Walking holiday in Sardinia: this is how you really experience the island!
- Experience Hikes
- Feb 13
- 4 min read
Updated: 8 hours ago
Discover the Beauty of a Walking Holiday in Sardinia
Table of Contents
What can you expect from a walking holiday in Sardinia?
Why choose the northeast of Sardinia?
Road trip by car vs. walking in Sardinia
Walking in Gallura: granite, vineyards, and panoramic views
Coastal walks in northeast Sardinia
The quiet interior towards Baronia
Culture, food, and wine along the way
Practical tips
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
10. Conclusion
What can you expect from a walking holiday in Sardinia?
A walking holiday in Sardinia allows you to explore the island at a leisurely pace. You can focus on nature, culture, and the local people. Instead of rushing to check off highlights, hiking in Sardinia offers a unique experience. You will:
Walk along centuries-old shepherd's paths
Stop at a farm or winery
Listen to local stories
Truly experience the landscape
At Experience Hikes, this style of travel is central. We offer small groups, local guides, and routes away from the crowds.
What makes a walking holiday in Sardinia special?
The combination of rugged nature, ancient culture, silence, and the opportunity to experience the island slowly and authentically makes it special.
Why choose the northeast of Sardinia?
Northeast Sardinia is one of the island's most diverse regions. Here, mountains, coastline, culture, and gastronomy converge without feeling crowded. You will find:
Gallura with its granite landscapes
Quiet coastal paths around Olbia and Capo Comino
The traditional inland area towards Baronia
Short distances, ideal for hiking
This makes the northeast perfect for a walking holiday where you can see a lot without feeling rushed.
View our walking holiday in north-east Sardinia for an overview of routes and programmes.
Road trip by car vs. walking in Sardinia
Many travelers discover Sardinia with a rental car. A road trip along beaches and villages can be beautiful. However, you mainly see what lies along the way.
What do you miss with a car?
Quiet valleys without asphalt
Ancient paths between villages
Encounters that arise from slowing down
The rhythm of the landscape
What does hiking offer?
Access to places where cars can't go
Time to see, smell, and listen
Contact with locals along the way
A deeper experience of Sardinia
A walking holiday in Sardinia doesn't just show you the island; you experience it. Many of our guests say afterward:
"We thought we knew Sardinia... until we went walking."
Is hiking in Sardinia better than a road trip?
Hiking offers a deeper, more authentic experience than traveling by car, especially in the northeast, where many trails are only accessible on foot.
Walking in Gallura: granite, vineyards, and panoramic views
Gallura forms the heart of northeastern Sardinia. This landscape is rugged, open, and yet soft—shaped by wind, time, and tradition. Walks in Gallura will take you past:
Jagged granite cliffs
Cork oaks and Mediterranean shrubs
Small vineyards
Abandoned shepherd's huts
A walk often ends at a local winery, where you can taste Vermentino di Gallura—a wine as unique as the landscape.
Coastal walks in northeast Sardinia
The northeast proves that a walking holiday and the sea are a perfect match. The coastal paths around Olbia, San Teodoro, and Capo Comino are surprisingly peaceful, especially outside the peak season.
You'll walk here:
Over sand dunes and rocky plateaus
With views of the turquoise sea
Along beaches that are only accessible on foot
Some routes combine walking with a swim or snorkeling break, which is a wonderful way to cool off on hot days.
The quiet interior towards Baronia
As soon as you leave the coast behind and walk towards Baronia, the atmosphere changes. Here, silence and simplicity reign. This is the Sardinia of:
Small villages
Ancient agricultural lands
Shepherds and crafts
Slow days and steady rhythms
For travelers, this often feels like stepping back in time—and that's precisely what makes it so special.
Culture, food, and wine along the way
A hiking holiday with Experience Hikes isn't just about exercise; it's also about experiencing and enjoying. Along the way, you'll experience:
Lunches at agriturismos
Homemade pasta after a day of hiking
Local cheeses and bread
Wine tastings at small family-run businesses
Food isn't just a sideshow here. The regional dishes, made with fresh island ingredients, are an extension of the landscape you'll be hiking through.
Practical tips
What's the best time to travel for a walking holiday in Sardinia?
May–June and September–October are ideal for walking. You will enjoy pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds.
What is the walking level?
Most walks in northeast Sardinia are easy to moderate and suitable for active people.
What should you bring?
Good walking shoes
If you prefer, you can also bring walking poles
Sun protection
Daypack
Plenty of water
Guidance
Our local guides make all the difference—especially on less marked trails and, of course, through their in-depth knowledge of the area we're walking through.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Is northeast Sardinia suitable for a first hiking holiday?
Absolutely. The diverse and gentle landscape makes this an ideal region for beginner hikers.
Do I need to rent a car during a hiking holiday?
No, guided hiking holidays include transfers. This allows you to truly relax.
Is hiking in Sardinia challenging?
No, definitely not. Most routes are easily accessible and are adapted to the group's level.
Can I combine hiking with learning about the culture and local cuisine?
Absolutely. It's precisely this combination that makes a hiking holiday in Sardinia so special.
Conclusion
A walking holiday in Sardinia's northeast will show you the island like a road trip never could. It is slow, pure, and full of meaning. You will walk through landscapes that have followed the same rhythm for centuries—and you will naturally become part of it.
✨ Want to not just see Sardinia, but truly experience it? Discover our walking holidays in northeast Sardinia and see how special slow travel can be.
👉 Browse the offerings from Experience Hikes and get inspired.
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