The Selvaggio Blu (Wild Blue) Trek

THE SELVAGGIO BLU TREK

The “Selvaggio Blu” trek, which begins at Pedra Longa and ends at Cala Luna, winds through trails that are literally suspended between the sea and the mountains. It is currently considered one of the most captivating and challenging in Europe and all it takes is a look at the guides and specialised websites for confirmation of this.

The idea behind this unique trek goes back to the eighties and is the brainchild of two climbers, Mario Verin and Peppino Cicalò, “from the Continent” as they still say in these parts when referring to people who arrive in Sardinia from the Peninsula, although it it worth noting that Cicalò is actually of Sardinian origin. Encouraged by the municipal administration of the time, the two explored every inch of the stretch of Baunesis coastline between Pedra Longa and Cala Luna, under the incredulous and a little suspicious gaze of the herdsmen of the Supramonte, in search of hidden paths and forgotten passages. During the following two “exploratory” seasons, the first in May 1987, the second the following year, the idea of creating a “special” route joining the herdsmen’s paths and the mule tracks of coalmen led to the conception of a captivating coastal route.

The two “continentals,” Verin and Cicalò, sensing the potential of these types of paths, published a brochure entitled “Baunei Trails” in 1989, which is considered “the mother of all hiking guides on the territory of Baunei”, in which the specify that the itinerary, which they dubbed “Wild Blue”, “is only suitable for very fit expert hikers with good orientation skills and proven climbing skills”.

The idea launched by the two climbers was subsequently enhanced by expert local guides, who for years have provided the opportunity to try the “Selvaggio Blu” to anyone who wants to experience the thrill of living in close contact with unspoilt nature for six days.

The basic itinerary of “Pedra Longa - Cala Luna” is usually divided into five or six stages, as needed and according to the skills of the participants. The are plenty of spectacular passages, some of which are hundreds of metres above the sea. The most difficult points to get past can still count on valuable and irreplaceable ancient “scalones”, juniper walkways built by the more experienced and skilled herdsmen.

Abseiling down sheer cliffs on the sea and night bivouacs in ancient folds help to make the unparalleled trek both enchanting and compelling.