Tag Archive for: Mountains

Red Porphyry Cliffs on the Beach near Marina di Gairo, Ogliastra, Sardinia, Italy

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The beach at Marina di Gairo is truly unique. Lush green pine forests cascade down the valley slopes towards a dark grey, almost black pebble beach. Adding to the dramatic scenery, the shoreline is framed by brilliant red and pink porphyry cliffs and the steep, rugged rock faces of Monte Ferru. Marina di Gairo lies south of Planargia Beach near Bari Sardo and can be reached via a scenic access road winding through the surrounding landscape. Read more

Fire Lookout on Monte Ferru

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Rising above the southern end of the fertile Bari Sardo plain, the isolated massif of Monte Ferru dominates the surrounding landscape. Its rocky summit stands 875 meters above the turquoise sea, and its solitary position promises sweeping panoramic views across the entire Ogliastra region on Sardinia’s eastern coast.
The panorama stretches from the long sandy shores of Planargia Beach past Arbatax to the Su Golgo plateau near Baunei, the rugged Supramonte Mountains, and the distinctive table mountains in the hinterland around Ulassai.
Monte Ferru’s eastern foothills extend all the way to the coast, creating a dramatic backdrop to the dark grey and black pebble beach at Marina di Gairo.
From my accommodation near Torre di Bari, I had occasionally noticed a mysterious glint of sunlight reflecting from the summit, sparking my curiosity. The prospect of spectacular views and unexpected discoveries was all the encouragement I needed to set out and explore the mountain. Read more

Punta Giradili (792 m) on Sardinia’s Rugged East Coast

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A Rock Climber on the Cliffs near Pedra Longa, Overlooking the Dramatic Rock Faces of Punta Giradili Rising Above the Turquoise Mediterranean Sea on Sardinia’s East Coast, Ogliastra, Italy

In the southern section of the Gulf of Orosei, the striking rock pinnacle of Pedra Longa, visible from miles away, rises from a small headland and marks the southern end of Sardinia’s wild eastern coastline, dominated by towering cliffs and rugged limestone mountains.
This remarkable landmark can be reached by road from Baunei, although its true beauty and impressive scale are best appreciated from a distance – perhaps from a boat or while hiking along the coast.
While the 80-meter-high rock pinnacle itself is the preserve of experienced climbers, some of the region’s spectacular cliffs, secluded coves, and dreamlike beaches can also be explored along less demanding hiking trails.
Even Punta Giradili (792 m), whose sheer rock faces plunge several hundred meters almost vertically into the sea and appear accessible only to skilled mountaineers, can be reached on foot. A section of the multi-day coastal trekking route Sentiero Selvaggio Blu leads across the more gently sloping terrain on the mountain’s inland side, approaching from the Golgo Plateau. Read more

The Mountain Village of Baunei Above the Tortolì Plain

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From Dorgali, one of Sardinia’s most spectacular mountain roads, the Orientale Sarda (SS125), winds through the fertile valley of the Riu Flumineddu before climbing towards the barren limestone plateaus of the wild Supramonte Mountains.
This breathtaking journey through rugged peaks and rocky highlands, lush green valleys, and narrow gorges eventually reaches the mountain village of Baunei at the southern end of the crossing. From here, the road descends in sweeping bends towards Lotzorai, the fertile Tortolì Plain, and the Bay of Arbatax.
From the center of Baunei, another road branches off towards the Su Golgo Plateau, initially climbing steeply through a series of tight hairpin bends.
The plateau is a wonderful starting point for numerous hikes through narrow gorges and dramatic rocky landscapes, with trails leading all the way down to secluded, picture-perfect coves along the Mediterranean coast, including Cala Sisine and Cala Goloritzé. Read more

Cala Gonone in the Gulf of Orosei

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Cala Gonone is the only settlement along the wild, rugged coastline of the Gulf of Orosei. Nestled in a truly spectacular setting, it is separated from the island’s interior by a rocky ridge of the Supramonte Mountains, lying between the deep blue Mediterranean Sea and towering mountain peaks.
The dramatic scenery rivals that of some of Italy’s most famous coastal regions, including the Amalfi Coast, the Cinque Terre, and the Cilento Riviera. Read more

Dawn over the Karwendel

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The last stars still outshine the slowly brightening morning sky over the Karwendel. As the Earth rotates towards the sun, the sky cycles through the entire colour spectrum until the first direct sunbeams spread a comforting warmth on this frosty November morning. This time, I’m enjoying the ever-impressive experience of a quiet and peaceful sunrise on the summit of Roßstein (1,697 m) in the Bavarian Alps. Read more

Panorama from Roßstein (1,697m)

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The summit of Roßstein (1,697 m) in the Isarwinkel is a powerful place with a 360-degree panorama and the option of magnificent sunrises and sunsets. Roßstein and the slightly higher Buchstein (1,702 m) form a twin peak, between which the Tegernseer Hütte has found a scenic and sheltered spot in the saddle, often compared to an eagle’s nest. Read more