Self-Launched Selvaggio Blu Trek: Sardinia's Wild Blue Trail
7 days · Sardinia, Italy
Much Better Adventures charges £1,595
No-markup version: ~£415 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of Italy's hardest trek — the 40km Selvaggio Blu ('Wild Blue') along Sardinia's east coast, with 4,200m of vertical gain, five abseils and two via ferratas. The commercial version bundles a certified mountain guide, full porterage, all meals and wild-camp logistics. Doing it independently means either hiring a local IFMGA/UIAGM guide on a private or shared basis (essential — the route crosses exposed abseils and via ferrata that should not be attempted unroped), self-organising the 4x4 luggage drops or walking self-supported with a full pack, and wild camping in the permitted spots. Transport is via public bus/train from Cagliari to Santa Maria Navarrese and a return boat from Cala Sisine. Costs below are rough backpacker estimates and assume a shared private guide fee split between 2-4 people; a solo traveller hiring a guide alone will pay considerably more.
Day-by-day
Arrive Cagliari, transfer to Santa Maria Navarrese
Cagliari → Santa Maria Navarrese
Land at Cagliari Elmas Airport (CAG). Rather than a group transfer, take the local ARST/CST bus or the Trenitalia regional train from Cagliari to Tortolì/Arbatax (roughly 2.5–3 hrs, ~£8–12), then a short local bus or shared taxi to Santa Maria Navarrese (~£3–5). Check into a budget guesthouse or B&B for the night. In the afternoon meet your hired mountain guide for a briefing and kit check — book a local Sardinian guide (e.g. via the Selvaggio Blu specialist operators in Baunei/Santa Maria Navarrese) well in advance; confirm rope, harness, via ferrata kit and abseil gear hire. Eat a hearty Sardinian dinner (culurgiones, porceddu) — this is your last comfortable night.
🚌Public bus/train Cagliari → Tortolì/Arbatax (~£8–12), then local bus/taxi to Santa Maria Navarrese (~£3–5)
🛏Budget guesthouse/B&B, Santa Maria Navarrese (twin share ~£25–40 pp)
- →Guide briefing & kit check
- →Explore Santa Maria Navarrese old town and beach
- →Sardinian dinner
Into the wild: Pedra Longa to Monte Ginnirco
Pedra Longa → Monte Ginnirco
Short transfer or walk to Pedra Longa, the official start of the Selvaggio Blu. Follow the panoramic trail along the coast, climbing the steep rocky ledge of Punta Giradili for sweeping views over the Arbatax Gulf. With your guide, rope up where needed for the first scrambling sections. Set a wild camp in the forest and cook dinner under the stars (or use a pre-arranged 4x4 luggage drop if you've paid for porterage support).
🚌Local transfer/walk to Pedra Longa start (~£5); jeep luggage drop if booked (shared cost)
🛏Wild camping (own tent), forest near Monte Ginnirco
- →Trek Pedra Longa to Monte Ginnirco (7hrs, 13km, 1050m up)
- →Scrambling on Punta Giradili cliffs
Clifftop traverse to Genna 'e Mudrecu Ridge
Monte Ginnirico → Genna 'e Mudrecu
Hike along the edge of a 200m cliff above the sea, following the Capo Monte Santo crag. Keep an eye out for Eleonora's Falcon. Descend to the limestone fjord of Portu Pedrosu for a swim and lunch, then follow the mule track through holly oak and juniper forest past abandoned shepherds' huts to a panoramic ridge where you camp. If using luggage support, the 4x4 meets you at the ridge with gear and food.
🚌On foot; pre-arranged 4x4 luggage drop if booked (shared cost)
🛏Wild camping (own tent), Genna 'e Mudrecu ridge
- →Trek (7hrs, 13km, 710m up, 1100m down)
- →Swim at Portu Pedrosu fjord
- →Spot Eleonora's Falcon
Via ferrata to Su Porteddu via Cala Goloritzè
Genna 'e Mudrecu → Cala Goloritzè → Su Porteddu
Early start to catch sunrise over the sea. Hike toward Punta Salinas overlooking the Orosei Gulf, then descend to the famous Cala Goloritzè — a white pebble beach beneath the 128m Punta Caroddi rock needle. Spend a few hours swimming, then climb scree and tackle a 30m via ferrata with your guide before reaching the Su Porteddu campsite. Note: Cala Goloritzè has a daily visitor cap — check local rules.
🚌On foot; pre-arranged 4x4 luggage drop if booked (shared cost)
🛏Wild camping (own tent), Su Porteddu
- →Trek (8hrs, 8.5km, 620m up)
- →30m via ferrata
- →Swim at Cala Goloritzè
Abseils and exposed passages to Bacu Padente
Su Porteddu → Bacu Padente
The most technical day: cross difficult terrain including a 23m abseil, with your guide managing the rope and belay. Traverse exposed passages with vertigo-inducing views over the emerald sea, past limestone cliffs and hidden coves. Camp near Su Padente Canyon and celebrate with a big wilderness dinner.
🚌On foot; pre-arranged 4x4 luggage drop if booked (shared cost)
🛏Wild camping (own tent), near Su Padente Canyon
- →Trek (8hrs, 13km, 450m up, 970m down)
- →23m abseil with guide
Final push: rope descents and via ferrata to Cala Sisine
Bacu Padente → Cala Sisine
The final stage — four rope-assisted descents (25m to 45m) and a 40m via ferrata section through wild scenery. Arrive at the dreamy cove of Cala Sisine beneath Punta Plummare. Take a celebratory dip, then a farewell dinner at the nearby campsite where you spend the night.
🚌On foot
🛏Campsite at Cala Sisine (tent pitch ~£10–15 pp)
- →Trek (5hrs, 8km, 620m up)
- →Four abseils (25–45m) + 40m via ferrata
- →Celebratory swim at Cala Sisine
Boat along the coast and departure
Cala Sisine → Santa Maria Navarrese → Cagliari
Relax with a swim at Cala Sisine. Mid-morning take the seasonal boat (or arranged water taxi) from Cala Sisine back along the coast to Santa Maria Navarrese (~1.5 hrs), passing the coves you just traversed on foot. From Santa Maria Navarrese, take the bus/train back to Cagliari (~£8–12) in time for an evening flight. Arrivederci!
🚌Boat Cala Sisine → Santa Maria Navarrese (~£20–30), then bus/train to Cagliari (~£8–12)
🛏None (departure day)
- →Morning swim at Cala Sisine
- →Coastal boat ride
- →Return to Cagliari
Self-launched vs. Much Better Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Much Better Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£415 | £1,595 |
| Duration | 7 days | 7 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,180 per person (74%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Much Better Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£415
estimated per person
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Selvaggio Blu Trek: Sardinia's Wild Blue Trail cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £415 per person for 7 days in Sardinia, Italy. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Much Better Adventures?+
Yes — Much Better Adventures charges around £1,595 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £415 — a saving of roughly £1,180 (74%) per person.
How long is the Sardinia, Italy trip?+
This itinerary runs 7 days, covering 7 day-by-day stops through Sardinia, Italy.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, backpacker trip through Sardinia, Italy, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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