Gola su Gorropu

Gola di Gorroppu is one of the top day-trip destinations in Sardinia. It's the type of place that'll give you the distinct sensation of being very small in comparison the gigantic canyon walls, and even smaller in comparison to the forces of nature that gave way to this natural wonder. During heavy rains, it fills with a torrential river since the karstic landscape forces water out of the underground aquifers and onto the land. This is truly nature at her finest.

At the entrance to the canyon, there are guides who'll explain lots of details and facts to help you get the most out of your visit. I'd suggest taking a walk through the canyon in silence to really soak in the pristine environment.

After a two-hour trip parting from the bridge over the Flumineddu River (near the village of Dorgali), we arrived at Gola su Gorropu. To enter the canyon, you need to pay a 5 euro entrance fee and they give you a bit of information about the various routes and the local flora and fauna. There are three routes, but we only did the first two since the third leg was a bit more difficult. The huge boulders make the trail a bit tricky… you occasionally have to jump from one boulder to another, but it wasn't a problem. The views, though, make the hike completely worth it. If you go at a good rhythm, you'll be able to do the entire route in about 40 minutes.