Top 5 Things to Do in Ogliastra

With its crystal-clear sea, fine sand or pebble beaches, wild mountains, deep gorges and distinctive limestone plateaus ('tacchi'), Ogliastra is a land of contrasts. Known as a land of longevity (discover the Ogliastra Blue Zone), it offers a wide range of diverse experiences just a few kilometres apart. Here are five you simply can't miss.

In the Baunei region, the mountains plunge into the sea along 40 kilometres of pristine coastline. The most famous coves include Cala Mariolu (known in Sardinian as 'Ispuligidenie', meaning 'snow fleas'), Cala Sisine, Piscine di Venere, Cala Biriala, Cala Luna, and Cala Goloritzè.

• By land: most can be reached via hiking trails, some of which are not too strenuous.
• By sea: by inflatable dinghy, larger tour boat, or a private tour like Luuxya Charter, departing from Santa Maria Navarrese. See all boat trips in Ogliastra.

Good to know: Access to some coves is limited and requires booking in advance.

'Gorropu' means 'gorge' or 'ravine'. The canyon, in the heart of the Supramonte mountains, marks the natural border between Orgosolo and Urzulei and was carved out by the Rio Flumineddu.

• Length: 1.5 kilometres.
• Depth: up to 500 metres.
• Width at the bottom: as narrow as 4-5 metres in some places.

There are several trails of varying difficulty, from easy to challenging: choose the one that best suits your experience level.

Sardinia's Trenino Verde (Little Green Train), which has been running for about 130 years, travels through inland villages and landscapes, covering 438 kilometres across 5 routes on the island. In Ogliastra, the Arbatax–Gairo line connects the sea to the mountains, starting from Arbatax.

Good to know: Timetables and active routes change every year, so be sure to check the official website before planning your trip.

In the area of Villagrande Strisaili, near the Sothai waterfalls, the Bau Mela pools are a series of small waterfalls and ponds carved into the granite by the stream of the same name, surrounded by junipers, asphodels, and Mediterranean scrub. They are reached by a journey through the mountains.

Good to know: These pools have become very popular in recent years, so it's best to arrive early in the summer.

Standing at 1,293 metres high in the territory of Gairo Sant'Elena, Perda 'e Liana is the tallest of Ogliastra's limestone plateaus, known as 'tacchi'. It is a Jurassic rock formation, shaped by erosion and declared a Natural Monument in 1993. According to local legend, this was the location of the gateway to Hell, where those seeking wealth could summon evil creatures at the price of their soul.