Places in Ogliastra, Sardinia

The east coast of Sardinia that is the province of Ogliastra is the least populous province of Italy and one of the most beautiful and evocative area in Sardinia. This area shows a great variety of the coastal landscape alternating high rocky cliffs with wide sandy beaches.

Its overhanging rocks hide and seclude spellbinding beaches like Cala Mariolu, Cala Goloritzè or Cala Luna. These places are to be visited and thouroughly enjoyed; access is only possible by boat from Cala Gonone or through a couple of hours trekking down to a very beautiful path.

Trekking lovers can follow a rather difficult although extraordinary beautiful path for about two hours. Slightly south, Ogliastra offers easy access to long white stretches of sandy beaches like the ones in Bari Sardo, Arbatax and Santa Maria Navarrese, popular seaside destinations.

The state road SS 125 leads you to the high plain of Supramonte, starting point for great excursion itineraries. The whole area is very popular among free climbers and excursionists with the most visited spots being Perda 'e Liana or Su Gorroppu, the deepest European canyon.

Also, you should not miss places like the Pedra Longa, a natural monument located eight km from Santa Maria Navarrese, a popular seaside resort. The western coastal area, namely the province of Oristano, is mainly flat with some gorgeous wet areas like the Penisola del Sinis or the lagoon of Cabras, permanent home of pink flamingos and other marshy birds.

In the same area the archaeological site of Tharros, a Punic city founded in the 8th century BC. Oristano is the main city of the area, although Bosa with its typical multicoloured houses and medieval citycentre is certainly a spot not to be missed.The territory of Ogliastra, almost exclusively mountainous, offers more than only sea and sun.

Travelling on twisted road like SS 125 or SS 198 you’ll discover that the inland, largely covered by woods, hides numerous natural beauties. For instance, make a trip to the mount of Perda 'e Liana, a 120 mt tall rock monolith, or to the canyon of San Giorgio famous among international climbers and excursionists.

Sport activities will allow you to discover the rich natural environment of this area. You may enjoy trekking, free-climbing, paragliding, mountain biking, horse riding, canoeing and more. Several sporting guides and professional instructors are available to provider logistic assistance both to beginners and amateurs.

A great way to discover the area is on board of the Trenino Verde (Small Green Train), a WWF initiative running through and connecting many Sardinian areas, wriggling between bridges, old railway stations and cantoniera houses.

The Trenino Verde runs between June and September and the line serving the Ogliastra territory is the Mandas - Arbatax running along 159 km. It crosses the heart of Ogliastra and through tunnels, bridges and remote villages it will show you the wilderness and the greenery of the surroundings through most beautiful and evocative landscapes.

It will take you into locations otherwise difficult to reach and where the human touch seems light and distant. Among the beauties of the area some interesting pre-historic evidences are scattered along with about 200 Neolithic monuments like menhir and Domus de Janas.