The 3 Best Excursions To Do in Ogliastra

 

Ogliastra is the most virgin and wildest Sardinia. The least populated province in Italy has chosen to make its strong point of uncontaminated nature, making it its main tourist attraction.

 

Those who choose to visit Ogliastra want calm, nature, beautiful landscapes and a close contact with nature.

 

Here you can make both unique excursions by sea, knowing part of the 40 km of coastline, considered among the most beautiful in the Mediterranean, but also hiking, hiking, horseback riding in a large area untouched and little humanized.

 

 

 

 

1st Excursion: Sea and coves almost deserted even in the middle of the tourist season

From Santa Maria Navarrese and Arbatax there are several excursions to visit the beautiful coast of Ogliastra. Depending on your tastes and availability, you can choose between trips in rubber dinghy or with traditional boats or motorboats. Always according to your availability, you can choose trips that last all day or those for only half a day.

 

The routes may vary slightly, however, there are some points almost a must, such as the Caves of the Sea Ox or Cala Goritzè, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

The Caves of the Sea Ox are partially open to the public, with a path of 900 m. Visitors can admire the stalactites and stalagmites reflected in the clear waters of a salt underground lake that is supposed to have over 1 km of surface, being among the largest in the world. The reflections form chromatic effects of different shades creating an attraction in the attraction itself.

 

The hall of stalactites and stalagmites borders with the area where the monk seal used to live and reproduce, where the waters of the underground rivers mix with those of the sea..

 

Cala Luna is close to the Grotta del Bue Marino (Sea Ox Cave). It is a beautiful beach reachable only by sea or through a challenging walk through the paths. It is already a taste of the clear blue waters that characterize the other beaches in the area.

 

Cala Goritzè is one of the most beautiful, although it is really difficult to make a comparison between such important beauties. Its clear and transparent waters seem to be enhanced even more with the contrast with the whitish limestone rocks of the pyramid-shaped spire that characterizes this beach. This spire is called “aguglia a tramontana” and is 143 m high.

 

Cala Mariolu also has another name, Ispuligidenie. In the local dialect, the Baunese means “snow fleas” and refers to the tiny white pebbles characteristic of the bay. The name Cala Mariolu derives from the nickname given by the fishermen to the monk seal, “mariolu”, which in dialect means thief, because she stole the fish from the nets.

 

Cala Sisine is a 200 m wide beach that can be reached by sea or by a dirt road that arrives only 2 km from the sea. The conformation of the rocks that frame it make you have the idea of being “in the mountains”, while it is the mouth of a winter stream that descends from the nearby mountains of the Golgo plateau.

 

 

 

2nd Excursion: Green Train

This evocative route is a classic for those who visit Ogliastra.

 

In addition to being the most popular line of tourists, it is also the longest tourist line in Italy, with its 159 km between Arbatax (on the sea) and Mandas.

 

On its way it crosses the woods of the most important mountain of Sardinia, the Gennargentu.

 

As you can see below in the map of the route, you start from sea level and during the journey you exceed 800 m above sea level. You cross villages, forests and valleys through a varied route, made up of bridges (there is one at 40 m above sea level) and tunnels, necessary to ensure that you could reach certain parts of the territory otherwise impervious.

 

Some parts of the territory can only be reached by train, otherwise it would take hours of walking on land not always conducive to walking.

 

Among the stops of the route, we must point out those of Sadali, where the combination of the beauty of the area and good food has become a point of attraction, or even Gairo Sant’Elena. This village was born after the evacuation of the hour called old Gairo, followed by the landslides caused by the exceptional autumn rains between 1951 and 1953. It is interesting to take a tour of old Gairo (especially for lovers of photography).

 

In Arzana is the highest point of Sardinia, the Marmora, with its 1834 m. Lanusei, on the other hand, together with Tortoli in the province of Ogliastra, hosts an interesting museum with historical finds of Nuragic civilization found in the area.

 

After arriving in Arbatax, you can take a walk in Tortolì and visit Su Logu e’ s’iscultura, an open-air Museum of Contemporary Art, where there are works by Mauro Staccioli, Antonio Levolella, Umberto Mariani, Ascanio Renda, Maria Lai and Nitetoski Nagasawa.

 

 

 

3rd Excursion – The Heels of Ogliastra

Heels are called so because of their resemblance to the heels of shoes. There are several heels, but the most famous is that of Perda Liana which covers an area of about 28 square kilometers, between the municipalities of Ulassai, Osini, Gairo and Ussassai.

 

The heel of Perda Liana is easily accessible and you can reach its top using mountaineering techniques. However, it is only possible to visit its surroundings with a quiet walk accessible to all. The heel of Perda Liana captures visitors with the aura of magic that surrounds it.

 

It is considered the most famous natural monument in Sardinia. It rises for almost 1300 m and offers a wonderful view even from afar.

 

After the visit to Perda Liana you can continue for about 20 km (depending on where you left to visit it) and visit Jerzu, known for its wine Cannonau. Also known as the “city of wine”, it offers the ideal refreshment after a hike in the open air.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Giulio Sacripanti

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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