Summer Adventures
Summer in Sardinia! With the hot sun, it’s definitely not the best time of year to walk on the Supramonte, but if you choose wisely – for instance, setting off in the morning - it’s perfectly possible to enjoy adventurous routes and coastal outings.
Such as the Via Ferrata del Cabirol for which summer is high season: an 8 am start means the route remains completely in the shade.
Another option is the descent of Bacu Padente, Baunei, right in the middle of the Golfo di Orosei, down to the sea. Staying by the sea, this is the season for Coasteering! We have two tried-and-tested coasteering routes that we recommend: Capo Caccia (Alghero) and Capo Figari (Golfo Aranci, reaching the start in a RHIB or by snorkelling).
For the most adventurous, willing to endure a walk-in under the sun, there’s the descent of the Codula Orbisi, with its cool pools or – for expert canyoners –the Grotta Donini.
For many of these proposals you will find the detailed information pages with costs and links to dedicated web sites, but if you need further information, don’t hesitate to contact me using the contact form on the Contact page.
Via Ferrata del Cabirol
The Via Ferrata del Cabirol is suitable for expert walkers (with via ferrata experience) or for walkers with average experience when accompanied by a guide. The via ferrata has two long traverses connected by a short vertical section.
The fact that cables protect the vertical sections should not lead you to underestimate their difficulty or the risks you are taking. You absolutely must use a helmet, harness and energy-dissipating via ferrata set.
Nevertheless this itinerary cannot be said to be “mountaineering”: you don’t have to abseil or tie into a rope with your partner.
Via Ferrata della Regina
The Via Ferrata della Regina is suitable for expert walkers ideally with previous experience on vie ferrate.
The via ferrata is reached with a short approach along an easy path which leads under the cliff from the small and elegant village of Monteleone Rocca Doria. Just after the old spring "Funtana 'e ziu Ainzu" you find the start of the via ferrata, a steep vertical section. The via ferrata also features a Tibetan bridge.
Rio Pitrisconi canyon
The Pitrisconi Canyon (Rio Pitrisconi) is a deep rocky valley, almost a canyon, cut into the porphory of Monte Nieddu, just behind the small tourist centre of San Teodoro/Budditogliu.
The gorge – also a popular destination for walks – is suitable for canyoning, that is, descending following the water course, with jumps and enjoyable slides and using ropes to descend the waterfalls which are present for most of the summer.
Codula Fuili Canyon
Codula Fuili is a small but evocative canyon which is cut into the limestone of the Golfo di Orosei, just a few km from Cala Gonone. To descend it you need to use harnesses and ropes. Although there is no water, this is a classic canyoning tour.
The conformation of this “codula” means that beginners can try out canyoning for the first time without undue stress and enjoy the really unspoiled surroundings. In some points the gorge is so narrow that you can touch both walls at the same time!
Tavolara Island
The Island of Tavolara towers out of the sea. With its sheer 565 m elevation (Punta Cannone) it rises majestically opposite the Golfo di Olbia.
The climb to its summit is worthy of the Alps, both for the considerable height gain and because there are numerous rocky sections along the path that weaves up towards the crest. The final section up the wall barring the way to the summit is equipped with fixed ropes that allow you to progress using via ferrata self-belay techniques.
Spring and autumn are the ideal seasons for the ascent. In winter the visibility is often not very good, while in summer you have to make an early start.
Isola Foradada (summer)
The Isola Foradada is a small (4,6 hectares) rocky island 300 metres from the west coast of the Capo Caccia promonotory (Alghero, SS).
Despite its small size (260 m long, maximum altitude 130 m) it is very imposing, especially because of the large hole that penetrates it from east to west.
The trip to reach the island and climb to the summit is one of the most fascinating that you can find in this part of Sardinia!