Sardinia walking tour: Cagliari to the Costa Smeralda

Day 1

Our exploration of Sardinia starts with two nights in the capital Cagliari, a
buzzy but relaxed port that DH Lawrence linked to Jerusalem, “a strange and
rather wonderful city”. We stay in a classic 4-star hotel on the
edge of the old town, a short walk from the harbour and the medieval district.
We will meet in the foyer of the hotel at 19.00 for introductions before
walking to a lovely nearby restaurant for dinner.  (Dinner)

Day 2

We will be taken on a guided walk through the historical centre of Cagliari, including a visit to its extraordinary archaeological museum and finishing with a light lunch on the bastions with spectacular views over the city and the surrounding coast. The evening is free. (Lunch)

Day 3

Today we drive south, past lagoons filled with pink flamingos, following some
of the most pristine and beautiful coastline in Europe. On the way we will stop
for a lovely walk along the coast, picking up the remains of a Roman road
before finishing at a lovely beach (6 kms, 2 hrs, 76 mts ascent).

After a picnic lunch, we continue on to the southern tip of Sardinia, taking a
short hop by ferry to a very small island, staying in a lovely harbour side (car-
free) town, which will be our base for the next three nights. After settling into
our hotel, the evening is free to explore what I feel is one of the most pleasant
Italian towns I have been to in years. (Lunch)

Day 4

This morning we take a ferry back to the mainland then a spectacular drive above the south-western cliffs of mainland Sardinia. We enjoy an undulating loop walk which takes us out through a forested valley and then back along a ridge, before descending to the well-preserved remains of a Phoenician/Roman temple, which stands isolated in a green valley. (13 kms, 4 hrs, 223 mts ascent). 

After a picnic lunch, we’ll head back to our base, where the evening is free. (Lunch)

Day 5

This morning we walk from the village across the northern tip of the island, following a winding trail that takes us down to a tiny bay. (9 kms 2.5 hrs, 229 mts ascent).

On our way back to town, we visit the island's only winery, where we'll have a light lunch while tasting some of our hosts' fine wines. After lunch, you’ll have the option of getting a lift or continuing back to town on foot (4 kms, 1 hr, 120 mts descent).

In the evening we will have an alfresco dinner at the town’s best restaurant.
(Lunch/Dinner)

Day 6

Today we leave the island, taking an early morning ferry back to the mainland.  From here, we drive across the plains to visit one of the most extraordinary Bronze Age sites in Sardinia, a 3,500-year-old citadel recently added to UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 1997.

From here we drive up through the spectacular Gennargentu Mountains, stopping for lunch at a lovely, family-owned vineyard, which has the oldest vines in Sardinia.  We then continue on to the Supramonte, a spectacular range of limestone mountains, which once considered Sardinia’s ‘badlands’ but is now the island's pride and joy. 

Our accommodation for the next four days is in one of Sardinia’s most celebrated hotels, a 60-year, family-run, 'country house' in the heart of the walking country.  Dinner is at our accommodation.  (Lunch/Dinner)

Day 7

Today we will be picked up from the hotel by two jeeps by local guide Fabrizio and his fabulous team, and driven up to the mountains above the town, the Supramonte, which is the north tip of the Gennargentu range. 

Starting at approx. 1200 metres, we will walk to the highest peak Punta Corrasi, 1463 metres, to enjoy the spectacular views over half of Sardinia. (7 kms, 3 hrs, 307 mts ascent). We’ll have a picnic lunch organised by Fabrizio during the walk, before heading back to the base, where the rest of the afternoon is free.

Dinner is at our accommodation.  (Lunch/Dinner)

Day 8

Today we will be picked from our accommodation by Fabrizio and his team for a remarkable day exploring the heartland of Sardinia: its rugged mountains; its isolated villages and its ancient traditions.  This will include visits to the famous murals of Orgosolo (once a bandit stronghold) and the mask museum that celebrates the districts long history. We will have an outdoor lunch with some local shepherds.  Dinner is at our accommodation. (Lunch/Dinner)

Day 9

This morning Fabrizio will take us on one of the area’s classic walks heading up a long valley behind our hotel, before climbing up to Mt Tiscali, a ridge where the remains of two prehistoric settlements are hidden in a huge limestone cavern – a completely stunning and unexpected sight.  (6.5 kms, 3 hrs, 329 ascent).

After a barbeque lunch, we’ll head back to our hotel, allowing time for a swim in the pool and a relax before dinner.  (Lunch/Dinner)

Day 10

This morning we leave the mountains behind us and head north to one of the most celebrated bits of coastline in Europe, the Costa Smeralda, which has been a ‘jetset’ destination since it was developed by the aga Khan in the 1960s, driving to our base for the next three days.   We will have lunch in an agriturismo nearby.

Our accommodation is in a charming 4-star hotel in the beautiful surrounds of Cannigione.  (Dinner)

Day 11

Today we will be transferred to the northeastern tip of the Island where we'll take a loop walk that starts and finishes at Golfo Aranci, a lovely coastal town.  Our walk takes us along coastal and valley path with scenic views. (7 Kms, 3 hrs, 150 mts)

Day 12

As a finale, today we'll have a relaxing day out on a boat, crossing the bay to explore the archipelago of La Maddalena that makes up the northern tip of Sardinia. Apart from enjoying the truly beautiful scenery, this will include the option of a swim in the blue Mediterranean Sea. Lunch will be served on board.

In the evening, we will regroup for our farewell dinner. (Lunch/Dinner)

Day 13

After breakfast, we’ll transfer you to nearby Olbia an hour's drive away which has an airport (we will be arriving around 10:00) and a port with ferries back to mainland Italy: to Genoa, La Spezia, Livorno (Tuscany) and Civitavecchia (Rome).