Located in the Gulf of Orosei, the Gennargentu National Park is, with its sublime setting between sea and mountain meadows, a paradise cherished by nature enthusiasts. Here's what you need to know.

The wild and mountainous territory of Sardaigne captivates thousands of visitors. To truly appreciate it, carve out a stop at Gennargentu during your Sardaigne trip—a magnificent 730 km² park brimming with natural treasures. It's a realm of vertical landscapes, crowned with cliffs and snow-capped peaks, where La Marmora stands as the highest point. It's the domain of golden eagles and hawks, soaring defiantly over humble shepherd villages. It's the entire soul and heritage of a mountain people—with the spirited verses of its poets, the creamy richness of its carapigna cheese, the intense and spicy aroma of its cannonau wine, and the colorful filigree jewelry. Gennargentu is a destination that blends the pleasures of the sea, ecotourism and cultural immersion.

The History of Gennargentu Park: A Fortunate Compromise Between Conservation and Economic Growth

Nestled within the eponymous Gennargentu mountain range, between beach and wild cliffs, the Gennargentu National Park is a popular tourist destination. The site's official protection in 1998 was not without disrupting the socio-economic life of local residents. Local opposition ran deep.

Indeed, several farmers inhabited the valleys and mountainous landscapes destined to be included within the future protected area. They voiced concerns about the opportunity costs of creating the park: suckling pigs, sheep, goat cheese, artisanal cured meats, honey, nougat and vineyards were their primary resources. Would abandoning pastureland inevitably lead to a collapse in income?

Yet on the other hand, they recognized the potential to develop tourism that could better exploit the abrupt and rebellious topography of the terrain and would also revitalize regional agri-food products.

In 2008, Italy and Sardaigne signed a new agreement providing for a more equitable sharing of tourism revenues collected by the protected area. Subsequently, the concerned local communities gave their blessing. Thus was born the Gennargentu National Park, cradled within the granite foothills of Supramonte, between the provinces of Nuoro and Ogliastra, and particularly prized by mountaineers, as it encompasses Sardaigne's highest peaks.

The Rich Biodiversity of Gennargentu Park

If you're fascinated by wildlife study and observation, don't hesitate to explore Gennargentu. This national park uniquely features both a marine and coastal zone as well as a terrestrial zone. Once, monk seals inhabited the limestone caves scattered along the waterfront. Over the past decade, this species has been classified as extinct, as have the lammergeier and black vulture.

Good news—the Gulf of Orosei is still frequented by dolphins, sperm whales and other cetaceans. Large raptors like the golden eagle, peregrine falcon, harrier and hawk take refuge in the high mountains. You'll need to enjoy trekking and climbing to spot them. Otherwise, you'll be consoled by observing deer, mouflon sheep and ibex grazing in the meadows of the understory, among maples and chestnuts. These small ungulates serve as prey for eagles and hawks. Nonetheless, passionate biologists will overlook these common creatures to focus on the rarest: the Sardinian tree frog, the Supramonte newt and the Sardinian newt, all three amphibians found nowhere else on the island.

Indeed, the plant kingdom is infinitely more interesting when considering endemicity. Consider Moris fescue, Gennargentu eyebright, Sardinian pine, Irish spurge and Sardinian columbine. Along streambanks, black alders form a vast forest corridor where visitors can wander freely. The park also encompasses the Montes State Forest, which shelters one of the Mediterranean's richest ecosystems of holm oak.

Visiting Gennargentu Natural Park

The park reveals itself as a superposition of remarkable landscapes, as though the sea, cliffs and trees conspired to create wonders. Visitors can enjoy a wide array of activities:

Rock Climbing

The Gennargentu zone can be called the "roof of Sardaigne," surrounded as it is by beautiful peaks, most exceeding a thousand meters: the highest summit, La Marmora, rises to 1,854 m, followed by Bruncu Spina, Punta Florisa and Punta Paolina. On the Supramonte side, the terrain is less jagged, dotted with high plateaus and moderate mountains, but occasionally punctuated by vertiginous ridges.

Pleasure Boating

A boat excursion can be arranged to reach small secret beaches, sheltered by coves and revealing strange rock formations.

Kayaking Through the Spectacular Goroppu Gorge

Of all the canyons in Italy, or even Europe, none compare to the Goroppu Gorge given its depression (450 m deep) with nearly vertical limestone walls and rivers flowing with torrential force. A paradise for kayak enthusiasts!

Mountain Hiking

Numerous marked trails have been created for hikers. A word of caution: the routes are generally reserved for experienced trekkers.

Extreme Sports

Approaching the mountain serves as a pretext for pursuing many sports disciplines: mountain biking, mountaineering, hot-air ballooning, paragliding or kayaking.

Speleological Exploration

The park's coastal zone is characterized by natural caves carved by the sea, such as Bue Marino Cave, to name the most famous.

Bird of Prey Photo Safari

The spectacle of raptors is a welcome respite for climbers before the inevitable descent and return to reality. You can admire the prowess of the peregrine falcon, an unparalleled hunter that seizes prey mid-flight.

Studying Local Vegetation

In the company of a knowledgeable guide, discover Mediterranean flora firsthand. From pristine holm oak forests to fragrant pines, from dwarf shrubs to holly and aspens, passing through riverside alders, each species has adapted to the mountain's extreme conditions. You'll agree that Gennargentu park is literally a botany textbook beneath the open sky.

Wandering Among Nuragic Ruins

The charming village of Tiscali preserves memories of a prehistoric civilization: that of the Nuraghi, a primitive people who occupied the region from the Bronze Age onward.

Practical Information

Foreign tourists should arrive in Sardaigne by air, booking a flight to Olbia or Cagliari. From there, you can head to the park by renting a car, mountain bike or motorcycle, or by using public transportation. If you enjoy scenic travel, train journeys offer an excellent way to explore the spectacular coastal attractions.

● Best Time to Visit

Visitors flock to Gennargentu National Park between June and September. During peak summer, the cool air and altitude provide respite from scorching temperatures. Be sure to bring a light jacket or sweater, as evenings can be somewhat chilly.