Page 198 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sardinia

196  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

OUTDOOR SPORTS sport has grown considerably,
and today the island’s most
Neglected for years because attention was focused on tourist challenging rocks and cliffs are
development along the coast, the interior landscape of tackled by climbers from all over
Sardinia offers plenty of opportunity to practise outdoor Italy and Europe. Among the
sports. The countryside can be explored on foot or on most popular climbing areas
are Supramonte (Surtana,
horseback – riding centres have made great advances in l’Agu glia), the cliffs at Iglesiente
recent years and are in great demand. Facilities for hiking and (Domusnovas), where hand-
rock climbing are good and increasing numbers of mountain and foot-holds have been
climbing routes are in the process of being marked out. placed, and the Isili area in
Nuoro province.
Essential reading for rock
climbers who decide to come
here is Pietra di Luna (Moon
Stone) by Maurizio Oviglia, the
most up-to-date guide to rock
climbing in Sardinia.
Additional information can
be obtained at the Sezione
di Cagliari del Club Alpino
Italiano. Programmes are
organized by a number of
companies, including Barbagia
Insolita and Keya. Climbing
lessons are available from
Rock & Sun.
Walking and Trekking
The Su Rei riding centre in Sulcis
Wild mountains, hills dotted
Horse Riding
guests, whatever their ability. with prehistoric ruins, forests
Sardinia is ideally suited for Supramonte, Giara di Gesturi and maquis vegetation make
trekking and horse riding. and the Valle della Luna are up most of the terrain in the
Horses have long been an three of the most interesting interior of Sardinia. The
integral part of the island’s and popular destinations for countryside is rugged but
culture, as the animal has those who love long treks in unspoilt and ideal for walking,
been part of local life since the Sardinian countryside. hiking and more strenuous
Phoenician times: many of treks. However, facilities are
the religious feast days and Rock Climbing few and far between, clearly
festivities include breakneck signposted footpaths are
rides and horse races. In the 1960s the Italian rare and there are very few
The many isolated minor mountaineer Alessandro Gogna refuges or stopping places. It
roads, mule tracks and paths, published Mezzo giorno di Pietra is always advisable to carry an
far away from traffic and noise, (Midday Stone), which opened up-to-date map and to take
particularly in the interior, up the possibilities for rock plenty of water when walking.
are ideal for pleasant rides, climbing in Sardinia. Since The most rewarding and
and many are not too difficult those days enthusiasm for the popular areas are Supra monte,
for beginners. the Gennargentu massif and the
There are nearly a hundred Sulcis area (which offers an
Sardinian equestrian clubs and unusual blend of hiking and
centres, large and small, offering industrial archaeology). Some
facilities for this sport. Most are stretches of the steep coastline
equipped to organize lessons are more suited to those with
and rides for beginners as climbing experience.
well as extended treks for In the Supramonte area
experienced riders. experienced mountaineers
Most of the stables and can even tackle the wild
clubs are located near Cagliari, and precipitous Su Gorroppu
Nuoro and Oristano, but there gorges. The trek takes a couple
has been an increase in the of days and special rock
number of holiday farms (see climbers’ equipment is needed
p174) offering horse riding and Cliffs at the seaside with facilities in order to make it down the
riding excursions for their for rock climbing vertical walls of the falls. This

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