Nuoro - Region Attractions

Fonni is the starting point for the ascent (4 hours, with guide), of Bruncu Spina (1,829m/6,036ft; panoramic views), the northern peak of the Gennargentu massif, from which the southern peak, Punta la Marmora (1,834m/6,052ft), can be climbed (0.75 hours).

Bari Sardo (50m/166ft), from which there is a view of the Gennargentu massif. The road continues, with many bends, through lonely hill country.

3km/2 mi beyond Macomer S.S. 129 this goes off on the left to the village of Suni (23km/14 mi: extensive views) and, 6km/3.75 mi beyond this, the little port of Bosa (10m/33ft; pop. 8,000), with the castle of Serravalle (1112). 16km/10 mi south of Suni lies Cuglieri (479m/1,581ft; pop. 5,000), on the lower slopes of Monte Ferru (1,050m/3,465ft), an extinct volcano.

From Dorgali a side road (7km/4.25mi) winds its way down to the little port of Cala Gonone (25m/83ft). Beyond Dorgali the road passes through beautiful montainous country.

Dorgali (387m/1,277ft; pop. 8,000) is a little town situated on the slopes of Monte Bardia (882m/2,911ft). Notable is the Museo Civico Archeologico.

In the surrounding area of Dorgali are a number of beautiful stalactitic caves (Grotta Toddeitu, Grotta del Bue Marino and Grotta Ispinigoli) and the rock-cut tombs, the so-called domus de janas. 11km/7 mi northwest of Dorgali is the nuraghic village of Serra Orrios.

6km/3.75mi northeast of Siniscola is the developing resort of La Caletta.

From Tortoli there is a very attractive trip, first on S.S. 198 through the Ogliastra uplands, with hills of crystalline limestone, sometimes in curiously contorted shapes, to Lanusei (595m/1,964ft; pop. 5,000), Seui (800m/2,640ft) and the Cantoniera di Santa Lucia; then on S.S. 128 and S.S. 131 to Cagliari. Beyond Tortoli S.S. 125 follows a winding course through the southeastern part of the Ogliastra region.

Macomer (563m/1,858ft; pop. 11,000) is situated on a high plateau of basalts and trachytes on the slopes of the Catena del Marghine, with beautiful far-ranging views. In front of the church of Macomer are three Roman milestones found in the area. Some of the best preserved nuraghi in Sardinia can be seen in the immediate surroundings of the town. Particularly fine is the nuraghe of Santa Barbara (648m/2,138ft; 45 minutes north), a conical structure on a high square base.

From Nuoro there is a beautiful drive south to the villages of Mamoiada (644m/2,125ft; costumes) and Fonni (1,000m/3,300ft; pop. 5,000), the highest village on the island of Sardinia. In the surrounding area are numerous nuraghi and "fairies' houses".

Shortly after the turning on the road from Nuoro to Olbia, we see on the left the well-preserved nuraghe of Losa, with a number of subsidiary structures.

Orosei (19m/63ft; pop. 5,000) is a village on the right bank of the River Cedrino and features a ruined castle.

Siniscola (42m/139ft; pop. 9,000), at the west end of a large coastal plain is renowned for its beautiful costumes. From Peniscola a panoramic road (edges not guarded) runs along the rocky ridge of Monte Albo (1,127m/3,719ft), through a region well stocked with wildlife, to Bitti (549m/1,812ft; pop. 6,000).

Tortoli (15m/50ft; pop. 8,000), at the beginning of an extensive plain. 5km/3mi east is the attractively situated little port of Arbatax (pop. 1,000), formerly also known as Tortoli Marina, which ships the agricultural produce and minerals of the Ogliastra region. Nearby are picturesque red porphyry cliffs.