trips / europe/ sardinia

Sardegna might be described as the wild west of Italy. This description fits surprisingly well.

Sardegna, or Sardinia as English speakers know it, is an Italian island in the Mediterranean just south of Corsica. The island has a very old, and rich history. It has evidence of settlement a long ago as several thousand years BC. The early settlers left large rock structures all over the island called Nuraghe present only on Sardinia and no where else, but interestingly, no written or pictographic remains.

In modern times, Sardinia is well known as a beach destination, arguably sporting some of the best beaches in the Mediterranean. While the coast is quite well known as a tourist destination, the interior of the island is wild, with deep canyons and kilometers upon kilometers of dirt roads and trekking paths.

For the adventure traveler, the island offers trekking, world famous rock climbing, and canyoning. The island is limestone on a granite base, creating hundreds or thousands of caves. Even many of the canyon adventures involve short (or long) stretches of caving.

Be warned, canyoning in Sardinia is a bit different than some of the other canyon areas I have visited in Europe. There are few signs for finding trailheads, limited information in English, and in general, a wild and remote feel. An absolute paradise! The trips detailed here can be done year around (unless otherwise specified in the description), but summers in Sardinia can be brutally hot. Think 100+Fahrenheit and high humidity hot. If visiting in the summer, be prepared to carry a gallon plus of water during hikes. Cooler times of year are recommended. Canyons with water will require full wetsuits year around.

Getting There

It is, after all, an island. Getting there involves either a ferry or flight from the mainland. Major ports are Sassari and Cagliari. I would recommend Cagliari as a gateway to the island. It is a magical city that is quite tourist friendly.

Getting Around

The island has a good public transportation system, but to really do outdoor adventures, you'll need a car. Most of the roads are a bit rocky, but passable with a very carefully driven car.

Lodging

Primitive camping is technically illegal over most of the island. Though some do it, locals can be anywhere from ambivalent to downright hostile towards outsiders camping on local lands. Do it at your own risk, though I would not recommend it unless you are fluent in Italian.

The next cheapest options are bed and breakfasts and agritourismo. Both are generally cheaper than a hotel, and are available all over the island. Agritourismo are basically farms that rent rooms. They typically offer dinners and breakfasts. Dinners can be expensive, but good. Or you can simply pay for the room. (Breakfast is generally included.) Having stayed in quite a few B&B and Agritourismo rooms, I have yet to have a bad experience. All have been clean, well kept, with very friendly and helpful inn keepers. Many speak some English. High season is the summer months (July, August), so if you can travel earlier in the spring or later in the fall, cheaper rates can be had. (As of 2011, we paid about 60 euro a night for 2 people in most places.)

Canyoneering

Trip	Rating

Climbing

Trip	Rating
Via Ferrata del Cabirol - Alghero	Standard Via Ferrata