The Selvaggio Blu (Wild Blue) is not a trail. It's a 6-7 day traverse along the eastern escarpment of the Gennargentu massif, where limestone cliffs drop 400-800 meters to the Golfo di Orosei. There is no marked path. There are no water sources. Navigation requires GPS, scrambling ability, and in some sections, abseiling (rappelling) down cliff faces. This is the most demanding multi-day trek in Italy — closer to a mountaineering expedition than a hike. It was first traced in 1987 by Mario Verin and Peppino Cicalò, who spent years finding a route along the coast that connected ancient shepherd paths, charcoal-burner tracks, and goat trails. The reward: swimming in turquoise coves accessible only on foot, sleeping on cliff-edge bivouacs, and seeing Sardinia's coast in its most primal state. Sardinia → · Gennargentu →
Plan my Sardinia adventure →6-7 stages from Pedra Longa (near Baunei) to Cala Sisine (or reverse). Total distance: approximately 45-50km. Total ascent/descent: over 6,000m cumulative. Daily challenge: 6-10 hours of walking, scrambling (some sections require use of hands), and 2-4 abseils per day on fixed ropes (installed by guides at the start of each season). No water on the route. You carry everything or resupply via pre-arranged boat drops at beach bivouacs. Camping on cliff-edge ledges, in sea caves, and on hidden beaches. The sea is your shower, your pool, and your reward at the end of every brutal day.
Option 1 (recommended): Guided trek. Several experienced Sardinian operators offer the full Selvaggio Blu with guide, rope management, food, and logistical support. €800-1,500/person for 6-7 days (varies by operator and group size). Operators: Corrado Conca (the recognized expert — selvaggioblu.it), Sardinia Adventure (experienced), Cooperativa Goroppu (Urzulei-based). Book 2-3 months ahead for summer slots. Option 2: Self-guided. Only for experienced mountaineers with abseiling skills, GPS navigation, and wilderness bivouacking experience. You need to arrange your own resupply (boats to beaches). This is NOT a self-guided option for hikers.
Season: May-June and September-October. July-August: dangerously hot (40°C+ on exposed rock with no shade). Fitness: You need to be very fit — 6-10 hours of rough terrain daily for a week. Train for 3-6 months before. Gear: harness and helmet (for abseils), 30m rope (usually guide-provided), sleeping bag, bivvy bag or ultralight tent, 4L water capacity, headlamp, GPS device. Getting there: Baunei or Santa Maria Navarrese (start/end points). From Olbia airport: 2.5h. From Cagliari: 3h. Combine with: Cala Goloritze (one of the trek's beaches), Gennargentu, Golfo di Orosei boat tour (the gentle version of seeing the same coast).