From Genna Silana to Gorroppu (B-505)

ABOUT THE TERRITORY 

Currently, the trail network in the Ogliastra district extends for about 440 km. In the Urzulei area, the total length is around 50 km. 

The Supramonte of Urzulei spans an area of about 5,000 hectares, and is rich in exceptional naturalistic, geological, cultural and archaeological attractions.

Over 50% of the area falls within the SCI ‘Supramonte di Oliena, Orgosolo e Urzulei’ and SCI ‘Golfo di Orosei’.

The view ranges from the spectacular cliffs of Codula Elune - a huge canyon that ends at the white sandy shore of the beautiful Cala Luna beach, to the white limestone bastion of Costa Silana.

You will also come across centuries-old holm oaks woods (in the Campos Bargios locality), vast expanses of maquis, and alders in the narrow valleys that descend steeply towards Codula di Luna. 

The Rio Flumineddu is the most important watercourse in Supramonte, to which converge the various ‘Codule’ - i.e. canyons - marked by important karst phenomena. 

Main points of interest 

The Gorropu Canyon is a world-famous destination in this area: a huge 400-m-deep gorge formed in remote geological eras, dominated by Punta ‘Cucutos’. 

Pischina Urtaddala is a small lake nestled inside a huge cave-shaped amphitheatre, fed by the underground waters of the Codula Orbisi.

At Fennau you will find the impressive 2000-metre-long Grotta dell’Edera (Ivy Cave) home to the endemic insect species Sardaphaenops supramontanus and the Neobisiunsardoum scorpion.

This area has experienced multiple uses, including a long shepherd tradition which persists to this day; evidence of the extensive pastoral economy is given by the names of various places that include the word ‘cuile’ (sheepfold): Cuile Cuccutos, Cuile Pitu ’e Ruta, Cuile Orbisi and Or Mufrones

The area’s rich archaeological heritage includes two giants’ tombs (communal megalithic tombs) in the ‘S’Arena’ locality, the nuraghe with village of Perdeballa, and the giants’ tombs in the Nuragic village of Campu Sa Carcara. In the Sa portiscra locality, the ‘Or Murales’ site.

The trail network, mainly comprising hiking trails (difficulty E), allow access to all these places, both coastal and in the mountains, allowing either long ring-shaped routes or short routes to visit specific points of interest, either seaward or upstream. The main accommodation facilities are along State Road SS 125.

WARNING: Beware of the rocky ground and limited number of water refill points. Stay on the marked paths. Do not pick any plant or animal species. Do not disturb wildlife (avoid loud noises).