Selvaggio Blu Trail, Sardinia — Self-Launched
7 days · Sardinia, Italy
Much Better Adventures charges £1,395
No-markup version: ~£735 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Italy's hardest trek, tackled independently. The Selvaggio Blu ('Wild Blue') runs 25 miles along Sardinia's Ogliastra coast from Pedra Longa to Cala Sisine, with 13,780ft of vertical gain, five rappels and two via ferrata sections. This self-launched version swaps the guided, fully-porter'd group trip for a self-arranged coastal trek: buses and a hired car, budget guesthouses in Santa Maria Navarrese and Baunei, plus wild camping and agriturismo nights along the trail. Because the route involves roped sections and navigation on exposed limestone, most independent trekkers join a local guide for the technical days or travel with a competent rope partner — budget for one or two guided days if you're going solo, or connect with other trekkers via the Sardinian hiking Facebook groups. Costs here are approximate and assume you're travelling solo, staying in hostels/guesthouses and camping, eating in supermarkets and local trattorias, and using public buses plus one mountain transfer.
Day-by-day
Fly to Cagliari, bus to Santa Maria Navarrese
Cagliari → Santa Maria Navarrese
Fly into Cagliari Elmas (CAG) — direct budget flights from London and across Europe (from ~£60 return if booked early). From the airport, take the train or bus into Cagliari centre, then catch the ARST regional bus north along the SS125 to Santa Maria Navarrese (roughly 3 hours, ~£10-12; check the ARST timetable, as services are limited on Sundays). Alternatively hire a small car for the week if you want total flexibility (from ~£30/day). Check into a budget guesthouse or hostel in Santa Maria Navarrese, a small low-key coastal town at the foot of the Baunei mountains. Spend the afternoon doing a gear check — water capacity (3-4 litres), insoles, sun protection — and stock up on trail food at the local supermarket. Eat a Sardinian dinner of culurgiones (stuffed pasta) in town.
🚌Flight into CAG, then ARST bus or hired car (~£10-12 bus, ~£30/day car)
🛏Budget guesthouse / B&B in Santa Maria Navarrese
- →ARST bus Cagliari to Santa Maria Navarrese
- →Gear and water check
- →Trattoria dinner in Santa Maria Navarrese
Pedra Longa to Monte Ginnirco — into the wild
Pedra Longa → Monte Ginnirco
Take a short local bus or taxi from Santa Maria Navarrese to Pedra Longa (about 15 minutes), the striking rock spire that marks the official start of the Selvaggio Blu. From here the trail heads up a panoramic path to the shoulder of Punta Giradili, one of Sardinia's biggest sea cliffs, with huge views over the Arbatax gulf and the Gennargentu peaks inland. Roughly 7 hours walking, 8 miles, ~3,445ft up. Camp in the forest on the Ginnirco plateau — wild camping along this coast is tolerated for Selvaggio Blu trekkers but leave no trace and carry all water. Cook your own dinner on a stove.
🚌Local bus/taxi to trailhead (~£5); 8mi on foot
🛏Wild camp (tent) on Monte Ginnirco
- →Trek Pedra Longa to Monte Ginnirco
- →Wild camp on the Ginnirco plateau
- →Punta Giradili clifftop views
Monte Ginnirco to Genna 'e Mudrecu ridge
Monte Ginnirco → Genna 'e Mudrecu
A demanding day: 7 hours, 8 miles, ~2,300ft up and ~3,600ft down along the edge of high cliffs above the sea. Follow the Capo Monte Santo crag on a steep zig-zagging trail — watch for Eleonora's Falcon — down to the limestone fjord of Portu Pedrosu for a swim and lunch. Continue on an old mule track through holly oak and juniper forest past abandoned shepherd's huts to the panoramic Genna 'e Mudrecu ridge. If you'd rather not do this unsupported solo, this is a good day to have booked a local guiding day out of Baunei (many of the Baunei-based guides offer individual Selvaggio Blu days from ~£90-110 per day). Camp on the ridge.
🚌On foot; optional guided day booked in Baunei (~£100)
🛏Wild camp (tent) on Genna 'e Mudrecu ridge
- →Trek Monte Ginnirco to Genna 'e Mudrecu
- →Swim at Portu Pedrosu fjord
- →Optional local guide day
- →Wild camp on the ridge
Cala Goloritzè and a via ferrata to Su Porteddu
Genna 'e Mudrecu → Cala Goloritzè → Su Porteddu
Up early for sunrise over the sea, then a shorter 5-mile day (8 hours with stops) heading toward Punta Salinas above the Orosei gulf. Descend to Cala Goloritzè — a white pebble beach beneath the 420ft Punta Caroddi rock needle and one of Sardinia's most famous spots (access is now limited and a small landing/entry fee applies, ~£6). Spend a couple of hours swimming, then climb a scree section and tackle a ~100ft via ferrata before reaching the campsite at Su Porteddu. Su Porteddu is an established campsite with basic facilities and a small restaurant — a rare night with a bed-space or pitch and a hot meal, ~£15-25.
🚌On foot, 5mi with via ferrata; ~£6 Cala Goloritzè entry
🛏Su Porteddu campsite (pitch or simple cabin)
- →Trek to Cala Goloritzè
- →Swim at Cala Goloritzè
- →Via ferrata section
- →Night at Su Porteddu campsite
Rappelling to Bacu Padente
Su Porteddu → Bacu Padente
The most technical day: 8 hours, 8 miles, ~1,480ft up and ~3,180ft down, including a 75ft rappel. Solo trekkers who aren't confident on roped terrain should book a local certified guide for this section (Baunei-based guides run individual or small-group technical days, ~£100-130). The reward is exposed passages with dizzying views over the emerald sea, hidden coves and limestone cliffs. Camp near the Su Padente canyon and cook a celebratory dinner in the wilderness.
🚌On foot, 8mi with one rappel; optional guide ~£115
🛏Wild camp (tent) near Bacu Padente
- →Trek with 75ft rappel to Bacu Padente
- →Optional certified guide for technical sections
- →Wild camp near Su Padente canyon
Final stage: rappels and via ferrata to Cala Sisine
Bacu Padente → Cala Sisine
The last push: 5 hours, 5 miles, with four rope-assisted descents of 82-148ft and a 131ft via ferrata section, ending at the dreamy cove of Cala Sisine beneath Punta Plummare. Again, book a guide for the roped sections if you're solo. Celebrate with a swim in the clear water and dinner at the campsite above the beach — basic pitches and simple food, ~£15-25 for the night. This is the official endpoint of the Selvaggio Blu.
🚌On foot, 5mi with rappels and via ferrata; optional guide ~£100
🛏Cala Sisine campsite (pitch or simple cabin)
- →Final trek with four rappels and via ferrata
- →Swim at Cala Sisine
- →Farewell dinner at Cala Sisine campsite
Boat along the coast and back to Cagliari
Cala Sisine → Santa Maria Navarrese → Cagliari
A well-earned rest day. In season you can take a boat from Cala Sisine back along the coast to Santa Maria Navarrese (~90 minutes, ~£15-20; book locally or via Klook/GetYourGuide — note some services are seasonal and weather-dependent, so always have a fallback). From Santa Maria Navarrese, catch the ARST bus back to Cagliari (~3 hours, ~£10-12) in time for an evening flight, or stay one more night in town if you're flying early. Arrivederci, Sardinia.
🚌Boat ~£18; ARST bus to Cagliari ~£11
🛏None (onward travel) or extra guesthouse night (~£35)
- →Boat ride along the Ogliastra coast
- →ARST bus back to Cagliari
- →Optional extra night in Santa Maria Navarrese
Self-launched vs. Much Better Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Much Better Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£735 | £1,395 |
| Duration | 7 days | 7 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £660 per person (47%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Much Better Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£735
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Selvaggio Blu Trail, Sardinia — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £735 per person for 7 days in Sardinia, Italy. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Much Better Adventures?+
Yes — Much Better Adventures charges around £1,395 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £735 — a saving of roughly £660 (47%) per person.
How long is the Sardinia, Italy trip?+
This itinerary runs 7 days, covering 7 day-by-day stops through Sardinia, Italy.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, backpacker trip through Sardinia, Italy, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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