Highlights of Sardinia - Walking Holiday

Lively and vibrant, yet defiant and isolated, Sardinia is an island of beautiful beaches, turquoise sea, and fascinating rock formations. Known as the Stonehenge of the Mediterranean, this is also one of the famed Blue Zones where locals have one of the world's longest life expectancies. Researchers say the Sardinians put family first, celebrate their elders, walk every day, laugh with friends, and enjoy a glass of local red Cannonau wine.

The Sardinian port of Olbia is our meeting point and we travel to Luogosanto in the Sassari province. This is our inland mountain base for four nights and each day we visit a different area of the northern coast. La Maddalena Archipelago National Park on the northeast coast is a geo-marine protected area is known for its blue and green waters, pink beaches, and tiny islets. We spend another day exploring the coloured rock formations of Costa Rossa on the northwest Gallura coast.

Travelling via the remote Barbagia region, we visit the provincial capital of Nuoro, known as Sardinia’s Athens. Based for five nights at the beachside village of Cala Gonone, we walk to stunning coastal coves and use local boats to appreciate remote sections of the Orosei Gulf. Inland walks explore the Supramonte, a wild limestone dolomitic mountain chain rising up to 1463m. Part of Gennargentu National Park, this area includes forests of juniper, yew and holm oak; the karst spring of Su Gologone and the 400m limestone cliffs of Gorroppu Gorge, the ‘Grand Canyon of Europe’. Our tour ends back in Olbia where we reflect on the geographical diversity and proud history of this enchanting island.