Quiet in winter, Barisardo comes to life in the summer, during the festival “Insieme a Barisardo”, with a vast array of interesting events, from music and dancing to theatre and folklore, for the joy of both residents and tourists. The whole area of Ogliastra includes fine white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, cliffs which fall sheer to the sea, age-old woods and dry desert plains. Sailing along the wonderful coast it possible to admire some of the most beautiful bays of the Mediterranean: Cala Gonone, Cala Luna, Cala Goloritzè are nowadays very well-know destinations for tourism.
As a matter of fact the whole Orosei gulf has been appointed by the EU as SIC (Site of Communitarian Importance), awards given to sites characterised by the presence of important species of flora and fauna. One of the most famous and popular site is the Grotta del Bue Marino (Sea cow's cave), once shelter for the seals, today in danger of extinction. The species of animals are numerous and include vultures, predatory birds, moufflons and wild boars, mostly in the internal area. Arbatax is a small village quite close to the sea, with a nice port. Its name reminds to the Sarancens raids, quite frequent in the past.
Today Arbatax is an important tourist destination thanks to its beaches and its typical seafood. Tortoli' and Santa Maria Navarrese are two other important tourist sites. In particular, Santa Maria Navarrese shows an interesting church, dated back to the XI century. The legend tells that the Navarra Princess, victim of a shipwrecked coming back from the Holy Land, made contact with this land saving herself from death and ordered to build the church as sign of thanks. From the archaeological point of view, to be noted is the “holy area of Sa Perdalonga', near Barisardo.
The area includes one of the most important menhir of Sardinia, surrounded by rocks from where it was used to attend the ceremonies. Another important monument is the church of San Antonio in Orosei. The first structure is dated back around the XIII century and the tower near the church itself seems to confirm that date. The interior of church kept ancient frescoes, recently rehandled.
An excursion for nature-lovers amid gorges, crags and caves, searching for the remains of the ancient Nuragic civilisation, in a wild environment. A place- so different from the renowned beaches along the coast – the hinterland is furrowed with valleys and impervious canyons where shady evergreen forests grow.
The best way to discover the beauty and diversity of Ogliastra’s interior is on foot. Keen ramblers will not be disappointed by the island’s wide choice of hiking possibilities. What the mountains may lack in height, they make up for in the solitude that their untouched wilderness provides. There are few marked routes but many hiking outfits which offer guided excursions.
Most of the guides speak English or German as well as Italian and are not just experts on the route and region but also on the island’s flora and fauna. One of the most beautiful hiking areas is without doubt along the Supramonte massif, which runs from Nuoro to Baunei on the east coast.
Today, this area remains one of the most unpopulated and rugged areas in Europe. The narrow gorges, imposing chalk rocks, wide plateaus and hidden canyons run in an uninterrupted stretch of natural beauty. In Supramonte di Oliena you can explore the final retreat of the Stone Age Nuraghi people, who fled to a secret cave in Monte Tiscali.
In Supramonte di Baunei you can marvel at the Su Gologo tableland, the deep chalk cavity of the Voragine di Golgo and at the Gola su Gorrupu, Europe’s mightiest ravine. Only experienced hikers should attempt to take on the Supramonte without guidance. You should also double check that you have all the necessary equipment with you for your trip.
The green-peaked Gennargentu mountain range is a lot more timid in comparison to the Supramonte’s chalked supremacy. The mixed foliage forests of hilly Barbagia are almost interchangeable with Germany’s sub-alpine mountain range, except of course that they lack the hordes of tourists, efficiently marked routes and Bavarian watering holes.
At 1834 metres, the “Punta La Marmora' is the highest peak of the Gennargentu and in the whole of Sardinia. The view of the surrounding coastline from its pinnacle is breathtaking; only the island’s northern shores remain obscured by the Limbara Mountains near Tempio. The Gola di Gorrpou, one of Europe’s deepest canyons, is also to be found in the Gennargentu.
And if you are really lucky, you might even be able to snatch a peek at mufflons and golden eagles in the Gennargentu National Park. The Marmilla table-top mountain and the 'Giare' offer some nice and easy walking possibilities, also suitable for children. The flat-as-a-pancake plateau is rife with numerous animals such as wild horses and with its untouched natural beauty is ideal for family walks. One of the most isolated and less mapped-out hiking areas is the Sarrabas mountain range in south-eastern Sardinia.
The Monte Sette Fratelli Nature Park in the middle of the region, however, does have many picnic spots and well marked tracks. This is also one of the last few homes of the Sardinian deer. The diverse coastal areas are also well worth exploring per Pedes. The imposing cliffs of the Golf von Orosei, for example, are even more impressive when you’re standing right next to them. Fascinating itineraries for hikes or bicycle trips: special way to explore the landscape of Sardinia, without long walks, is a tour with the 'Trenino verde', the 'Green Train'.