text Giandomenico Mele
Sardegna’s loveliest trekking routes
Beautiful beaches, granitic rocks and Mediterranean scrub: the Coast’s top trekking trails
It is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Costa Smeralda® is the ideal destination for those who love going on trekking expeditions to explore nature’s colors and shapes. From autumn to spring, but also in summertime in the coolest hours of the day, walking along the Coast’s beaches and cliffs and through the Mediterranean scrub can be a fantastic and unforgettable experience.
Pevero Health TrailPevero Health Trail
There are a number of trails on Costa Smeralda® that allow hikers, but even those who wish to take an easy walk, to dive into the stunning landscapes of Sardinia. The Pevero Health Trail, for instance, is a 13-kilometer-long route created by Smeralda Holding with the collaboration of the Costa Smeralda Consortium and Pevero Golf Club. An easy walk which can be done on foot as well as by mountain bike. There are four starting points: Grande Pevero beach, Pevero Golf Club, Cala Liccia and Romazzino. This trail, which is well-indicated and complete with fitness stations, provides the perfect opportunity for a walk along an untouched promontory and, once you have reached the top of Mount Zoppu, where there is an Instagram point, to admire the 360 degree-view extending from the Maddalena archipelago to the Island of Tavolara, dotted with the “stazzi”, the typical buildings of the Gallura countryside and other rural establishments. There are two route options: the Energy trailand the Relax trail.
Pevero Health TrailThe Energy trail is about 7 kilometers long where one can alternate walking and exercises, complete with eight fitness stations equipped with workout equipment and tools. Each station features a multilingual totem which describes and illustrates the recommended exercises. The eight stations are named after native plants: Lavender, Rosemary, Cistus, Myrtle, Lentisk, Spanish Broom and Juniper- so as to highlight the Sardinian vegetation.
The Relax trail stretches for about another 7 kilometers and leads to the Coast’s old paths and dry-stone walls. From there you can also reach the statue of the Madonna dello Speronello on the cliff overlooking the Grande Pevero gulf, as a memento of the terrible flood that hit the town of Montalto di Castro. The trail also goes past Lu Rottu, a building dating back to the early 1900s, where wheat was handled, and the stazzo of Monte Zoppu which, with its stone walls, represents an interesting symbol of rural life in those days.
Pevero Health TrailBeaches and Mount Moro
Among Costa Smeralda®’s many routes is also the one that goes from the Cala di Volpe area to the Rena Bianca beach, through the beaches of Li Itriceddi, Liscia Ruja and Cala Petra Ruja, definitely the best-known one. A spectacular and easy trekking route winding through the coves ( a total of 7 kilometers and 3 hours of walking time), accessed through the 94 provincial road, about 800 meters after the intersection for Cala di Volpe, where you can pull over to the left and park where the road widens. A bit more challenging is the trekking route that starts from the center of Abbiadori and goes as far as the top of Monte Moro, above the village of Porto Cervo. This trail is 7 kilometers long as well, but the difference in height is 430 meters, and it takes a total of four hours of walking time.
Monte MoroA walk to the Capo Ferro lighthouse
In the Cala di Volpe, Romazzino and Porto Cervo areas, the Costa Smeralda Consortium has built elegant sidewalks connecting some of the Coast’s major sights. We highly recommend the walk to the promontory of Capo Ferro, to the north ofPorto Cervo,where you can admire the big white lighthouse dating back to 1858 and the famous red and white lamp built on the cliff. Follow the road signs from Porto Cervo Marina to Capo Ferro. When you reach the white lighthouse’s gate, you have to park the car in the small unsurfaced space and proceed on foot along a clear path which, once past the traffic lights remains and after a short walk, leads directly to the red and white lamp.
Santa Maria Trail - Costa Smeralda
Located in the beautiful Costa Smeralda, this trail offers an interesting combination of history, culture, and nature. The route starts from the picturesque village of Santa Maria, crossing Mediterranean scrub forests with junipers, olive trees, and myrtles. The difficulty of the trail is moderate, and the total duration of the hike is about 4-5 hours. Along the way, you can encounter ancient Nuragic ruins and historical settlements that tell the island’s millennia-old story. The trail ends near some beautiful hidden coves, perfect for resting before heading back.
Trekking in the Giara di Gesturi Park
This easy trek, suitable for families and beginners, winds through the Giara di Gesturi, a volcanic plateau that represents an oasis of biodiversity and natural beauty. The trail passes through meadows and forests, offering breathtaking views of southern Sardinia. One of the park's main attractions is the famous Giara horse, a breed of wild horses that roam free in this natural habitat. The trail takes about 6 hours, covering a total distance of 8 km.
Capo Caccia Natural Park Trail
Capo Caccia is one of the most scenic areas of Sardinia, and the best way to explore it is by walking the trail that runs through its Natural Park. This 6-7 km route, suitable for families and beginners, allows you to get close to the dramatic cliffs, sea caves, and diverse wildlife. The trail is relatively easy and offers incredible views of the Gulf of Alghero and its rocky coastline. Along the way, you can admire the sheer cliffs and Mediterranean scrub. One of the highlights is the famous Neptune's Grotto, one of the island’s most spectacular sea caves, which can be reached either by sea or via a long staircase.
Piscinas Dunes Trail, Costa Verde
In the Costa Verde area, you can't miss the Piscinas Dunes Trail, which takes you through some of the largest and most famous moving sand dunes in Europe. The trail is very easy and scenic, with a stunning view from the dunes. Walking along the banks of the Riu Piscinas river makes the experience even more magical. Along the path, you will also find remnants of the area’s mining past.
Baunei - Cala Goloritzè Trail
In the Ogliastra region, you can join one of the most famous treks on the island, which starts from Baunei and leads to the beach of Cala Goloritzè. The trail, which takes about 1.5 hours, is 3.6 km long and starts from the "Su Porteddu" area on the Golfo plateau. The hike begins with a steep ascent, before gently descending toward the sea along the Bacu Goloritzè path, which is easy to follow through large holm oaks, ancient animal shelters, and Mediterranean scrub. Once you reach your destination, there’s nothing better than a refreshing dip in the crystal-clear waters.
Cala Fuili - Cala Luna Trail
This beginner-friendly trail, approximately 8 km long, connects two of the most famous coves in the Cala Gonone area, on the eastern coast of Sardinia, in the Gulf of Orosei and Gennargentu National Park. The trail follows a panoramic path along the coast, through wild landscapes, cliffs, and Mediterranean scrub. Starting from Cala Fuili, the trail goes through the Mediterranean vegetation, passing by the Bue Marino Cave before reaching the magnificent setting of Cala Luna, where we recommend relaxing in its crystal-clear waters.