FULLY BOOKED
This is a six day, 5 night technical trek through the heart of the incredible Supramonte mountains of Sardinia. In a small team of 5 plus Tania as Guide, you will experience the harsh beauty first hand.
It passes through some of the most unspoilt areas of this beautiful wilderness, passing beneath the highest peaks before plunges into hidden canyons and scaling cliffs using improbable ‘shepherd paths’ before arriving at the gulf of Orosei at cala sisine beach.
This combines rock climbing skills and abseiling skills with a chance to experience the culture and history of this unique landscape. It’s a unique and unforgettable trek crammed full of contrast, stunning views and a fair amount of adrenaline.
Prior experience abseiling, good footwork and fitness and a steady head for heights essential.
Four nights bivouacking and one night at a recognised campsite.
For a final challenge we plan to sea kayak back to cala gonone from cala sisine (@3hr kayak) weather and sea state permitting.
Because of the higher technical nature of this trek the ratio is limited to 5 guests and our bivouac and camping gear will be transported between night time locations by our support team.
To book or register your interest please email tania.noakes@gmail.com
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival
We will arrange a private group transfer from Olbia airport to refuge Monte Maccione in the evening at 19.00hrs. The journey time from Olbia to Monte Maccione, above the beautiful mountain town of Oliena, is about 1hr 30minutes. On arrival you will check in and have a light evening meal of local Sardinian specialities. Transfers at alternative times can be arranged for your but this cost is not included in the package and will be at the client’s own expense.
Day 2: Rifugio Monte Maccione – Lanaitho Valley Caving hut
Distance: 14km Time: 8-9hrs Ascent: 600m Descent: 1100m
Activity: Trekking, Abseiling, (potentially) Via Ferrata.
We start after an early breakfast and leave the refuge at 644m to walk to the col of Scala ‘e Pradu at 1227m. From here we descend towards the Lanaitho valley, a wide open valley which penetrates the heart of the Supramonte. We pass Oville Ortini a traditional shepherd’s hut at 700m before entering the Savona valley; a flat meadow shaded with holme oak trees. The terrain soon narrows as we enter the Pentomas gorge- our main focus for the day. We will descend this stunning dry canyon in a serious of challenging and committing abseils. There are 12 abseils in total separated by sections of walking and scrambling over rocks. The steep sides of the canyon offer a rich and colourful backdrop for this, one of Sardinia’s best Canyon experiences. We arrive in the afternoon towards the exit of the canyon at the wide and flat valley floor of Lanaitho. Here we decide whether we have time and energy to take on the additional challenge of the Pentomas via Ferrata or simply head to the nearby Rifugio Sa ‘Ohe for refreshments. Then we walk a further 3km to a local cavers refuge where we stay the night.
Day 3: Lanaitho Valley – Sedda ar Baccas Shepherd Hut
Distance: 22km Time: 10hrs Ascent: 1100m Descent: 300m
Activity: Trekking, Archaeological site of Tiscali and Nuraghe Towers, Geological
Site of Su Sercone, camp at traditional Shepherd’s hut. Today we start early as we have a long day ahead. We climb up out of the Lanaitho valley towards the hidden bronze age settlement of Tiscali. An archaeological site which remained hidden for many years in a partially collapsed cave and is accessed along an improbable ledge in the cliff face. We take a little time to enjoy Tiscali before continuing toward the high plateau of the Supramonte. We pass close by a vast limestone sink hole before continuing into holme oak woodland that passes around the catchment area of the Gorropu Canyon. We then descend past the imposing ruins of several Nuraghic towers before a final climb takes us to our home for the night at the shepherd’s hut of Sedda ar Baccas. This is a long and challenging but intensely rewarding day exploring the wild heart of the Supramont of Sardinia and we are unlikely to see anyone else.
Day 4: Seddas Arbaccus – Shepherd Hut to Genna Silana Campsite
Distance: 17km Time: 8-9hrs Ascent: 900m Descent: 600m
Activity: Trekking, Canyoning, Swimming.
Today we enter the very heart of the Gorropu canyon and we do so in the most dramatic way possible. We leave Sedda ar Baccas after an early breakfast and quickly drop out of the woodland into the narrow Riu Flumineddu Canyon, the main tributary of Gorropu The gorge is dry at first and relatively easy walking along the gentle bed of the canyon. After about an hour the canyon narrows and we soon reach the first of a series of abseils which will take us through this more challenging section. The canyon itself has some standing water, which means that occasionally we need to wade through the water and at times swim for a few meters! This is a truly unique and challenging part of our journey and we have to be sure that we have the right conditions to complete it safely. In the event of rainfall or even too much recent rainfall in the days preceding our descent we may have to alter our itinerary. When we exit the canyon we soon arrive at the junction of the three Gorropu tributaries at “Sa Giuntura” a magical and very tranquil place where we take a late afternoon rest stop before continuing on our journey into Gorropu itself. The majority of tourists to the canyon visit only the last 500m of the canyon downstream of Sa Giuntura. We will see a few other people as we marvel at the narrow twisting canyon with its lofty multi-coloured walls that leave only a narrow strip of sky above our heads. Finally we follow an established trail eastwards out of the Canyon toward the col at Genna Silana where we stay in the established campsite for the night. Here there will be the opportunity for a well-deserved hot shower.
Day 5: Genna Silana Campsite – Margine Wildcamp/Shepherds hut
Distance: 20km Time: 9hrs Ascent: 800m Descent: 900m
Activity: Trekking
Today we leave the campsite after breakfast and descend into the head of the Codula Luna with extensive views of “little Gorropu” canyon to the east and the open almost alpine pastures of the Supramonte. We cross the base of the codula and ascend on the other side to an indistinct shepherd’s path which traverses below the cliffs of Serra Oseli passing two beautifully positioned old Shepherd’s huts along the way. A short passage build from juniper wood gives us access through the cliff band to the plateau above and shortly afterwards we gain a rocky jeep track which we follow to our wild camp for the night in the shade of a Maple tree.
Day 6: Margine Wildcamp – Bacu Padente Wild Camp
Distance: 15km Time: 7-8hrs Ascent: 500m Descent: 400m
Activity: Trekking, exposed narrow shepherd’s path.
We leave camp and quickly descend into the upper reaches of Bacu Addas a canyon which twists and drops with incredible views eastwards towards the sea. The canyon narrows and forces us to ascend the side wall for a short distance aided by sections of juniper wood before gaining the locally famous S’Istrada Longa… a narrow shepherds paths which cuts across the vertiginous right flank of the canyon. The path is not technical but it is exposed and at times narrow and demands sure- footedness. Fortunately we have already had plenty of training! We take our time to enjoy the views out over the sea before leaving the ledge and, with the aid of juniper wood wedged into the cliff-face again we descend a narrow drop in the canyon floor before gaining the jeep trail running through Codula Sisine. At this point we head south along the jeep trail and enjoy this wide imposing canyon before a short climb brings us to Oville Ololbissi and the entrance to Bacu Padente where we will camp for our final night in the wilderness of Sardinia’s Supramonte.
Day 7: Bacu Padente Wildcamp – Cala Gonone
Distance: 4km Trekking Time 3-4hrs Abseil descent : 400m
Sea Kayaking 3-4hrs
Activity: Abseiling, Tourist cave exploration, Boat trip/Sea Kayaking.
After breakfast we continue with all our equipment in our rucksacks for about 30minutes walk along a trail on the steep flank of Bacu Padente before reaching the start of a series of abseils which will take us into Grotta del Fico, a remarkable tourist cave accessible normally only by boat. Once we reach Grotta del Fico we have a little time to explore the cave before our boat will arrive to take our rucksacks back to Cala Gonone for us. At this point if anyone decides they have done enough for the day they can choose to get the boat transfer straight back to Cala Gonone. For those who still have energy remaining, and depending on the sea condition, we will take the boat a short distance to Cala Sisine beach where our sea Kayaks await us. From here it is a 3-4hour Kayak back to Cala Gonone. On arrival we will check into our Bungalow accommodation for the night. After a quick shower and a fresh set of clothes we are picked up by our personal driver and taken a short distance to a traditional Shepherd’s hut . Tonight we will enjoy a well-earned Sardinian feast of local food and wine. Late in the evening we have a transfer booked back to the campsite for the night.
Day 8: Optional R&R day
Weather and sea-state permitting we hire a speed-boat for the day with our own personal driver who will to take us to the most beautiful beached along the incredibly wild stretch of coastline south of Cala Gonone. The Orosei gulf, with its crystal clear turquoise water and exquisite beaches is justifiably famous. The difficulty of access has protected this coastline from mass tourism and the best way to appreciate these beaches by boat. This today is an opportunity to relax, to switch, to swim and to enjoy a glass or two of the famous Sardinian Cannonau wine- all the time accompanied by breath-taking views. A well-deserved reward after six days of challenge, hard work and excitement on our Wild Canyons of Sardinia Adventure.
Day 9: Departure Day
We will arrange a private group transfer to leave Cala Gonone around 10.00am. The journey time to Olbia Airport is around 1hr 20minutes, so you will arrive at the airport at about 11.30. Transfers at different times can be arranged but this cost is not included in the package and will be at the client’s own expense.
Costings
Guiding fee for Wild Canyons: €600 per person with €200 non-refundable deposit to secure your place. Balance due by 19.04.24.
In country costs: €650-750 per person (depends on number of people on trip)
Included in in country costs:
Transfers from Olbia to Cala Gonone - a group airport transfer will be arranged
Baggage transfers between all bivouac locations.
Hire of sea kayaks on last day and delivery of seas kayaks to cala sisine.
Entry fees to all sites of special interest (Tiscali, Goroppu)
6 lunches on trek
1 shepherds meal and breakfast on trek
1 evening meal at rustic bar at cala Sisine and breakfast in last night on trek.
1 evening meal and breakfast prepared by your guide.
Transfer from Cala Gonone to Refugio Monte Maccione at start of trek day 1.
Campsite fees at Genna Silana campsite on night 3 on trek.
Boat or Jeep transfer back to cala Gonone if sea state does not allow return by kayak.
Not included in in country costings:
Flights to and from Olbia in sardinia. Fly on May 31st and 6th June.
Insurance to cover your holiday.
Evening meals, breakfasts and lunches whilst in Cala Gonone.
Accommodation of your choice in cala gonone at the start and finish of the trip. You will need one night at the start of your trip sat 31st May and the night at the end of the trip Friday 6th June. There are many options in Cala Gonone from camping to luxury hotels. Once we know the group size we can coordinate to best fit the requirements of the group. For hotel accommodation on twin room shared basis estimate 100€ for the two nights.
To book or register your interest please email tania.noakes@gmail.com