Deep canyons, gigantic crags and arduous accesses to the sea: this is the Supramonte. Ancient land, forsaken and wild, Sardinia is rich in history and legends. Its nature is so peculiar and vary that many consider it a continent in miniature.
Visiting the territory of Baunei and not walking S’istrada Longa is almost a sacrilege. This itinerary speaks the life of these mountains and of the people who dwelled here for centuries. It is the place where silences, voices, shapes and perfumes merge in a distilled essence of nature.
Century-old oaks and Yew trees create the natural frame for a canvas painted with the bright colours of glorious peony, foxglove and helichrysum flowerings. Pointing the nose to the sky one cannot spot any white airplane lines but circles sketched by golden eagles and kestrels, pierced by rapid hawks nose-diving to their prey.
Ancient passages created by shepherds, used to steer their flocks away from cliffs, will lead us to the bottom of a woody canyon, down to the enormous arch S’Arcada Manna. On the other side of the arch, there’s only one way to climb up the parallel canyon. This is a thin ledge found at about 50 metres of height, adorned with young juniper trees and a view that can take your breath away.
Walking on this passageway, so narrow and exposed, feels like crossing a Tibetan bridge. It gets really narrow on some parts, offering adrenaline rushes and spectacular views to the canyon below.
Important note about this itinerary
S’Istrada Longa is mostly famous for its long and exposed ledge. It is located halfway up the side of a very high and vertical cliff. The ledge gets as narrow as 40cm and participants should use their hands to lean against the wall.
It is paramount that all participants do not suffer any form of anxiety, vertigo, acrophobia or agoraphobia.