The Supramonte

Hotel Gorropu is situated in a vast limestone plateau where you can rediscover lost feelings.

Sounds, noises, smells, and unique colours around a strip of land in central and eastern Sardinia, extending from the slopes of The Gennargentu to the Gulf of Orosei, whose mountains include the municipalities of Oliena, Orgosolo, Dorgali, Urzulei and Baunei.

This mountain range offers lovely scenery, marked by deep canyons and wild gorges that extend up to the sea.

The environment is characterised by luxuriant vegetation where you can find countless endemic floral and shrubby species, spectacular junipers and densely populated forests of holm oaks.

This area is home to mouflons, wild boar, dormice, foxes, martens and eagles.

The small human presence is well-integrated into the landscape, proven by the wooden huts, typical traditional buildings used as shepherds’ houses and their fences that housed livestock (usually goats).

An interesting spectacle is the evidence of the prehistoric people: nuraghi (tower-fortresses) and villages, the tombs of giants and caves used as real dwellings. Nowadays, this rugged and wild area is rediscovering itself, becoming more and more cherished and promoting a new form of tourism.

Below are 5 hiking routes among the many accessible, all starting and returning to Ghenn’e Silana, crossing over the highest point of the S.S. (state highway) 125 Orientale Sarda, considered the heart of the 5 Supramonte mountains.

Urzulei Supreamonte- Gola di Gorropu

The foot trail that goes to Gola di Gorropu begins on the 183rd km of the Orientale Sarda road, the S.S. 125, at Ghenna’e Silana. It is considered the deepest canyon in Europe with its high cliffs of over 450 m. It is one of the most evocative and wildly majestic areas in Sardinia, where the force of water erosion created some true natural works of art: amphitheatres, pools, narrow passages, siphons and tunnels. A magic place inhabited by very rare and exceptionally beautiful floral species of huge botanical interest.

An easily accessible well-trodden path will, in less than two hours, lead you tothe entrance to the Gola di Gorropu, from where you can begin your voyage inside the canyon which will take about an hour before heading back.
There are various solutions for
the way back. The best ones are: to go back on foot to Genna’e Silana directly to the hotel where you will arrive after about 3 hours uphill with a significant rise of about 30%.

Or you can go back on an off-road vehicle. This would take about 1 hour from “Su Monte Orrubiu” near the canyon.

Supramonte di Baunei- Cala Goloritzè

Departing by car from Ghenn’e Silana take the s.s. 125 Orientale Sarda towards Baunei. Once you reach the residential centre of the village, take a secondary road towards the “Golgo” plateau until you reach the “su Porteddu” area. Here you will find a large carpark . Next, take the path on foot that winds around Baccu Goloritzè, the route to the beach takes around an hour and a half with considerable differences in altitude.

Cala Goloritzè is one of the many enchanting inlets in the Golfo di Orosei, recognisable by its characteristic natural arc around the sea and by the Aguglia which has been declared a Natural Regional Monument and is a top goal for climbers.

One of its characteristic features is the presence of underwater freshwater sources, further testimony to the karst rocks below. To return, go back along the same route.

The Supramonte of Dorgali – Tiscali

Departing from Ghenn’e Silana by car, take the s.s. 125 Orientale Sarda towards Dorgali. Once you reach the residential centre of the village, turn left to drive down the wide “Oddoene” valley, always following the signs for Tiscali. Once you arrive in the “Ponte S’abba Arva” area, park in one of the many spaces at the side of the road.

From here take the path on foot to Tiscali along the passage called “S’iscala ‘e Surtana” . You will arrive at the destination after around an hour and a half, the path is well-marked.

To return, go back along the same route.

Tiscali is the name of the basin at the top of the mountain of the same name, famous for the contemporary presence of a Nuragic village and several examples of centuries-old terebinth (typical plant across the whole Supramonte) whose growth is favoured by this particular microclimate.

Alternative: walking from Ghenn’e Silana, after reaching the mouth of the Gola di Gorropu, continue along a path towards the Oddoene valley to reach the same “Ponte S’abba Arva” area from which you can reach Tiscali by following the directions above.

Supramonte di Oliena – Lanaitto

Depart from Ghenn’e Silana by car along the s.s. 125 Orientale Sarda towards Dorgali, travel a few kilometres out of the village, then turn towards Oliena on the left following the directions for the “Su Gologone” springs which are characterised by crystal clear water which comes from the mountain through a deep cavity in the rock.

Here you can take a break for a few minutes to look at the karst rock phenomenon and the short distance to travel. Continue to the Lanaitto valley, enclosed by tall extraordinary mountains like a treasure chest containing jewels; from here several paths fork off which are all well signposted among which we suggest a visit to the Nuragic village of “Sa sedda e sos Carroz,” an extremely interesting legacy of the past which testifies to Nuragic civilisation’s great building and architectural feats.

As well as a visit to the “Corbeddu” grotto which is very famous for its continual important archeological finds.

To return, go back the way you came.

Supramonte di Orgosolo – Nuraghe Mereu

An absolutely beautiful bastion of the Nuragic era that stands out intimidatingly from the forest and which faces the great amphitheatre of the Gulf of Gorropu.

Nearby you can go through the “Sas Baddes” forest, an extraordinary primal oak wood which is one of the last remaining on the entire European continent.

To arrive at these places departing from Ghenn’e Silana, take the s.s. 125 Orientale Sarda to the crossroads at “Ghenn’e Rugge.”

Turn right to take a road with a panoramic view perched along the Gruthas mount which constitutes the access to the Urzulei Supramonte and which allows you to enjoy an unmissable panoramic view of the Urzulei residential area and the Ogliastra valley.

Taking an unpaved road towards Gorropu, follow these directions until you reach the end of the road accessible off-road and then go along the path on foot towards “Sa giuntura” or the mouth of the Gulf of Gorropu.

From this point, instead of venturing into the canyon, take the path signposted on the left and climb in the direction of “Nuraghe Mereu”, in the vicinity of which there is another Nuragic fortress: the nuraghe of “Prettu Tortu” from the summit of which there is a spectacular view of the surrounding gorges.

Having seen the path which is remarkable in terms of distance, go back along the same path to return until you reach the end of the road, therefore walking back the way you came. It will be worth it for the unique satisfaction of having been able to enjoy enchanting places found nowhere else on earth.