The route was created as part of a collaboration between the GAL Ogliastra and the FoReSTAS Agency, with the aim of offering hikers an immersive experience in the natural and scenic beauty of the Ogliastra area. The itinerary features points of interest along every section. You can choose your starting stage and build your own customized route, traveling from north to south or from south to north. The direction of travel may change, but the quality of the landscape remains unchanged.

The path

The initial stretch of the route from Perd’e Pera (Gairo) to Tertenia stands out for its suggestive coastal path, which laps the sea between black pebbles, hidden coves and rock formations shaped by time. Along the route you will encounter wild environments and spectacular views such as that of Sa Perda Stampada. 

The coastal landscape is also characterized by the famous red rocks of Ogliastra: porphyry formations sculpted by the wind, which rise in pinnacles and cliffs overlooking the sea, creating a chromatic contrast of rare intensity with the waters below, which fade from emerald green to deep blue.

The next stage, from Tertenia to Cea Arci (Ulassai), heads inland, crossing olive groves and agricultural areas and then immersing itself in thick holm oak forests. The route winds along the slopes of the Rio Corongiu, crossing the abandoned mining area of Talentinu and reaching Cea Arci, where a sheepfold guards the remains of an ancient nuraghe. The limestone and dolomitic formations here shape a harsh and fascinating landscape, marked by a long interaction between human activities and nature, today returned to a silent balance.

The following stage, from Perdasdefogu to Nuraghe S’Ulimu (Ulassai), opens up between cork oak and holm oak woods, entering a karst environment rich in joints and natural cavities, such as the deep Sa Brecca. The path alternates between shady stretches and panoramic areas, with views of the cultivated valley and the Tacchi di Ulassai, before descending to the ford of a river and climbing back up towards the archaeological sites of Nuraghe Trutturis and S’Ulimu, witnesses of a long settlement continuity. In this stretch of inland Sardinia, the journey becomes a profound exploration of landscape and history, in a continuous balance between the shaping force of nature and the stratified memory of man.

The itinerary concludes with a final stage that, starting from the Nuraghe S’Ulimu, winds through Mediterranean scrub, wetlands, and scenic panoramic viewpoints, eventually reaching the Sant’Antonio area, near a welcoming destination for hikers.

From Ulassai S'Ulimu Nuraghe to Sant'Antonio di Jerzu

The route begins at the archaeological area of Nuraghe S’Ulimu (Ulassai), where a visit to the site is recommended. It includes a nuraghe, Giants’ Tombs (30), and Domus de Janas, with the option to follow a well-marked circular trail.

The path continues along a dirt road, which briefly becomes paved, leading into the Mediterranean scrub. A descent brings you to a river crossing, near an artificial barrier that has created an interesting wetland area - an important habitat for various bird species.

The trail then climbs uphill, offering wide views over Monte Corongiu’s Tacco, equipped rest areas, and a shelter managed by the FoReSTAS Agency.

After crossing the SP13 road, you enter the outer area of the Tacchi d’Ogliastra. The route ends in Sant’Antonio, where you’ll find a Church, spaces for local events, and a welcoming stop, for meals and overnight stay.

In this final section of the route, for greater safety, it is advisable to follow the GPX track.

The route was created as part of a collaboration between the GAL Ogliastra and the FoReSTAS Agency, with the aim of offering hikers an immersive experience in the natural and scenic beauty of the Ogliastra area. The itinerary features points of interest along every section. You can choose your starting stage and build your own customized route, traveling from north to south or from south to north. The direction of travel may change, but the quality of the landscape remains unchanged.

The path

The path offers moments of quiet alternate with opportunities for active discovery, among limestone cliffs, climbing routes, and via ferratas.

The route passes through places full of charm such as the Scala di San Giorgio (16), the abandoned village of Osini Vecchio (17), stone sheepfolds immersed in greenery, and important archaeological sites like Serbissi (30). The landscapes continually change: from olive groves and agricultural inland areas to dolomitic formations and holm oak forests, up to limestone plateaus from which the majestic Perda Liana (37) can be glimpsed. The journey crosses shady and lush environments such as the Montarbu Forest (35), leading to the clear waters of the Niala Pools (Ussassai). It is a path that invites slowness, a sensory immersion into the most authentic Sardinia, among unspoiled nature, ancient memories, and silences that tell stories. The final stage of the journey, long and demanding, represents the most intense synthesis of the entire route. It winds through the Montarbu Forest (35), climbs to Punta Margiani Pubusa (36) with its spectacular panoramas, and skirts closely to the majestic Perda Liana. Among panoramic peaks like Cuccuru ‘e Muvroni (38) and Erdorrù (39), and stretches overlooking the Alto Flumendosa Lake, the trail alternates descents and steep climbs until reaching the vicinity of the SIC Rio Sicaderba, where a restored old railway station marks the end of the path.

From Sant'Antonio Jerzu to Gairo Taquisara

This stage lends itself to being experienced in different ways, depending on the time available and personal interests: you can head straight for the goal or tackle it calmly, with the spirit of those who wish to be guided by curiosity, discovering — step by step —the small villages scattered along the route, through encounters, stories, and surprising landscapes.

From the very beginning, it is possible to deviate toward Jerzu, renowned for its winemaking tradition. Here, numerous wineries open their doors for tastings that, with every sip, convey the passion and dedication of local winemakers—the true guardians of this land.

Another unmissable stop is Ulassai, where art and nature coexist in perfect harmony. The village is deeply connected to the figure of Maria Lai, whose works — spread across museums and open-air spaces — turn the town into a widespread museum. For adventure lovers, Ulassai also offers thrilling experiences such as climbing and the spectacular via ferrata, now iconic features of the area.

Continuing along the trail, a detour leads to Osini, where nature reveals one of its masterpieces: the Scala di San Giorgio (the stair of Saint George) (16), an impressive cleft in the rock with a primordial charm. Not far away is the abandoned village of Osini Vecchio (Old Osini), filled with atmosphere and memory.

The entire route is an immersion in the Tacchi of Ogliastra (Ogliastra’s limestone hills), among limestone cliffs and holm oak forests, with a passage through the archaeological site of Serbissi —a remarkable testament to the Nuragic civilization and an open window onto a thousand-year-old past.

The stage concludes in Gairo Taquisara, a small village where tranquility and authenticity reign.

Tips

The R.E.S. signage is well distributed and easily readable along the entire route.

If you choose to include the detours to Jerzu and Osini, it is advisable to reorganize the stage, considering the possibility of dividing it into multiple days.

This allows for a more complete and relaxed enjoyment of the points of interest.

It is also worth noting that the next stage, from Gairo Taquisara to Niala (Ussassai), features an easy-to-follow path, while the subsequent stage from Niala to Villagrande Station is significantly more challenging and requires proper physical preparation and careful logistical planning.

The route was created as part of a collaboration between the GAL Ogliastra and the FoReSTAS Agency, with the aim of offering hikers an immersive experience in the natural and scenic beauty of the Ogliastra area. The itinerary features points of interest along every section. You can choose your starting stage and build your own customized route, traveling from north to south or from south to north. The direction of travel may change, but the quality of the landscape remains unchanged.

The path

The path offers moments of quiet alternate with opportunities for active discovery, among limestone cliffs, climbing routes, and via ferratas.

The route passes through places full of charm such as the Scala di San Giorgio (16), the abandoned village of Osini Vecchio (17), stone sheepfolds immersed in greenery, and important archaeological sites like Serbissi (30). The landscapes continually change: from olive groves and agricultural inland areas to dolomitic formations and holm oak forests, up to limestone plateaus from which the majestic Perda Liana (37) can be glimpsed. The journey crosses shady and lush environments such as the Montarbu Forest (35), leading to the clear waters of the Niala Pools (Ussassai). It is a path that invites slowness, a sensory immersion into the most authentic Sardinia, among unspoiled nature, ancient memories, and silences that tell stories. The final stage of the journey, long and demanding, represents the most intense synthesis of the entire route. It winds through the Montarbu Forest (35), climbs to Punta Margiani Pubusa (36) with its spectacular panoramas, and skirts closely to the majestic Perda Liana. Among panoramic peaks like Cuccuru ‘e Muvroni (38) and Erdorrù (39), and stretches overlooking the Alto Flumendosa Lake, the trail alternates descents and steep climbs until reaching the vicinity of the SIC Rio Sicaderba, where a restored old railway station marks the end of the path.

From Gairo Taquisara to Niala

A short and relatively easy stage, yet extraordinarily rich in panoramic views and landscapes of great natural value.

This section also offers an immersion in history and archaeology, thanks to the opportunity to visit the archaeological area of Is Tostoinus (23). Here, you can enjoy a pleasant picnic break in the namesake equipped area, made welcoming by a structure inspired by ancient sheepfolds (barracus) and comfortable tables with seating.

After departing from Gairo Taquisara, the route begins with an ascent—the only truly challenging part of the trail. Upon reaching the summit, a suggestive limestone plateau opens before your eyes, where you can glimpse the famous Perda Liana “tacco,” one of the most iconic symbols of the Ogliastra landscape.

Past the halfway point, you cross the lush Montarbu Forest (35), an area of high naturalistic interest.

The stage ends in Niala near the Su Tuvu Nieddu pools (32) — also known as the natural pools of Niala — a place of absolute tranquility, ideal for relaxing and, depending on the season, taking a refreshing dip immersed in nature.

Tips

Some sections of the route may be difficult to follow intuitively. Therefore, it is recommended to have the GPX track and consult it, especially near the archaeological area of Is Tostoinus (23), where in some sections the trail on the ground can be unclear, particularly within the archaeological complex.

The route was created as part of a collaboration between the GAL Ogliastra and the FoReSTAS Agency, with the aim of offering hikers an immersive experience in the natural and scenic beauty of the Ogliastra area. The itinerary features points of interest along every section. You can choose your starting stage and build your own customized route, traveling from north to south or from south to north. The direction of travel may change, but the quality of the landscape remains unchanged.

The path

The path offers moments of quiet alternate with opportunities for active discovery, among limestone cliffs, climbing routes, and via ferratas.

The route passes through places full of charm such as the Scala di San Giorgio (16), the abandoned village of Osini Vecchio (17), stone sheepfolds immersed in greenery, and important archaeological sites like Serbissi (30). The landscapes continually change: from olive groves and agricultural inland areas to dolomitic formations and holm oak forests, up to limestone plateaus from which the majestic Perda Liana (37) can be glimpsed. The journey crosses shady and lush environments such as the Montarbu Forest (35), leading to the clear waters of the Niala Pools (Ussassai). It is a path that invites slowness, a sensory immersion into the most authentic Sardinia, among unspoiled nature, ancient memories, and silences that tell stories. The final stage of the journey, long and demanding, represents the most intense synthesis of the entire route. It winds through the Montarbu Forest (35), climbs to Punta Margiani Pubusa (36) with its spectacular panoramas, and skirts closely to the majestic Perda Liana. Among panoramic peaks like Cuccuru ‘e Muvroni (38) and Erdorrù (39), and stretches overlooking the Alto Flumendosa Lake, the trail alternates descents and steep climbs until reaching the vicinity of the SIC Rio Sicaderba, where a restored old railway station marks the end of the path.

From Niala to Villagrande Station

A long and demanding stage, requiring good physical preparation. Yet, it is also one of the most rewarding stages in terms of environment and landscape, capable of offering continuous emotions to those who undertake it.

The journey begins in the Montarbu Forest (35), one of the most important and picturesque forests in Sardinia. Here, you walk surrounded by the shade of majestic holm oaks, hornbeams, and yews, along paths following the course of the Rio Cambiadorgios. Even during dry periods, the landscape does not lose its charm, thanks to the varied morphology created by the limestone formations.

After crossing the forest and already overcoming about 650 meters of elevation gain, you reach Punta Margiani Pubusa (36), at 1,324 meters above sea level, where a breathtaking 360-degree panorama unfolds: your gaze embraces the Gennargentu massif, reaches as far as the province of Cagliari, and gets lost in the rough and wild morphology of the island, devoid of visible settlements. The descent leads towards one of Ogliastra’s symbols: Perda Liana (37), a majestic limestone taco (“heel”) closely skirted along the trail. The most eager hikers can make a slight detour to reach its base, an experience that adds extra charm to the hike. The route continues with an ascent towards Cuccuru ‘e Muvroni (38) and Erdorrù (39), peaks offering spectacular views over the interior of Ogliastra and the Alto Flumendosa Lake, framed by forests and mountain pastures.

After passing these summits, the trail descends before tackling the final challenging climb, which precedes the last descent to the stage endpoint, located near the Natura2000 Site Rio Sicaderba, named after the river that crosses it.

Here you will also find an old renovated railway station, a historical testimony of the narrow-gauge network that once crossed the island, designed mainly for freight transport rather than passengers.

Tips

This stage is quite demanding, especially depending on the time of year it is undertaken.

It is important to consider that along the route there are some water springs up to the Fo.Re.S.T.A.S. station. Once you leave the station, the only accessible point for possible rescue by operators or support vehicles is at Pinningassu, about 12 km from the starting point in Niala (Ussassai).

Some sections of the route may be difficult to follow intuitively; therefore, the use of the GPX track is strongly recommended.

Careful planning is advised, bringing adequate water supplies and avoiding hiking during the hottest hours of the day or particularly hot days.

The route was created as part of a collaboration between the GAL Ogliastra and the FoReSTAS Agency, with the aim of offering hikers an immersive experience in the natural and scenic beauty of the Ogliastra area. The itinerary features points of interest along every section. You can choose your starting stage and build your own customized route, traveling from north to south or from south to north. The direction of travel may change, but the quality of the landscape remains unchanged.

The path

The path offers moments of quiet alternate with opportunities for active discovery, among limestone cliffs, climbing routes, and via ferratas.

The route passes through places full of charm such as the Scala di San Giorgio (16), the abandoned village of Osini Vecchio (17), stone sheepfolds immersed in greenery, and important archaeological sites like Serbissi (30). The landscapes continually change: from olive groves and agricultural inland areas to dolomitic formations and holm oak forests, up to limestone plateaus from which the majestic Perda Liana (37) can be glimpsed. The journey crosses shady and lush environments such as the Montarbu Forest (35), leading to the clear waters of the Niala Pools (Ussassai). It is a path that invites slowness, a sensory immersion into the most authentic Sardinia, among unspoiled nature, ancient memories, and silences that tell stories. The final stage of the journey, long and demanding, represents the most intense synthesis of the entire route. It winds through the Montarbu Forest (35), climbs to Punta Margiani Pubusa (36) with its spectacular panoramas, and skirts closely to the majestic Perda Liana. Among panoramic peaks like Cuccuru ‘e Muvroni (38) and Erdorrù (39), and stretches overlooking the Alto Flumendosa Lake, the trail alternates descents and steep climbs until reaching the vicinity of the SIC Rio Sicaderba, where a restored old railway station marks the end of the path.

From Villagrande Station to Seleni Woods

This is also a challenging stage that requires good physical preparation.

From the very first steps, you begin to gain altitude, and the landscape gradually opens up to splendid views of the Gennargentu, which expand towards the Tacchi d’Ogliastra area and Gairo Taquisara, even allowing glimpses of parts of the route crossing those lands.

After passing Punta Preda ’e Aria heading towards Monte Armidda, your gaze reaches the sea, which on the horizon blends with the sky. Along the way, the scent of thyme —which in this part of Ogliastra is called armidda, from which the mountain’s name derives — accompanies your steps in a delicate but persistent way.

The trail winds through planted pine forestsand more barren areas lacking vegetation. The alternation between shaded sections, which offer relief, and stretches more exposed to the sun makes the route demanding, especially in the hotter months: in spring and summer, it is highly recommended to bring a hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water. Reaching the stage endpoint requires one last effort: a steep climb concludes the hike. But once at the top, the effort is richly rewarded by the opportunity to immerse yourself in the historical and cultural aspects of the territory. The forest is home to an important archaeological area, well preserved and rich in evidence of notable value, which can be visited via the first accessible path in Sardinia (C 104 A - Àndala Segura)  https://www.sardegnasentieri.it/sentiero/andala-segura-sentiero-accessi….

At an altitude of almost 500 meters lies the village of Elini, the smallest in Ogliastra, with a population of about 600. Places to visit include the Parish Church of San Gavino Martire, Carmine Park accessible via trail T-123 of the R.E.S., the old station, and the murals.