Getting there
- Flights to Olbia (SS) (OLB) 95 km from the start
Treks / Italy (Sardinia)
Selvaggio Blu
Italy (Sardinia) · Nearest city: Cagliari (also Olbia)
TypeMulti-day trek
Days4–6
Distance≈ 45 km
Climbingvaries
Highest point800 m
Often called Italy's toughest trek: a wild coastal route along the cliffs of the Gulf of Orosei, with scrambling and abseils.
Fitness
Very hard
Best seasonApril to June, September to October
Watch out: No marked path in places, no water sources and short abseils. Most people go with a guide.
Why people choose it
It's considered Italy's hardest trek, for experienced hikers who want wild, empty coastline and real adventure.
What makes it different
- Short abseils and climbing moves
- No marked path in places
- Turquoise coves of the Gulf of Orosei
Before you go
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Phone and data
Phone plans from the EU and EEA roam here at home prices. Coming from the US, UK or elsewhere? A Europe data eSIM is usually far cheaper than roaming.
Expect long stretches with no signal on the trail. Download offline maps and our GPX before you start.
Insurance that covers this trek
Most travel insurance includes hiking at this height. Check that hiking is listed and that medical evacuation is covered.
Rescue is not the same as evacuation. Travel insurance usually pays to fly you to hospital, but not always for the search and rescue itself. Read the policy's "search and rescue" section, or join an Alpine club: membership of the Austrian Alpenverein (it has an English-speaking UK section) includes rescue cover of up to €25,000.
True Traveller sells only to UK and EEA residents. Always check the altitude limit and your country of residence in the policy wording. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.
Camping and where to sleep
Rules vary by region and park. Bivouacs are often tolerated high in the mountains for one night; camping in valleys and parks is usually restricted.
Rules change and differ between parks. Check with the local park or tourist office before you pitch a tent.
Route map
Map layers load on the live site. Use the overview below meanwhile.
Trail from OpenStreetMap (36.2 km) Route variant Start / finish Stop on the way Nearest city
Switch between Topo, Satellite and Street layers with the layer button, and turn on the marked hiking trails overlay. The trail line is the OpenStreetMap hiking route and may differ from the variant you choose. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.
Stops: Baunei → Cala Goloritzé → Cala Gonone
Simple overview map
Step by step
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Months before
Plan and book
- Consider a local guide. Route finding is difficult without one.
- Best time to go: April to June, September to October.
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6–12 weeks before
Train and test your gear
- Take the readiness quiz to see how many weeks of training you need.
- Break in your boots and train with the pack you'll carry.
- Tick off the packing list to see what you still need.
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Getting there
Travel to the start
- Most people start from Cagliari.
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On the trail
Walk it
- Start early each day, so you arrive before the afternoon weather and the rush for beds.
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The finish
Get home
- It's a one-way route, so plan your transport back from the finish in advance.
How the season changes things
Best time: April to June, September to October
March to May
Spring
The best time for most people: green hills, wildflowers and comfortable temperatures.
Bring
- Light layers
- Sun hat
- A light rain jacket for showers
June to August
Summer
Hot, often above 30°C, with little shade. Start at dawn and rest in the afternoon. Fire risk can close paths.
Bring
- 2–3 litres of water
- Sun hat and long sleeves
- Electrolytes
September to November
Autumn
Warm sea and settled weather in early autumn, with the first storms arriving later.
Bring
- Rain jacket from October
- Light layers
- Headlamp as days shorten
Be ready for
Scrambling
You'll use your hands on steep rock. Sticky-soled boots help, and it's no place for a big, top-heavy pack.
Little water
Water sources are few and far between. Carry at least 2–3 litres and a filter for any sources you find.
Heat
Start at dawn, rest in the shade at midday, and carry more water than you think. Electrolytes help.
What you'll see
5 photos taken on and around the route by Wikimedia Commons photographers. Tap one to see it bigger.
Gear for the Selvaggio Blu
Photo credits: Cala Coloritze vom Land by Yesuitus2001, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons; Baunei by Yesuitus2001, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons; Cala Goloritzè, Parco nazionale del Golfo di Orosei e del Gennargentu, Dorgali NU, Sardinia, Italy - panoramio by trolvag, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Dorgali - Lago Cedrino by Gianni Careddu, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Baunei - panoramio by Patrick Nouhailler's…, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos resized for the web. Figures are approximate and vary with the variant you choose.
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