Walking the Selvaggio Blu Trek

The Selvaggio Blu Trek is often referred to as Italy’s hardest trek and is located about halfway up Sardinia’s east coast in the island’s Baunei region. It follows the wild coastline of the Gulf of Orosei, from Santa Maria Navarrese to Cala Gonone, as shown on the map opposite. Parts of this trek are extremely technical and demanding involving some short stretches of rock climbing and abseiling. The route is physical and there is always the issue of the constant lack of water found along the route.

Whilst the Selvaggio Blu Trek is undoubtable technical it does pass through some stunning scenery. This ranges from narrow footpaths that lead over undulating trails along the edge of sea cliffs, to the old tracks of goatherds and charcoal burners, and hidden beaches between vast cliffs of limestone. The trail passes through one of the last true wildernesses of the Mediterranean where there are no roads or habitations.

The trail is around 25 miles long and it typically takes 6 to 7 days to complete.  The Supramonte of Baunei and Selvaggio Blu walking guidebook is essential reading for anyone wishing to undertake this fantastic trail.  The trek is described in incredible detail, along with many maps and GPS waypoints.  All aspects of safety and planning are dealt with including bivouac places, escape routes, areas to collect supplies such as water, and emergency recovery points including where telephone reception is better.  Buy this Supramonte of Baunei and Selvaggio Blu walking guidebook from our shop.

This area of Sardinia between Baunei and Cala Gonone offers a great contrast between the wild Supramonte Mountains and the crystal clear sea with its rugged and steep limestone cliffs.  These remote and wild Supramonte Mountains provide many micro-regions where there is a great variety of habitats and scenery.   These range from steep paths descending to beautiful beaches, and remote villages such as Tiscali, to incredible gorges such as the Sa Giuntura Valley and the Gorroppu Gorge.

Walking in the Supramonte Mountains is an adventure as there are no natural sources of fresh water, and the majority of the paths are unmarked.  So planning is essential and there are a number of walking guidebooks and maps available to help with this.

The Supramonte of Baunei and Selvaggio Blu walking guidebook describes 5 long distance treks that are typically between 5 to 6 days long.  Each trek is described in great detail and many maps, and including the famous Selvaggio Blu.

The Sentieri walking guidebook describes 42 trekking routes in the Supramonte Mountains around Baunei, Dorgali, Oliena, Orgosolo and Urzulei.  Each route is described in great detail along with at least one 1:25,000 map.

The Baunei Walking map (1:30,000 scale) covers an area from Cala Luna in the north to Lotzorai in the south including 17 recommended walking routes ranging from 1 to 5 hours long.  Buy walking maps for Sardinia from our shop.