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The Trip

This unforgettable hiking trip will take you across the wild Mediterranean islands of Sardinia and Corsica through bio-diverse landscapes no longer found anywhere else in Western Europe. Inhabited for thousands of years, both islands have maintained a local identity and character due to the strong will of the people and a wild interior that no foreign king could ever properly tame.

Shepherds, sailors, pirates, and farmers settled in deep, inaccessible canyons, high on rocky cliffs or in the middle of isolated plains in circular, easily defensible dwellings. During our hikes we will seek out the remnants of ancient societies and worship systems that were created and lost over thousands of years.

Highlights of Sardinia:

• Sacred spring of Orune
• UNESCO World Heritage site of Su Nuraxi
• Bronze-age Karst village of Tiscali
• The "moon bay" of Cala Luna
• The spectacular island archipelago of Maddalena

Highlights of Corsica:

• The precipice town of Bonifacio
• UNESCO World Heritage site of Les Calanques de Piana
• A hiking segment of the world-famous GR20 trail
• The wild interior: Restonica and Tavignano valleys
• Mediterranean cruise from Corsica to Genoa

Itinerary

The leaders will make every reasonable effort to meet the goals outlined in the itinerary. Please keep in mind that weather or other conditions beyond our control may cause us to modify the itinerary in order to ensure the safety and well-being of the group. Mileage and elevation gain are approximate and may be adjusted based on the fitness level and experience of group members.

Day 1: Cagliari to Dorgali
We meet in Cagliari mid-morning and then start our day with two of the most important ancient ruins on the island of Sardinia. The first will be the UNESCO World Heritage site of Su Nuraxi. The use of these beehive-like, pre-Christian buildings still remains unknown, but most archaeologists agree they were used as religious temples. The second site of the day will be the ancient spring of Su Tempiesu. After a lovely picnic lunch here, we continue north to the Gulf of Orosei, one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. Comprised of a series of beaches, small inlets, cliffs, and rocky pinnacles that rise steeply out of the sea, the coastline here is so wild we will visit it by boat. Overnight in Dorgali.

Day 2: Dorgali/Cala Luna
Today we enjoy a scenic hike to Cala Luna, one of the most beautiful coves on the island. Centuries-old junipers bent by the wind dot the steep limestone walls and beautiful oleander and elder groves extend down to the beach. The bays in Sardinia are often outlets to the sea for narrow gorges that the locals call codule. We will make our way back by boat, stopping en route to explore a few amazing sea caves. Overnight in Dorgali. (5 miles / 1,000-foot elevation gain)

Day 3: Dorgali/Supramonte
This morning we make our way into the wild Supramonte -- a vast mountain region full of woods and lunar landscapes. The entire Supramonte massif is made up of limestone rocks that date back 160-180 million years to the Jurassic period. If trail maintenance permits, we will hike to Tiscali, a 4th-century (BC) village built inside a majestic Karst hollow. It is believed that Tiscali was one of the last bastions of ancient Sardinian resistance to the brutal invasion of the Romans. Tonight we will enjoy sweet and sour wild boar roasted in front of the fire -- one of the local specialties. Overnight in Dorgali. (8 miles / 2,500-foot elevation gain)

Day 4: La Maddalena Archipelago
This morning we enjoy a lovely drive north to the port town of Palau where we stage our exploration of the Maddalena Archipelago. Created in 1996 to protect the local flora and fauna, La Maddalena National Park is home to all kinds of birdlife, including the Kestrel, the Peregrine falcon, the Common Buzzard, and sea birds such as the European Shag, the Cory's Shearwater, and the Manx Shearwater. Overnight in Palau/Maddalena. (5 miles / 800-foot elevation gain)

Day 5: Maddalena Archipelago or Northern Coast
Today we continue our exploration of the Maddalena Archipelago and/or explore other beautiful areas on the northern end of Sardinia. One of today’s highlights will be a lecture about the 4,000-mile migration of the rare Eleonora falcon from Madagascar to Sardinia and Corsica. Overnight in Palau/Maddalena. (6 miles / 800-foot elevation gain)

Day 6: Bonifacio
This morning we continue north to Santa Teresa de Gallura, where we catch a 90-minute ferry to the amazing Corsican city of Bonifacio. The cliffs around Bonifacio have been undercut by the ocean so that the city now sits on the very lip of a precipice -- an amazing sight that will allow for a wonderful hike. Overnight in Bonifacio. (5 miles / 450-foot elevation gain)

Day 7: Corte
Today we drive north into the famed mountains of Corsica, where we enjoy two relaxing nights in the mountain town of Corte. Dominated by the Citadel perched on its rocky outcrop, Corte lies at the mouth of the Restonica and Tavignano valleys, an area that boasts stunning scenery and fantastic hikes. Overnight in Corte. (4 miles / 1,500-foot elevation gain)

Day 8: Corte and the GR20
Going off the beaten path, we visit the wildest and most sparsely populated region of the island. Near the small settlement of Vizzavona we will have the opportunity to hike for awhile on the world-famous, cross-island GR20 trail. After taking in the picturesque waterfalls of the Cascade des Anglais, we will enjoy lunch in an extremely rural community. Overnight in Corte. (8 miles / 2,000-foot elevation gain)

Day 9: Porto and Les Calanques de Piana
We make our way to yet another UNESCO World Heritage site: "Les Calanques de Piana." The pinnacles and ravines of the red granite "Calanches" soar out of beautiful blue seas and are framed by the jagged peaks of Paglia Orba. At sunset the rocks take on fantastic shapes and colours -- the petrified creations of another world! Overnight near Piana/Porto. (6 miles / 1,500-foot elevation gain)

Day 10: Scandola
If weather and legal permits allow, we will go into the Scandola Nature Reserve. Here we will find towering pinnacles and gnarled, claw-like outcrops of rock that were formed by volcanic eruptions 250 million years ago. The colours of the rock vary from charcoal grey to incandescent reds and rusty purples, which strike a vivid contrast to the wild, green grasses and the cobalt blue of the sea. Dolphins and seals thrive here and colonies of giant gulls and cormorants inhabit the cliffs. Overnight near Piana/Porto. (6 miles / 1,000-foot elevation gain)

Day 11: Bastia/Genoa
We enjoy a scenic drive to the northern port town of Bastia where we catch an afternoon ferry journey to Genoa, the birthplace of Christopher Columbus and the ancient Maritime Queen of the Italian Riviera. Upon arrival, we check into our hotel and make our way to a farewell dinner in an amazing setting overlooking Europe’s largest historical center. The trip ends with an overnight in Genoa.

Day 12:
In the morning, the trip officially ends after breakfast. We say our goodbyes and return home with fond memories.

Getting There

We will meet at 10:30 a.m. at our meeting place in Cagliari, Sardinia on Sunday, September 2. Cagliari is a short one-hour flight from Rome, or 1.5 hours from Milan. Participants can overnight pre-trip in Rome or Milan, or in Cagliari. The trip will end with a farewell dinner and an overnight in Genoa, Italy on Wednesday, September 12 (with departures on Thursday, September 13). There is an early-morning bus (6 a.m.) that takes people directly from Genoa to the Milan airport -- it takes three hours and operates every day. You can also take the train from Genoa to Milan airport (2.5 hours, connecting service). Or you can take a flight from Genoa to Milan or Rome.

Accommodations and Food

We will be staying in charming small inns and hotels, and an agriturismo (a countryside inn). Lodging is double-occupancy with private baths. Singles will be assigned a roommate. If the accommodations have a single room available and you prefer a single room, there will be an extra charge. You must inform the leader well in advance if you wish the single supplement option. In the agriturismo, couples may be sharing a cottage and bathroom with another couple or singles, but will have a separate bedroom.

All meals are included except one dinner, when we will have the choice of exploring various restaurants at our own expense. The Slow Food Movement started in Italy, and we will enjoy locally grown, farm-fresh and fresh-caught food and local wines.

Trip Difficulty

While several of the hikes on this trip are easy to moderate (especially those that take us to well-known archaeological sites), there are also hikes that are moderately strenuous. Hikes range from approximately 4 to 8 miles, with elevation gains up to 2,500 feet. This itinerary has been designed so that hikers of various levels can participate. We will describe each hiking itinerary (elevation and condition of trail) beforehand so that every trip participant can make an informed decision about whether or not to participate. Options will be available for anyone who is not feeling up to any given hike. As with all trips, the better shape you are in, the more you will enjoy the trip.

Equipment and Clothing

A detailed equipment list will be sent to each participant. Plan to bring good and well-broken-in hiking boots, summer/fall clothes for hiking, and a day pack with water bottle, first-aid kit, sunscreen, and raingear. Hiking poles are recommended.

References

• Buettner, Dan. The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who've Lived the Longest. National Geographic Society, 2008.
• Honore, Carl. In Praise of Slowness: Challenging the Cult of Speed. Harper Collins, 2004.
• Heatherington, Tracey. Wild Sardinia: Indigeneity & the Gobal Dreamtimes of Environmentalism. University of Washington Press, 2010.
• Lawrence, D. H. Sea and Sardinia. Penguin Books, 1997.
• Anderson, Neil. The Lead Goat Veered Off. Cycle Logic Press, 2004.
• Bouldrey, Brian. Honorable Bandit: A Walk Across Corsica. Terrace Books, University of Wisconsin Press, 2007.
• Carrington, Dorothy. Granite Island: A Portrait of Corsica. Penguin Books, 1971.
  

Conservation

The Sierra Club is an environmentally focused entity. We are concerned about conservation and sustainability of resources both locally and globally. Our work, which is accomplished by volunteers and aided by a salaried staff, encourages grassroots involvement. Our outings seek to empower participants to understand the parallels between environmental concerns at home and abroad.

Our Italian guides are ardent conservationists and cultural preservationists of their special area. They are eager to talk with Sierra Club members about their efforts to develop sustainable eco-tourism and educate locals in the value of preserving both the natural and cultural heritage of their country.

Some of our focus will be on exploring the sustainable lifestyle of these ancient cultures, including the Slow Food Movement and 'Blue Zones.' Sardinia is one of five identified Blue Zones in the world -- locations where a significant number of habitants live active lives past 100. In 2004, Dan Buettner teamed up with National Geographic and hired the world’s best longevity researchers to identify pockets around the world where people lived measurably better. In these Blue Zones they found that people reach age 100 at rates 10 times greater than in the United States. After identifying the world’s Blue Zones, Buettner and National Geographic took teams of scientists to each location to identify lifestyle characteristics that might explain longevity. They found that the lifestyles of all Blue Zones residents shared specific characteristics. We will share some of the lessons from the world’s longest-living people to create environments of health.

We will also explore and enjoy several national parks and nature preserves during our trip. Created in 1996 to protect the local flora and fauna, La Maddalena National Park is home to all kinds of birdlife, including the Kestrel, the Peregrine falcon, the Common Buzzard, and sea birds such as the European Shag, Cory's Shearwater and Manx Shearwater. A highlight will be a lecture about the 4,000-mile migration of the rare Eleonora falcon from Madagascar to Sardinia and Corsica. We will also visit Scandola Nature Reserve, where we will find towering pinnacles and gnarled, claw-like outcrops of rock that were formed by volcanic eruptions 250 million years ago. Dolphins and seals thrive here and colonies of giant gulls and cormorants inhabit the cliffs.

Trip Price

This trip requires a $200 per-person deposit. An additional payment of $300 per person is due six months prior to trip departure. International trip prices are subject to change and are based on double-occupancy or group accommodations as described above. Single rooms may not be available or may cost more than the listed price. If you have any questions regarding double occupancy, please contact the trip leader.

See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy.

The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.

The Sierra Club accurately and fairly budgets and prices our trips. However, unforeseen costs such as devaluation of the dollar compared to other currencies and fuel surcharges assessed by our international providers may necessitate adjustment in trip price. We will make every effort to mitigate and absorb these fees. If a price increase is necessary, however, you will have 14 days after announcement to cancel without penalty.

Staff

Having spent some of her formative years living overseas, Carol Marty enjoys sharing her appreciation for other cultures and the outdoors in the hope that we can all be responsible global citizens. She is happiest when engaging in activities in the outdoors, from hiking to kayaking, skiing, snowshoeing, or snorkeling. Carol led national Sierra Club trips for 10 years in the Caribbean and California, and four years ago she began leading trips in Italy. Carol has traveled in 23 countries and has lived in many parts of the United States as well as in Peru and Mexico. She lives in Annapolis, Maryland, where she enjoys kayaking the rivers off the Chesapeake Bay.

E-mail: cmmarty@netzero.net

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General Notes About Sierra Club Trips

• Carbon Offsets
• Electronic Devices
• Equipment
• How to Apply for a Trip
• Leader Gratuities
• Liability Release and Assumption of Risk
• Medical Issues
• Non-discrimination Statement
• Participant Approval
• Reservation and Cancellation Policy
• Seller of Travel Disclosure
• Travel Insurance
• Trip Feedback