Cagliari

THE SELVAGGIO BLU: ROPE, CAVE & CLIFFS IN SARDINIA

Hiking

What you'll do

The Selvaggio Blu is one of Europe's most spectacular coastal treks, threading along Sardinia's wild eastern cliffs between vertical limestone walls and turquoise Mediterranean waters. This week-long adventure follows ancient shepherds' paths through deep canyons, across windswept plateaus, and down to hidden beaches accessible only by foot or sea.

You'll abseil into dramatic sea caves, traverse exposed cliff faces with expert guide support, and swim in crystal-clear coves that few ever reach. Each night, bivouac under brilliant stars on secluded beaches while a support dinghy delivers fresh supplies, shepherd-cooked dinners, and essential gear—allowing you to trek light through this roadless wilderness.

No Wi-Fi, no facilities, no distractions—just raw nature, technical adventure, and authentic Sardinian culture. This is total disconnection in one of the Mediterranean's last wild places

Itinerary

Day 1: Airport to Coast — Welcome to Sardinia

Meet your group at Cagliari airport at 12 PM for your transfer to the wild Sardinian coast. The journey winds through rugged interior landscapes before arriving in Santa Maria Navarrese, where your certified guide awaits. After settling into your B&B, gather for a thorough equipment check and group introductions over views of the turquoise Tyrrhenian Sea. Share anticipation over dinner (on your own), explore the charming village, and mentally prepare for a total immersion in one of Europe's wildest coastal landscapes. Tomorrow, the legendary Selvaggio Blu begins.

Day 2: First steps into the Wild

After a hearty B&B breakfast, transfer to the trailhead and begin your journey along the dramatic Girardili ledge and Monte Ginnirco's rugged slopes. Ancient shepherds' paths wind through Mediterranean scrub, opening to jaw-dropping vistas of vertical cliffs plunging into sapphire waters. Descend to Porto Petrosu, a stunning hidden cove where your first bivouac awaits. As evening falls, a support dinghy arrives with dinner supplies, fresh water, and camping gear—establishing the rhythm that will sustain you throughout the trek. Gather around a crackling bonfire, savor a meal prepared with local ingredients, and fall asleep to waves lapping the shore beneath a canopy of stars. This is disconnection at its finest. Distance: 12 km (7.5 mi) | Elevation gain: +800 m (2,625 ft) - 800 m (2,625 ft) | Time: 6 hours

Day 3: Ancient Trails to Punta Salinas

From Porto Petrosu, follow centuries-old charcoal burners' mule tracks that weave across limestone plateaus and plunge into deep bachi canyons. The landscape is wild and raw, with twisted junipers clinging to rocky outcrops. Mid-route, you'll earn a spectacular bird's-eye view over Cala Goloritzè, one of Sardinia's most iconic beaches, its white pebbles and limestone pinnacle gleaming far below. Continue to Irbidossili cuile, an ancient shepherd's shelter where tonight's bivouac unfolds. Here, the experience deepens: your host prepares dinner using traditional Sardinian methods and local products—pecorino cheese, cured meats, pane carasau—offering authentic cultural immersion. The morning dinghy collects excess gear before you depart; evening resupply brings tonight's feast. Distance: 10 km (6.2 mi) | Elevation gain: +680 m (2,230 ft) - 80 m (260 ft) | Time: 5 hours

Day 4: Rope Work and Emerald Waters

Wake to a shepherd's breakfast at Irbidossili, then descend through fragrant maquis to Cala Goloritzè for a refreshing swim in its legendary turquoise waters. The adventure intensifies as you tackle the first major technical section: rope-assisted climbs up and over coastal ridges, with your guide managing all safety systems. Navigate exposed ledges with the sea crashing hundreds of meters below, then with some soft rock climbing reach Cala Mariolu—a gem of white pebbles and shallow, crystal-clear water perfect for an afternoon swim. The support dinghy arrives as sunset paints the cliffs orange, delivering dinner and collecting the morning's excess baggage. Bivouac here, lulled by gentle waves. Distance: 10 km (6.2 mi) | Elevation gain: +510 m (1,673 ft) - 1,100 m (3,609 ft) | Time: 6 hours

Day 5: Sea Caves and Cliff Ledges

Today's route showcases the Selvaggio Blu's most distinctive character: technical traverses along the cliff face. From Cala Mariolu, follow an incredibly rugged coastal path, abseiling into the Grottoni—massive sea caves carved by millennia of waves. Thread through the Modaloru Cengia, a narrow ledge system requiring focus and nerve, then explore wild grottos where light filters through rock windows. Reach Cala Modarolu, an isolated paradise accessible only by sea or this demanding trek. The afternoon dinghy brings supplies; spend the evening swimming in gin-clear water, watching stars emerge above the Mediterranean, and reflecting on the profound remoteness of this coastline. Shorter distance today allows time to explore and rest. Distance: 4 km (2.5 mi) | Elevation gain: +370 m (1,214 ft) - 350 m (1,148 ft) | Time: 4 hours

Day 6: Hand-Over-Hand Traverse and Sa Nurca Canyon

Prepare for the trek's most thrilling technical day. Abseil multiple pitches, then tackle an exhilarating traverse directly above the sea—caves stitched to the cliff face where you move hand-over-hand with ropes, waves surging below. Cross into Bacu Su Padente, navigating through the mysterious Sa Nurca canyon with its sculpted limestone walls. Three final rappels (the last a 50-meter descent) deliver you to Cala Biriola's pristine beach, fringed by turquoise shallows and white rocks. This cove feels like the edge of the world. The evening dinghy ritual continues: fresh supplies in, excess gear out, then dinner by firelight. Swim beneath the sunset, knowing tomorrow brings the final push. Distance: 7 km (4.3 mi) | Elevation gain: +450 m (1,476 ft) - 480 m (1,575 ft) | Time: 5 hours

Day 7:Landslide Scramble and Sea Return

The Selvaggio Blu's grand finale begins with a technical ascent from Cala Biriola, navigating a massive landslide that reshaped this coastline—400 meters of recent rockfall creating a wild boulder field. Climb into the Orronnoro forest, its ancient holm oaks providing welcome shade, then complete two final rappels and some rock climbing sections before arriving at Cala Sisine by mid-afternoon. Here, a dinghy awaits for a scenic 1.5-hour return voyage along the coast you've just conquered (if seas are rough, a 4x4 shuttle provides land transport). Back in Santa Maria Navarrese, celebrate with a farewell dinner and sink into a real bed at the B&B, replaying a week of unforgettable moments. Distance: 5 km (3.1 mi) | Elevation gain: +410 m (1,345 ft) - 410 m (1,345 ft) | Time: 4 hours

Day 8: Rest, optional climb, and farewell

A well-deserved rest morning allows tired muscles to recover and final memories to be made. If energy and enthusiasm remain, join your guide for an optional climbing session on local crags—applying the rope skills you've practiced all week. Otherwise, relax by the sea, explore Santa Maria Navarrese, or savor espresso and pastries while the Selvaggio Blu experience settles into your soul. After lunch, board your transfer for the journey back to the airport, arriving around 5 PM for evening flights. Arrivederci, Sardinia!

Important stuff

From the highest peaks to the hidden trails, we've got your back

100% Guaranteed Departures

Once you book, your trip is guaranteed to run, allowing you to book your flights with confidence.

Flexible Changes

Want to change your departure date or trip? No problem—enjoy maximum flexibility to make changes up to 60 days before departure.

Comprehensive Insurance & Assistance

Travel with peace of mind. Our insurance package covers accidents and rescue during outdoor activities, medical expenses, and luggage protection, as well as trip cancellations and 24/7 medical assistance from our insurance partner.

100% Guaranteed Departures: Once you book, your trip is guaranteed to run, allowing you to book your flights with confidence.
Flexible Changes: Want to change your departure date or trip? No problem—enjoy maximum flexibility to make changes up to 60 days before departure.
Comprehensive Insurance & Assistance: Travel with peace of mind. Our insurance package covers accidents and rescue during outdoor activities, medical expenses, and luggage protection, as well as trip cancellations and 24/7 medical assistance from our insurance partner.

see more on How it works

What's included

Accident insurance

Medical and luggage insurance

Travel cancellation insurance

Transport from airport

Transport to airport

Certified guide

Transport from Santa Martia Navarrese to the trail head

Transport from the trail end to Santa Martia Navarrese

2 nights in BnB

5 nights in bivac

5 dinners

6 lunches

7 breakfasts

Flight

Visa (if applicable)

Everything not mentioned in the “What’s included”

Last day's lunch

First day's dinner

Dinner on day 7

Expenditure of personal nature

Tourist tax required by Santa Maria public administration (30 euros per person)

Accommodations

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B&B in Santa Maria Navarrese (Nights 1 & 7)

Cozy accommodations right by the coast, offering comfortable beds, hot showers, and a hearty breakfast to bookend your adventure. This welcoming base provides easy access to local shops, restaurants, and the harbor—perfect for pre-trek preparation and post-trek celebration.

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Bivouacs Under the Stars (Nights 2-6)

Sleep directly on Sardinia's most stunning and secluded beaches, using only your sleeping bag and mat beneath a brilliant canopy of stars. No tents unless weather demands (tarps or tents delivered by dinghy if rain threatens). Each evening, a support dinghy arrives with fresh water, dinner ingredients, and essential gear; each morning, it returns to collect excess baggage and resupply for the day ahead. Shepherd-cooked dinners at spots like Irbidossili cuile add authentic Sardinian tradition to this raw wilderness camping experience. Firelight, waves, and solitude define these unforgettable nights.

Guides

Giovanni & Guide Finale

Giovanni is a UIAGM-certified mountain guide and local expert, part of the Società Guide Alpine Finale (SGAF) — a team of six UIAGM alpine guides united by a deep passion for the rock and history of the Ligurian coast. Trained as a geologist and cartographer, he reads landscapes the way others read maps: with precision, curiosity, and years of layered knowledge. But climbing is his greatest passion — the place where science and instinct meet on the rock face.