considered one of the most beautiful in the Mediterranean, making this trail particularly notable. The beach features natural caves that provide shade and incredibly clear turquoise waters ideal for swimming and snorkeling. The journey itself offers a unique opportunity to experience the rugged beauty of Sardinia's Gulf of Orosei coastline, with its dramatic limestone cliffs and rich Mediterranean vegetation. This route is also part of the longer Sentiero Selvaggio Blu.

The Cala Mariolu Trail offers a demanding hiking experience, covering 9.7 miles (15.7 km) with a substantial 2394 feet (730 metres) of elevation gain. You will navigate through dense Mediterranean scrub and over striking white limestone formations, encountering unique juniper trunks carved into natural stairways known as 'Scalones'. The route, which typically takes around 6 hours and 26 minutes, rewards your effort with dramatic views of limestone cliffs plunging into turquoise waters, culminating at the pristine Cala Mariolu beach.

This difficult trail is best suited for experienced hikers who possess very good physical fitness, sure-footedness, and some experience in alpine conditions. It is not recommended if you suffer from vertigo, or for children, the elderly, or those without adequate training. While you can hike independently, hiring a local guide is strongly advised due to the challenging terrain and sections that are not always clearly marked, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable journey.

As you traverse the route, you will witness the raw beauty of the Gulf of Orosei, passing natural rock arches like S'Arcada Manna de Serra Maore. The ultimate destination, Cala Mariolu beach, is renowned for its distinctive white and pink pebbles and exceptionally clear water, making it a truly unique natural wonder in the region. This trail provides an intimate encounter with Sardinia's wild coastal landscape.

Embark on a challenging hike through the Gorropu Canyon, often called Europe's deepest canyon, where towering limestone walls reach up to 500 meters high and narrow to just 5 meters wide in places. This difficult 7.8-mile (12.5 km) ring tour involves a significant 2905 feet (885 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking around 5 hours and 16 minutes to complete. You will navigate a rugged landscape with dramatic cliffs, ancient holm oaks, and juniper trees, often following the Rio Flumineddu river through forests filled with aromatic plants, and scrambling over boulders inside the gorge.

Planning your visit requires good fitness, sure-footedness, and sturdy shoes. While the overall difficulty is high, you can choose your access point; the route from Genna Silana Pass is popular, starting downhill but requiring a steep ascent on your return. Alternatively, the longer 14 km route from Sa Barva Bridge is generally considered easier. Inside the canyon, you will find marked green, yellow, and red routes, with the red route demanding specialized climbing gear and experience. Always bring at least 1.5 liters of water per person.

The Gorropu Canyon is a truly notable natural spectacle, renowned for its unique geological formation and micro-environment that supports diverse flora and fauna, including endemic species. The dramatic scale of its rock walls and the clear river make it a prime hiking destination in Sardinia. You can also find refreshing natural swimming pools along the Flumineddu river and spot ancient shepherd's huts, known as cuile, adding to the cultural and natural appeal of this extraordinary place.

Embark on the "Along the Ivy River - Loop Tour," a moderate hiking trail spanning 3.7 miles (6.0 km) through the Sette Fratelli forest in southeastern Sardinia, Italy. This route, which takes approximately 1 hour and 52 minutes to complete, follows the scenic Rio Maidopis, likely the "Ivy River" itself. You will gain about 780 feet (238 metres) in elevation as you wind through dense holm oak and cork forests, encountering notable granite rock formations carved by the river.

This loop tour is primarily unpaved, offering a natural hiking experience. While it is suitable for various fitness levels, you should have good fitness and be sure-footed to comfortably navigate the path. The trail does not typically require specialized alpine experience, making it an accessible yet engaging option for many hikers.

The natural landscape and the river are central to the appeal of this trail. The Rio Maidopis carves its bed through granite, creating a distinctive and picturesque environment within the Sette Fratelli region. This area is known for its unique rock formations, and higher elevation trails nearby often provide expansive views over these geological features.