Sardinia Hike - Coast to Coast

Meet your guides at 15:00 in the lobby of the Hotel Panorama in Olbia. Depart for a one-hour van transfer to Santa Teresa Gallura on the northern tip of the island. We check into our hotel, get comfortable and then meet up for an aperitivo. The guides will give you an overview of the week to come, followed by dinner together in the village. Overnight: 3-star Boutique Hotel Marinaro. Hotel and dinner included. 

After breakfast, a short transfer takes us to Capo Testa and the striking “Valley of the Moon.” Here, wind and time have sculpted massive granite rocks into extraordinary forms. Our hike winds past hidden coves where crystal-clear turquoise water contrasts beautifully with honey-colored stone and the deep green of Mediterranean scrub. Afterward, we continue to the medieval hilltown of Castelsardo for lunch, then travel on to the charming seaside city of Alghero. Encircled by ancient walls with rusted cannons still facing the sea, Alghero’s old town is a maze of cobblestone lanes leading to lively piazzas and elegant cafés. We end the day with dinner at a favorite local trattoria, where our hosts proudly serve fresh seafood paired with a velvety Vermentino di Gallura. The Hike: 5.2 km/3.2 mls. 252 metes/827 ft elevation gain and loss. Duration: about three hours. Overnight Alghero at the 4-star Hotel Catalunya or Hotel Domomea (or similar). Hotel, breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.

This morning we follow the coast for a wild, scenic hike high above the sea, where rugged cliffs and brilliant blue water stretch as far as the eye can see. The trail eventually descends to the wide sandy beach of Porto Ferro, perfect for a refreshing swim and a relaxed lunch overlooking the waves. Later, a short drive brings us back to Alghero, and you’ll have free time to explore its colorful streets and seaside pathways. Tonight, we enjoy dinner at a favorite spot known for inventive, flavorful Sardinian cuisine. Overnight  Alghero at the 4-star Hotel Catalunya (or similar). The Hike: 9.6 km/5.9 mi. Elevation gain 304 meters/997 ft, elevation loss 399 meters/1309 ft. Hotel, breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.

After breakfast, we set off south along one of the most scenic coastal roads on the island, eventually reaching the lovely town of Bosa. Pastel houses climb the hillside, balconies spill over with flowers, and medieval lanes twist toward the riverfront. We pause for a cappuccino, then board our kayaks for a gentle outing on the Temo River. We drift beneath a 16th-century stone bridge, glide past the old town, and continue into a quiet stretch rich in birds, reeds, and riverbank blooms—an easy and enjoyable paddle, perfect for beginners. After our time on the water, we have some free time in Bosa to enjoy lunch by the river or in town, then drive inland to visit Santu Antine, one of Sardinia’s most impressive nuraghe. Built as far back as 1900 B.C., these mysterious megalithic towers are unique to the island and still spark fascination today. We finish the day at “Su Gologone,” a welcoming 4-star retreat of whitewashed cottages surrounded by gardens bursting with hydrangea, bougainvillea, and prickly pear. Each room is individually decorated with colorful local textiles and artisan touches—an inviting place to relax and settle in. Overnight 4-star Su Gologone. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.

Transfer this morning to the trailhead, which leads us to the hidden ruins of the ancient village of Tíscali. Built inside a massive collapsed cave, natural walls protect it but open to the sun and fresh rainwater. It consists of two groups of dwellings inhabited between the 15th - 8th centuries BC. Its origins remain unclear today, as the building technique differs from that of other Nuragic sites. Besides the ruins of Tiscali, the hike offers expansive views over the rugged, rocky spine of the island. This afternoon, there is time to relax by the hotel pool this afternoon. Tonight, you will dine on the delicate filo-like flatbreads and hearty, savory tarts the village women have made for centuries. The Hike: 6.4 km/4 ml. Elevation gain 369 m/1210 ft. Elevation loss 340m/1115 ft. Dinner tonight on the terrace. Overnight 4-star Su Gologone. Hotel, breakfast, and dinner included.

A 50-minute drive takes us to the Genna Silana mountain pass for a rocky, wild hike down into the spectacular Gorropu gorge. After a long descent, we reach the crystal clear waters of the gorge. Natural rock pools invite you to soak your feet in the bracingly cold water, or you can take a full plunge if you’re brave enough! The white-gray rock of the gorge narrows to 5 meters (16 ft) wide between sheer rock walls that rise 500 meters (1,650 ft) high. You can choose to hike up the boulder-strewn gorge for as far as you like, but eventually you turn around to exit the gorge on an easy trail that follows the river. Eventually, we get to a point where we take a Jeep for an adventurous (and painless!) ride back up the Genna Silana pass. Keen hikers can also choose to ascend back to the pass. Afterward, a short drive takes us east to the seaside to the lively port village of Cala Gonone. Our hotel, the 4-star Costa Dorada hotel, is right on the waterfront, so you can relax with a cold drink on the terrace or walk 10 meters to the beach for a swim. Tonight is a fee night, so you can choose to dine at the hotel, or at one of the pizzerias or restaurants that line the shoreline. Overnight 4-star Costa Dorada Hotel in Cala Gonone.The Hike: variable length, 5,3 km down the valley 1h30’, about 2 km in the gorge, 1hr. Hotel, breakfast, and picnic lunch included. Dinner is not included.

Our final day is all about the sea: we begin with a two-hour coastal hike to Cala Luna, where we’ll stop for a swim and a tasty lunch. We finish off our tour with a boat trip to experience some of Sardinia’s most spectacular and isolated bays and beaches (weather permitting, of course). Alternatively, you can enjoy the afternoon exploring the coast by sea kayak (optional activity), or simply chill out at our hotel overlooking the lovely Cala Gonone beach. Overnight 4-star Costa Dorada Hotel in Cala Gonone. The Hike: 5.4 km/3.3 miles. Elevation gain 242 meters/794 ft, elevation loss 272 meters/892 ft. Hotel, breakfast, lunch and dinner included. 

We offer a 1-hour and 15-minute transfer to the Olbia airport, arriving around 10:30 a.m. If you need to leave earlier, we can arrange a taxi for you (at your expense). 

Breakfast included.

Please note: Some itinerary details may change depending on your tour departure date. Whenever we run a tour, we make discoveries. Sometimes they are good discoveries, like a wonderful new trattoria, and sometimes bad, like a trail has been washed away. Therefore, we sometimes change our itinerary to improve it, adding outstanding new elements or removing elements that no longer work. Rest assured, we always aim to provide you with the best possible experience. We will advise you of any changes to the original itinerary before departure.