7-day Selvaggio Blu hike in Sardinia (group)

Our meeting is usually scheduled between 6 and 7 PM at Albergo Santa Maria. After dinner, we'll go through the trip briefing and check the gear together.

After breakfast, we leave the hotel and board a 4×4 vehicle for a 1.5-hour transfer to Margine, in the heart of the Supramonte of Baunei. Today’s hike is mostly downhill. The trail starts off wide, gradually becoming narrower as we descend. One of the key highlights is S’Istrada Longa, a spectacular ledge trail that becomes very narrow in places. In the most exposed sections, safety is ensured with the use of fixed ropes attached to bolts. Once we reach the valley floor, we continue along the final stretch of a dirt road to Plan’e Murta, then hike about 20 more minutes downhill to arrive at Cala Sisine, where we can enjoy our first refreshing swim in the crystal-clear sea. Total hiking time: approximately 6 hours. Overnight at “Su Coile”, a cozy spot near the beach, where we’ll be treated to a typical dinner (usually seafood, with meat available upon request).

This is where the real adventure begins. For those familiar with the classic Selvaggio Blu, we pick up exactly where that journey ended — right after the final rappel. We start with a 250-meter ascent, reaching a stunning panoramic spot where we gear up. The trail follows an old gravel road that narrows into a ledge, leading to a short abseil and the first via ferrata section. The scenery is otherworldly, including a cave filled with bright orange sand, reminiscent of Mars. The most technical part comes soon after: a 30-meter traverse across a sheer yellow wall, aided by a fixed cable — no handholds, just exposure. From here, we tackle more cable-protected sections before reaching a 35-meter abseil, followed by one of the trek’s highlights: a dramatic 55-meter overhanging descent. After a scenic picnic break, we continue across the Plummare landslide and into the shady Oronnoro forest, before wrapping up the day with a spectacular 45-meter rappel down to Cala Biriala. Approx. 6 hours of hiking.

Another unforgettable stage begins. From the trees above Cala Biriala, we head toward the Biriala staircase, then veer off the main trail to a hidden spot where a 30-meter rappel drops us into a secret forest just above the sea. We traverse through this wild terrain on faint footpaths, with some light scrambling, and climb up an old wooden ladder (secured by rope) to rejoin the classic Selvaggio Blu route. From there, the trail is rocky and scenic, gradually narrowing as we approach Monte Urele. A dramatic descent follows, featuring 7 rappels, including a stunning traverse through an underground cave. The final stretch includes a short but technical rope-assisted passage above sea level, leading us to the majestic Grotta del Fico.

We kick off the day with a full-body wake-up: just steps from the Grotta del Fico, we clip into a rustic Sardinian via ferrata and climb 25 meters of steep iron steps into the forest. This stage is long and varied, occasionally overlapping with the classic Selvaggio Blu. We’ll face an exposed staircase, a technical rock wall beneath the Five Star Cave, and a beautiful trail through the forest leading to a scenic rock porthole we pass through. Ahead lies the dramatic wall of Punta Mudaloru. A narrow charcoal path brings us to the base of a challenging traverse featuring two juniper logs fixed to a sheer dihedral, and shortly after, we enter the famous horizontal crack, where we must crawl through, pushing our backpack ahead while secured by a rope. The journey continues across the wild Ispuligi forest, reaching a panoramic ledge and the remote shepherds’ path of Su Fronte de As Postas, leading us above Cala Mariolu. From there, we descend an exposed ledge and complete two final rappels, the last being nearly 60 meters, landing just steps from the beach’s iconic white stones. Approx. 7–8 hours of hiking and climbing.

Our last day on the Selvaggio Blu Extreme begins with a scenic uphill trail from Cala Mariolu, soon connecting with the Su Ledere Goloritzé route, equipped by Marcello Cominetti and the Explorando Supramonte team in 2014. The path winds through the forest, tracing the remnants of an old gravel track to the top of the Goloritzé via ferrata. We descend carefully along the steel cable, then follow a rough trail across three steep landslides, using fixed ropes where needed. Finally, we arrive at the striking white slab just above the turquoise waters of Cala Goloritzé—a well-earned reward, perfect for a refreshing swim and some rest. For climbers looking to finish in style, there's the option to scale the iconic Guglia di Goloritzé. The route "Easy Gymnopédie" (6b+), often called Italy’s hardest “normal” route, offers a thrilling 2–3 hour climb with stunning views. This ascent can be arranged with an earlier start from Mariolu. We return by dinghy to Santa Maria Navarrese, where a celebratory dinner and a hotel night await.

After a delicious breakfast, we will head to the airport. But before saying goodbye, we will prepare our next journey together!