| Itinerary A4 ALGHERO BASED |
Startin from: Alghero OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
COD: A4
DAYS:6 Plus
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| Itinerary: A4 - Alghero Based - OFF THE BEATEN TRACK - Days: 6 Plus |
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Ulassai | This itinerary allows all the stunning scenery of Itinerary A2 but then takes a turn decidedly off the beaten track to allow a small taste of the Sardinian interior. The route passes Lanusei (situated on the side of a mountain affording sweeping panoramas across the bay of Arbatax and hinterland) and then allows a stop in Ulassai surrounded by mountain scenery, lesser known climbing and walking opportunities, fine red wines, and the peoples and hospitality traditional to the remote and beautiful Ogliastra zone of Sardinia. The return route passes through the heart of the Barbagia with an optional stop in the quiet but strongly traditional and little visited Gavoi. Travel is mostly by bus with a short stretch in train.
Whilst we have called this a 6 day Itinerary, we have allowed only one full day in the Dorgali area. You may instead decide to extend the itinerary by staying longer in this area overflowing with things to see and do. The itinerary could also be shortened by removing the last overnight stop in Gavoi.
Total transport cost for the Itinerary was around Euro 40 per person (Jun 2005).
Only Day 6 would be possible on Sundays, or better still is to try to spend Sunday as one of the non-travel days with Day 2 being more appropriate than day 4.
The following provides a day by day description of the itinerary idea, including also tables indicating the various stages of travel for each day. These tables do not contain the actual departure and arrival times of each leg of the journey which must be accessed directly from the web sites of the individual transport providers. Links are provided to the front pages of the relevant sites, and some notes are provided here which explain how we accessed the relevant timetable information from the sites which do not have English translations.
You can make a print of this itinerary description and fill in the relevant arrival and departure times for each leg in the spaces provided.
Before deciding to follow any one of the Itineraries or suggestions in this site we strongly recommend that you read also the sections contained herein on Suggestions and Hints, News, and General Disclaimer.
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1- OFF THE BEATEN TRACK |
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The stages of the journey for this day are shown in the table below. To obtain the actual departure and arrival times for each stage, use the links and the information included in accessing timetables.
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Cala Gonone |
This Itinerary presents possibly the fastest way by public transport to get from Alghero to the Dorgali and Cala Gonone area on the Island’s central East coast so that you can have as much time as possible to spend in and around this wonderful area jam packed with potential wilderness activities and indescribable beaches.
With this Itinerary you can be sitting (or lying) in the sun on the beach beside the port of Cala Gonone by late morning (with an early start from ALghero) or mid afternoon, gazing south towards the rugged coastline and wilderness planning your program of activities for the next few days.
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2- OFF THE BEATEN TRACK |
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Remain in Dorgali / Cala Gonone area. |
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Day 2 is spent taking in a little of what this wonderful area jam packed with potential wilderness activities and indescribable beaches has to offer.
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Gola de Gorropu (Dorgali) |
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Cala di Luna (Cala Gonone) |
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3- OFF THE BEATEN TRACK |
The stages of the journey for this day are shown in the table below. To obtain the actual departure and arrival times for each stage, use the links and the information included in accessing timetables.
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We have listed this as being Day 3, but in fact it would be very hard to tear yourself away from the Dorgali area after having had only 1 full day (Day 2) to enjoy its many possibilities. So if you
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Dorgali | can afford the time then you might decide to stay at least another day or two.
Select an early morning bus from Cala Gonone to Dorgali to ensure that you make the ongoing departure from Dorgali for Lanusei a little after 10am. You may find that there is no direct connection between one of the busses from Cala Gonone and this ongoing bus. As a result you may have a little time to kill in Dorgali (unless you have already spent the previous night in Dorgali). Have a wander around the town, or choose a bar in which to relax and read a book.
The bus trip south from Dorgali follows one of the more scenic routes in Sardinia, passing through the wildly rugged Supramonte of Dorgali and Baunei. As the road climbs up towards to the Pass of Genna Silana (1017m) there are ever improving views west towards the Supramonte of Oliena and over the Gorroppu Gorge. After the pass there are views over the deep valley of the Codula di Luna (which finishes at the back of the beach of Cala Luna) and finally spectacular views over the bay of Arbatax and Tortoli as the road descends again passing through the town of Baunei.
After passing across the plains behind Tortolì the route then climbs again to reach the town of Lanusei, where you arrive in the very early afternoon which should leave sufficient time for a leisurely walk between the two Bus stations and to grab a bite to eat before the journey continues.
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Genna Silana | The Bus trip from Lanusei to Ulassai (the bus may be signed to Tertenia) is only an hour but quite scenic affording views back towards Baunei and the mountainous region of the Supramonte (from where you have arrived earlier) then, following the pass, there are views of the very distinctive form of the Perda Liana mountain whilst in winter there are also views to the snow capped Gennargentu Range. After the pass the route winds through the towns of Gairo (and old Gairo), and Osini (and old Osini) before arriving at Ulassai mid afternoon. |
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4- OFF THE BEATEN TRACK |
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Day 4 can easily be spent in the town of Ulassai and surrounding areas, leaving plenty of time to explore some of the natural highlights, and to acclimatise to the pace and warmth of the local people and culture.
Of course if you find the pace a little too slow, or you strike bad weather, then you can anticipate your departure by heading off on Day 4 either for Gavoi and Alghero as described below, or for Cagliari by following Day 4 of Mainland Itinerary M3 and then Day 5 of Alghero Itinerary A3 for the return journey to Alghero.
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Culurgiones (Ussassai) |
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Ulassai | |
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5- OFF THE BEATEN TRACK |
The stages of the journey for this day are shown in the table below. To obtain the actual departure and arrival times for each stage, use the links and the information included in accessing timetables.
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Lanusei | There are not too many choices of bus for the trip from Ulassai back to Lanusei and you will probably find that you arrive mid morning leaving a few hours of wait before the Bus for Gavoi departs in the early afternoon. Mid morning is, however, the perfect time of day to arrive in the bustling little town of Lanusei (shortly to become a Provincial Capital) and the delay between buses allows time to wander around a little.
There are a few handicraft shops, and look out for the shops with the traditional Sardinian sweets (biscuits/cakes) displayed in the windows. Here's a good opportunity to try a few if you haven't had the chance yet during your visit. Several of the Bars in town have back windows or balconies which make the most of the wonderful panorama afforded by the town' s location so, when you are ready to relax, you can do so in one of these and read a book (or just take in the view).
The Bus trip from Lanusei to Gavoi (bus will probably indicate Macomer as destination) passes through the heart of the Gennargentu which are the highest mountains on the Island. The panoramas are enjoyable what-ever the season.
Gavoi itself is located at 700m elevation facing towards the higher peaks of the Gennargentu Range. A stroll around the renovated old section is rewarding, otherwise the several restaurants in town make this a good place to try out some of the local foods and wines.
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6- OFF THE BEATEN TRACK |
The stages of the journey for this day are shown in the table below. To obtain the actual departure and arrival times for each stage, use the links and the information included in accessing timetables.
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Gavoi |
The bus for the journey to Macomer is the same bus from which you alighted when you arrived on Day 5 which passes Gavoi in the mid afternoon, leaving time for a relaxed lunch before boarding, and arrives in Macomer an hour or so later.
From Macomer you have several transport options to choose from. The itinerary idea presented makes use of the FdS (ex PANI) bus which leaves macomer for Sassari around 1 hour after your arrival from Gavoi. Or you could opt to take the FS train to Sassari, which departs a little earlier but gets to Sassari a little later than the FdS bus. Both these arrive in Sassari in the early evening. Or, if a short stop in Sassari doesn't interest, you might find an ARST bus direct from Macomer to Alghero departing Macomer around the same time as the above options.
For the final leg of the journey from Sassari to Alghero you will probably find that there are a few train departures from which to choose, and there are also a few busses departing from the Sassari Bus Station. If you still have some energy, therefore, you could leave your bags in the left luggage at the Sassari train station and take a walk through the streets of Sassari which are alive at this hour. Why rush through to the finish of the Itinerary?
If you are doing this day on a Sunday, on the otherhand, then the shops will probably not be open, but a visit to the Duomo usually works well on a Sunday.
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