The Mine of Montevecchio

Montevecchio was a silver-bearing and zinc mine and worked actively between 1853 and 1991. It was one of the most important mine plants and industrial areas in Italy and even in Europe. Nowadays, we can still admire some ruins of this glorious legacy if we drive from Guspini to Montevecchio and then we go on driving along the bumpy road joining Montevecchio to Ingurtosu and Piscinasbeach.

INSIDE OGLIASTRA

Nestled between Nuoro and Cagliari, the much smaller province of Ogliastra boasts some of the island’s most spectacular scenery. Inland, it has mountains with unspoilt valleys, silent woods and windswept rock faces, while the coastal stretches become increasingly dramatic the nearer you get to the Golfo di Orosei.

For many Sardinians, it is considered the most beautiful part of Sardinia; fascinating and primitive, historical and ancestral, a paradise for trekkers and with pristine beaches for sun worshippers. It is the land of centenarians.

For serious hikers, the Selvaggio Blu is the stuff of myth: an epic seven-day, 45km trek along the Golfo di Orosei’s wild and imperious coastline, traversing thickly wooded ravines and taking in bizarre limestone formations, caves and staggeringly sheer cliffs.

Both the scenery and the walking are breathtaking (in every sense of the word!) on what is often hailed as Italy’s toughest trek. A guide is recommended as the trail is not well signposted and there’s no water en route (guides can arrange for it to be dropped off by boat).

For the non trekking enthusiasts there is the option of a boat trip, as these beaches are accessible only by boat or hiking along the trails. Intimidating limestone cliffs plunge headlong into the sea which comes ashore along pretty beaches, coves and grottoes. With an ever-changing palette of sand, rocks, pebbles, seashells and crystal-clear water, the unfathomable forces of nature have conspired to create a sublime taste of paradise. The white limestone beaches of Cala Biriola, Goloritzè or Cala Luna, considered the most beautiful
beaches of Sardinia, will leave the visitor in awe.

Cala Mariolu is arguably one of the most sublime spots on the coast. The water that laps these beaches ranges from a kind of transparent white at water’s edge through every shade of light and sky blue and on to a deep purplish hue. The peace and tranquility of the hills of Cardedu and its beaches, virgin to mass tourism, are ideal for those seeking an unspoiled and unique landscape.

Do not miss the Golgo plateau, 20 km from the village of Baunei, the starting point for many excursions and a place rich in historical and natural monuments, as S'Isterru, a karst pit 295 metres deep, one of the deepest in Europe with very important cave fauna.

For archaeology lovers, there is, as well as the many nuraghis in the area, the Serbissi in Osini, the Monte Arista Domus de Janas in Cardedu or the Tomb of Giants in Triei to whet the appetite.

Here, everything has remained unchanged, pure and unspoiled. Time would appear to have stopped in Ogliastra including for its inhabitants. In fact, this area boasts several firsts in human longevity: a family of nine children all still alive with a combined age of 828 and for an entire country that has entered the Guinness Book of World Records 2014.

It is Villagrande Strisaili , the village with the highest percentage of centenarian men in the world. If you ask the inhabitants the secret of this longevity you will get different answers: the air, the outdoors, the food, the wine or… God. Several studies have confirmed that a genetic factor, healthy food, the absence of stress , the good air, the frequency of human contact , play an important factor, as well as wine Cannonau , which has a percentage of polyphenols, substances with high antioxidant content, crucial to the fight against cholesterol and atherosclerosis, between 5 and 10 times higher than the Australian, South African and American wines.

It is a land that is good for tourists who can discover nature and flavours long since forgotten elsewhere.
" The Ogliastra will lengthen your life " : It is how the province was presented to the International Tourism Exchange in Milan and, for once, is not just a slogan. http://www.insidesardinia.com/en/insidecalamariolu.html

OGLIASTRA-SARDINIA

Nestled between Nuoro and Cagliari, the much smaller province of Ogliastra boasts some of the island’s most spectacular scenery. Inland, it has mountains with unspoilt valleys, silent woods and windswept rock faces, while the coastal stretches become increasingly dramatic the nearer you get to the Golfo di Orosei.

For many Sardinians, it is considered the most beautiful part of Sardinia; fascinating and primitive, historical and ancestral, a paradise for trekkers and with pristine beaches for sun worshippers. It is the land of centenarians.

For serious hikers, the Selvaggio Blu is the stuff of myth: an epic seven-day, 45km trek along the Golfo di Orosei’s wild and imperious coastline, traversing thickly wooded ravines and taking in bizarre limestone formations, caves and staggeringly sheer cliffs.

Both the scenery and the walking are breathtaking (in every sense of the word!) on what is often hailed as Italy’s toughest trek. A guide is recommended as the trail is not well signposted and there’s no water en route (guides can arrange for it to be dropped off by boat).

For the non trekking enthusiasts there is the option of a boat trip, as these beaches are accessible only by boat or hiking along the trails. Intimidating limestone cliffs plunge headlong into the sea which comes ashore along pretty beaches, coves and grottoes. With an ever-changing palette of sand, rocks, pebbles, seashells and crystal-clear water, the unfathomable forces of nature have conspired to create a sublime taste of paradise. The white limestone beaches of Cala Biriola, Goloritzè or Cala Luna, considered the most beautiful
beaches of Sardinia, will leave the visitor in awe.

Cala Mariolu is arguably one of the most sublime spots on the coast. The water that laps these beaches ranges from a kind of transparent white at water’s edge through every shade of light and sky blue and on to a deep purplish hue. The peace and tranquility of the hills of Cardedu and its beaches, virgin to mass tourism, are ideal for those seeking an unspoiled and unique landscape.

Do not miss the Golgo plateau, 20 km from the village of Baunei, the starting point for many excursions and a place rich in historical and natural monuments, as S'Isterru, a karst pit 295 metres deep, one of the deepest in Europe with very important cave fauna.

For archaeology lovers, there is, as well as the many nuraghis in the area, the Serbissi in Osini, the Monte Arista Domus de Janas in Cardedu or the Tomb of Giants in Triei to whet the appetite.

Here, everything has remained unchanged, pure and unspoiled. Time would appear to have stopped in Ogliastra including for its inhabitants. In fact, this area boasts several firsts in human longevity: a family of nine children all still alive with a combined age of 828 and for an entire country that has entered the Guinness Book of World Records 2014.

It is Villagrande Strisaili , the village with the highest percentage of centenarian men in the world. If you ask the inhabitants the secret of this longevity you will get different answers: the air, the outdoors, the food, the wine or… God. Several studies have confirmed that a genetic factor, healthy food, the absence of stress , the good air, the frequency of human contact , play an important factor, as well as wine Cannonau , which has a percentage of polyphenols, substances with high antioxidant content, crucial to the fight against cholesterol and atherosclerosis, between 5 and 10 times higher than the Australian, South African and American wines.

It is a land that is good for tourists who can discover nature and flavours long since forgotten elsewhere.
" The Ogliastra will lengthen your life " : It is how the province was presented to the International Tourism Exchange in Milan and, for once, is not just a slogan.

1. Description tours from 3 to 5 days

1st DAY

Morning: Panoramic photo stop in the most charming coast of Pedra Longa
Afternoon: Visit to the village of Santa Maria Navarrese, the ancient olive groves and relaxing on the beach.

2nd DAY

Boat Trip Gulf of Orosei

3hd DAY

Morning: Relaxing on the beach in the beautiful Lido di Orri
Afternoon: Visit to the cellars and tasting Cannonau

Optional

4th DAY

Morning: The natural monument La Scala di San Giovanni and the Nuraghe Serbissi in Osini
Afternoon: Gairlo Vecchia, a ghost town

5th DAY

Beach Coccorocci
The Domus de Janas Monte Arista Cardedu.

Sardinia waterfalls

Villacidro, "Il paese d'ombre" (the village of shadows) of Giuseppe Dessi, one of Sardinia’s most famous writers, is an área rich in legends and tales. In this mountain village, surrounded by olive and citrus groves and a beautiful pine forest but whose greatest resources are the oak forests and wild and unspoiled nature. The Villacidro mountains are a popular destination for hikers and outdoor lovers who are attracted by breathtaking views, deep canyons, majestic waterfalls and paths marked by shepherds and charcoal burners, who have inhabited these places for hundreds of years. The area of the national forest Monti Mannu is crossed also by many trails used for mountain bike races and triathlons both national and international. From this forest you can reach the heights of Monte Linas, which is the highest point of southern Sardinia (1236 m). Also, in these mountains there are valuable endemic species, including the montelinasanum Helichrysum, growing among the rocks which are covered with small white flowers in spring. In terms of wildlife there is the golden eagle, the Sardinian deer, the peregrine falcon, the wild boar and the marten. The Forest of Monti Mannu has rich mineral resources as evidenced by the Canale Serci mine, a very important and unique tin ore deposit of Sardinia, exploited during the Bronze Age by prehistoric people who produced the bronze from the pond and copper. Not far from Canale Serci is the prehistoric village of Matzanni where you can visit three sacred wells and a Punic temple built with large blocks of limestone in an elevated position so you can enjoy impressive views; the Gulf of Cagliari, the island of St. Peter, the Gennargentu mountains and the Campidano plain. The park of San Sisinnio is also interesting; it is home to majestic olive trees around the country church of San Sisinnio that are a thousand years old. One of the most important resources of Villacidro is olive oil, which Sardinia has been promoting recently, offering wine tasting tours and dedicated museums. The awards won by numerous local oils confirm their excellent quality. The Italian certification DOP (protected designation origin) is assigned only to certain limited areas in other parts of Italy but in Sardinia it is open to the entire production of the island Hiking Piscina Irgas waterfall and Villacidro details The hike runs along the paths of the charcoal burners and through a beautiful oak forest, about 15 km from Villacidro . After skirting the Rio Cannisoni river, along a steep climb followed by a short descent you will get to the Rio Oridda river which you’ll follow for a few hundred metres to reach the foot of the waterfall. The path crosses one of the wildest forests in Sardinia where you can forget the din of the city and meet beautiful specimens of deer that inhabit these woods. The Piscina Irgas waterfalls is one of the most beautiful and spectacular waterfalls in Sardinia. Sitting and listening to the sound of water that plunges from a height of 35 m on a deep emerald pool, it is an experience not to be missed! 

Duration of tour: 3 hours

Level: easy (on request : mid-level option ) 

Transfer from Cagliari