Gennargentu and Supramonte: the Sardinia you don't expect

If you are looking for a wild, austere, and authentic experience, even where you might not expect it, in Sardinia, then the Gennargentu and Supramonte National Park is ideal. It extends between the provinces of Nuoro and Ogliastra, a majestic territory that hosts millenary canyons, ancient mountains, deep gorges, and above all, here you will find neither crowded beaches nor luxury resorts.

The Gennargentu massif, the highest on the island, includes Punta La Marmora, the Sardinian peak par excellence, which reaches almost 1834 meters in altitude. Just imagine, it even snows here in winter, in Sardinia—a strange but evocative image. The Supramonte, on the other hand, is a lower limestone plateau, carved by rivers and rain, and offers lunar landscapes. Here extends the Gorropu gorge, which is one of the deepest canyons in Europe, ideal for those who love extreme trekking.

Tiscali offers one of the most fascinating curiosities. It is an ancient Nuragic village located inside a karst sinkhole. At the end of the route, which requires a bit of courage given the impervious path, there is a mysterious village nestled in a natural cave suspended in time. Shepherds and mountain inhabitants have lived here for a long time, and they will welcome visitors with excellent dairy products such as Pecorino Fiore Sardo, and also a particular language, a Sardinian that is even more incomprehensible, rich in archaic terms.

Visiting the Gennargentu park means immersing yourself in the truest Sardinia, in the rough but poetic face of the island, far from the spotlight.

cover photo credits Brester Irina