Attractions and Places To See around Dèsulu/Desulo - Top 20

Great view. Beautiful area.

It may not be obvious that Sardinia's highest mountain is crowned by an imposing summit cross, but it seems completely natural to the mountain hiker. A base made of natural stone from the surrounding area forms the lower level of this small sacred monument. A round column bears the Latin inscription "Ave Crux spes unica" (loosely translated "Hail [holy] cross, [you] our only hope") and continues further up - almost seamlessly - into the longitudinal beam of the cross. Like many other summit crosses, it is comparatively simple in its design and has no corpus, but is certainly dignified.

With an all-mountain mountain bike you can do almost everything on the bike, both uphill and downhill

Imagine standing on the highest point in Sardinia, Punta La Marmora, and your gaze sweeps over the entire island. On a clear day you can even see the silhouettes of Corsica on the horizon. You can put this experience into practice by hiking to the summit of this 1,834 meter high elevation. Ideally, start your tour in the parking area at Rifugio Sa Crista or Rifugio S’Arena near Desulo. The route is not short at 15.5 kilometers, but it rewards you with an incredible variety of landscapes. Within a walking time of three and a half to four and a half hours, you will cross picturesque forests, pass flowering meadows and hike across impressive boulder and craggy terrain. Among other things, it goes over the summits of Bruncu Spina and Punta Paulinu. As you climb from Bruncu Spina towards Punta La Marmora, a huge summit cross might lead you astray. But don't be fooled, because the true summit is only reached when you reach the small rock pyramid that marks the top of La Marmora. The peak itself was named after the general and scientist Alberto Ferrero della Marmora, who described Sardinia in detail in his works. His love for the island will become clear to you at the summit when you enjoy the breathtaking view. You should be well prepared for this hike. This means: Sturdy hiking boots, enough water and sun protection should be in your luggage. If you need refreshment in between, you can stop off in the towns of Desulo or Fonni. The months from June to September are ideal for the tour. But Punta La Marmora is actually a year-round hiking destination for everyone who is looking for something special. Ready for this adventure? Then lace up your hiking boots and experience Sardinia at its best!

Climbing to Punta La Marmora from Bruncu Spina you first reach the pre-summit, which is misleading with its enormous summit cross. To reach the highest peak in Sardinia, you need to continue further south until you reach a small rock pyramid. This marks La Marmora's peak share of 1,833.

If you reach Punta Paulinu from Mount Bruncu Spina by walking on the high path, as you approach the rocky peak you can see on the left (towards the south-east) the famous rock formation called "Arcu Gennargentu", which is a set of three rocks that it forms a natural arch overlooking Mount Bruncu Spina on one side and the Sardinian panorama to the east.

Mount Bruncu Spina (Cardo peak), with its 1,829 meters above sea level, is the second peak in Sardinia. The summit can be easily reached from the car park at the foot of the chairlift, near the refuge of the same name (now closed). The climb is steep but short. It's worth the effort to enjoy the views from this grassy summit.

Punta La Marmora, which rises 1,834 meters above sea level, is the highest peak in Sardinia. It is located in the Gennargentu massif. A cross crowns the top of this magnificent place. Running up here isn't difficult, except for some occasionally steep sections. It's not very technical; you just have to be fit. The breathtaking views make it truly extraordinary. You can see up to the lake of the upper Flumendosa, Perda Liana and Arbatax, if the fog allows it, and on the other side you can range up to Oristano. It's incredible.