Northern Sardinia is famous for its beaches, but half an hour inland you find almost empty trails, cork oak woods and hills dotted with prehistoric towers. These are the paths we have always known and now walk with our guests. Here are five, from the easiest to the hardest.
When to go
The best seasons for hiking inland are spring, from March to June, and autumn, from September to November. Days are mild, colours change from week to week and you will meet hardly anyone on the trails. In summer you can still walk, but start at dawn and choose short or shaded routes. Clear winter days bring very long views.
1. Donnigheddu, Hidden Treasures
Pattada · 6 km · easy. A loop through ancient cork oaks and old mule tracks, past the marks left by generations of shepherds: dry stone walls, stone shelters, pens. Ideal for families with children used to walking. See the hike.
2. The Secret of Sa Mandra Manna
Tula · 10 km · easy. Long but almost flat, with about 150 metres of climbing. The route follows the shores of Lake Coghinas to the archaeological site of Sa Mandra Manna, with its Nuragic remains. See the hike.
3. Monte Santu
Siligo / Ardara · 8 km · moderate. A loop with about 500 metres of climbing up one of the most recognisable hills in Logudoro, a flat-topped mountain we see every evening from the farm's olive groves. From the top you look over the whole valley. See the hike.
4. The Breath of Mount Lerron
Pattada, Mount Lerno · 8 km · moderate. A walk through a mountain landscape of woods, clearings and rock. With a little luck and some silence you may see deer, mouflon and golden eagles. For nature lovers who are in no hurry. See the hike.
5. Olomene Castle and the Ghost Village
Pattada, Cugadu · 8 km · hard. Starting from the ruins of the abandoned village of Cugadu, the trail climbs to the hilltop nuraghe of Su Casteddu de Olomene and its 360-degree view. About seven hours in all, for fit hikers. See the hike.
Curious about the towers you will see on the way? Read our guide to nuraghe, domus de janas and giants' tombs.
Away from the sea the pace slows: you can walk for hours and meet no one but sheep and wind.
What to bring
- Hiking shoes with a good sole: trails are often stony.
- At least 1.5 litres of water per person, more in the warm months.
- A hat and sunscreen, in spring and autumn too.
- A warm layer for the summits and winter mornings.
Why go with a guide
Many of these trails are not waymarked and cross private land and pastures. With us you will not get lost, you know where you are allowed to go and you hear the stories the landscape cannot tell on its own. All the hikes are on our Experiences page, and after a day on foot you can rest at our farm stay among the olive trees.
