Trek the Selvaggio Blu Trail in Sardinia
Tackle Italy's most challenging trek – a 40km trail with 4200m of vertical gain, five abseils and two via ferratas over five days
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with a expert, local, English-speaking mountain guide, plus a logistical support teamMountain hut & Wild camping
1 night in a mountain hut, 5 nights wild campingMeals
All breakfasts, lunches, and dinnersTransfers
Airport and local transfers, with jeeps to transport your overnight luggage and camping gearEquipment
All your climbing, via ferrata and abseiling kit, plus camping gear (excluding sleeping bag)Small Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 12 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
…
What's it like?
Test your limits with thrilling climbs, scrambles and abseils as you traverse vertical sea cliffs
Hike across impenetrable forests, teetering rock arches and narrow chasms on this wild and adventurous route
Take a dip in the crystal clear waters of Cala Sisine and Cala Golotizè, and cruise along Sardinia's dreamy coastline
Immerse yourself in the wilderness and camp under the stars, by beaches, caves or abandoned shepherds’ huts
Key Information
Day 1
Welcome to Sardinia!
Touch down in Cagliari Airport and transfer to Sardinia's eastern coast. Your home for the night is a secluded mountain hut on the Golgo plateau, tucked into the Mediterranean scrub and surrounded by wild mountains. Settle in and meet your mountain guide for a trip briefing and equipment check. Time permitting, you may be able to stretch your legs with a short hike around the grounds of the hut, visiting a typical sheepfold and an ancient Sardinian megalith, built by the Nuragic civilisation thousands of years ago. This evening you'll feast on mouthwatering Sardinian specialities, before getting some rest ahead of your epic adventure.
Day 2
Into the wild: Santa Maria Navarrese to Monte Ginnirco
Hiking
Fuel up on breakfast and take a short transfer to Santa Maria Navarrese. Your path from there will soon reach Pedra Longa, named after the imposing rocky spire emerging from the sea and the official start point of the Selvaggio Blu ('Wild Blue') trek. From here, you'll leave civilisation and fully immerse yourself in some of the wildest and most impenetrable landscapes Italy has to offer. Set off along a relatively easy panoramic trail and get the first glimpse of the glittering sea. Continue up the steep rocky ledge of Punta Giradili, one of Sardinia’s finest sea cliffs. From the top, the views over the Arbatax Gulf and the peaks of the Gennargentu hinterland will take your breath away. Set camp in the forest, and tuck into a bountiful Sardinian dinner.
Day 3
Vertical heights: Monte Ginnirico to the Genna 'e Mudrecu Ridge
Hiking
Grab breakfast and pack your picnic lunch before handing your overnight gear to the local team, who will transport it to the next camping spot for you. Test your stamina as you hike on the edge of a 200m cliff, high above the sea. Following the Capo Monte Santo crag, power through a steep, zig-zagging trail – eyes peeled for the rare Eleonora's Falcon – until you reach the beautiful limestone fjord of Portu Pedrosu. Jump into the water for a refreshing swim and enjoy your lunch break on such a magical camping spot. Follow the mule track through thick forests of Holly Oaks and Junipers, passing at the edge of high panoramic cliffs and by abandoned shepherd's huts. Reach the top of a panoramic ridge, where 4WDs will drop the luggage and you'll make camp. Enjoy another typical Sardinian dinner and a magical camping spot.
Day 4
To Su Porteddu via Goloritzè Cove
Hiking
Via Ferrata
Wake up early this morning to witness the sun rising from the sea. Lace up your boots and get ready for a day of easier climbs and via ferrata. Hike towards Punta Salinas, overlooking the Orosei Gulf – fringed by limestone cliffs. A steep descent will lead you to the famous crystal clear waters of Cala Goloritzè, a white stretch of beach overlooked by the iconic Punta Caroddi, a 128m rock needle which has become a mecca for international climbers. Spend a few hours at the beach to relax and swim in the crystal clear sea. Getack on a trail, but not for long – more wild terrain is looming behind the trees. Climb a section of scree and tackle a 30m via ferrata with spectacular views, continuing on until you reach the campsite Su Porteddu, where you'll camp for the night.
Day 5
An adventurous route to Bacu Padente
Hiking
Rise early and get ready to tackle the next exhilarating stage of the Selvaggio Blu. You'll cross some difficult terrain, which includes a section of abseiling (23m). It is, however, incredibly beautiful as you'll explore some of the hidden gems of Sardinia's east coast and experience its primordial beauty. You'll be traversing exposed passages with dizzying views over the emerald sea, glimpsing unforgettable views of limestone cliffs and white beaches. Tonight, you'll set camp near Su Padente Canyon and celebrate your efforts with a fantastic meal in the wilderness.
Day 6
Trek, climb and abseil to Cala Sisine
Hiking
Via Ferrata
The final push! Today's final stage will involve another demanding section as you traverse unforgettable wild scenery and mountaineering passages. You'll tackle four roped descents (from 25m to 45m), as well as a 40-metre section on a via ferrata. Your efforts will be repaid once you reach your final destination and the end point of the trek: the dreamy cove of Cala Sisine. Set by the rocky promontory of Punta Plummare, the beach is a top contender for one of the most beautiful beaches in Sardinia. Enjoy a celebratory dip in the crystal clear water, then toast your epic achievement with a farewell dinner at a nearby campsite, where you'll spend the night.
Day 7
Aaaand relax...
Boat Ride
Congratulations, you've completed the hardest trek in Italy and had one of the most unforgettable adventures of your lifetime. Spend the morning relaxing with a well-deserved lie in, or soothe your muscles with a reinvigorating swim at Cala Sisine. Explore the beach or just hang out before you embark on a 90-minute boat ride along the coast you just traversed by foot, passing pristine coves and secluded beaches. Your transfer will depart from Santa Maria Navarrese mid-afternoon, and will take you back to the airport in time for your evening flight home. Arrivederci!
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Cagliari Airport
13:30 on Day 1
Ends
Cagliari Airport
18:00 on Day 7
Transfers
A group airport transfer is included on Day 1 which will depart Cagliari Airport around 13:30. It will take just over two hours to reach the mountain hut located in the Altopiano del Golgo, halfway between Cagliari and Olbia. Your return transfer will arrive at Cagliari Airport at around 18:00 on Day 7, so you'll need to book flights departing from 20:00 onwards.
It will be difficult to use public transport to reach the start point of the trek independently if you chose to travel at different times or from/to Olbia, so we strongly recommend taking advantage of the set group transfers from/to Cagliari.
Private transfers can also be arranged on request – see Optional Extras for prices.
Travel options
There are regular direct flights to Cagliari from airports in London and Europe. Alternatively, you can also search for indirect flights via Rome or Milan – it’s often easier to search for two single flights (with connection in Milan or Rome) rather than a return.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 6
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 7
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Without doubt, meals will be a highlight of the adventure. The trek is fully sported by a fantastic local team who take care of all the food preparation, along with kit and luggage porterage. In the morning you'll enjoy a good breakfast which usually includes a choice of tea, coffee, milk, homemade cakes, bread, butter and local jams. You'll also be provided with a packed lunch before setting off for the hike, usually featuring freshly baked bread with a choice of cured meats and cheese, vegetables and fruit. Each evening at the camp, you are in for a treat with a range of delicious Sardinian specialities, including appetisers (cheese, cured meat and roasted vegetables), a main course (meat, pasta) and side dishes – the perfect way to refuel after a challenging day of activity. In addition, you'll be able to enjoy complimentary wine, liqueurs and sweets.
Vegetarians, Pescatarians, mild Gluten-free diets and Lactose-free diets can be catered for - please just request this on your passenger info form when you book. However 100% strictly Vegan, Nut-free or Coeliac diets (requiring separate cooking equipment to prevent cross-contamination) cannot be accommodated on this trip.
What is the accommodation like?
Altopiano del Golgo
You'll spend your first night at the welcoming and friendly mountain hut Rifugio Cooperative Goloritzé, the official base of the Selvaggio Blu trek. You'll be sleeping in small bungalows (usually accommodating 2-4 people) with shared bathrooms and showers. In the evening, you can relax and socialise with your fellow adventurers in the small bar and restaurant, which serves typical local specialities and delicious local wines.
Wild camping
For five nights of the trip you will sleep under the stars in twin-share tents in the Sardinian wilderness, far away from any sign of civilisation. All your camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, mattress, overnight luggage, cooking kit, water, etc.) will be transported by a local team using a 4x4, so you won't need to carry this with you on the trek, however you will be expected to pitch your own tent. Your local guide can assist where needed.
Upgrades
For solo travellers wanting their own personal space, you can request your own private tent for five nights (subject to availability). The solo upgrade is not available at the mountain hut due to limited capacity. See Optional Extras for prices.
This trip has been rated as Tough
A good level of fitness is required, as you'll be out for up to 10 hours a day in a difficult environment – moving over challenging terrain and ascending considerable heights. You must be confident walking on steep and very uneven terrain, scrambling and descending on scree. Having a head for heights and good balance is absolutely crucial, as you'll be traversing many narrow paths and exposed sections next to vertical drops. The route and terrain, therefore, requires great stamina, so previous trekking experience on difficult mountain terrain is preferable (although not essential). You'll be fully supported by a team of local guides who will take care of the equipment porterage for you, so you'll be hiking only with your daily backpack. You'll sleep five nights in the forest, away from any trace of civilisation or comfort, so an adventurous spirit and adaptability are crucial for the enjoyment of this unique experience.
You don’t have to know how to abseil. Your professional mountain guide will take care of all rope manoeuvres. You just have to relax and carefully follow their instructions. You also don’t have to be a trained climber, but you should have good balancing skills and be confident climbing easy sections of rock. The only essential requirement is that you are not overly afraid of heights, as along the trek you will often have to scramble on scree and leaning rock walls. More difficult climbing passages are equipped with fixed ropes and will require you to wear a harness and via ferrata kit (which will be provided by your host).
What if i need to skip an activity?
You would have to complete the daily hike to get to the final destination and camping spot, but if you wish to take a rest day and prefer to skip a stage of the trek, you can! Each day, a transfer will reach the group in the evening to deliver luggage and dinner, and another transfer in scheduled in the morning to bring breakfast and pick up your luggage again. After breakfast, you may decide jump on the 4x4 and get a lift to the mountain hut where you can take a day off at leisure. In the evening, you can then jump in the same vehicle and rejoin the group, continuing the trek the following day.
What will I need to carry?
You'll need to have a larger duffel bag suitable for all your belongings which will be transported for you to each camp spot, and then a small daysack to carry personal items during each day of hiking.
Due to safety reasons and challenging nature of the trek, the trip cannot run during the hottest summer months of July and August. From May to June and September to October the daytime temperatures in Sardinia range from 22–30°C and cool off to 13–18°C at night, making this the ideal season for hiking. Unseasonable weather is possible at any time of year, but your guide will be assessing the weather conditions daily and will plan the walking times, routes and schedules accordingly. Rain is uncommon, so you're sure to get a lot of sun.
Fabulous!
If you like adventures, and are fit enough for some steep, rocky climbs, then you’ll love this trip! Varied walking with stunning views, swimming, scrambling and abseiling were highlights, and lots of good food and wine. Ivan’s love for Sardinia and the mountains is infectious. Some of the camp spots were a bit busy with other groups, but logistics were impeccable. I’ve not eaten or laughed so much in a long time. Top tips: bring a pocket knife for lunch, some cash in case of a beer/soda stop, and if you’re with a super-fit group, don’t be afraid to walk at the front to slow the pace a little!