Foresta di Montarbu
Places
Park·Moderate·Scenic·Popular

Foresta di Montarbu

Sardinia

This reserve in the Ogliastra highlands protects one of Sardinia's most extensive holm oak forests, growing across a landscape of granite outcrops and deep ravines around the Rio Bau Mela. Nineteenth and twentieth-century lead and silver mining left scattered ruins through the woodland, now slowly being reclaimed by the forest. Mouflon and wild boar are both regularly seen, and the area remains one of the least visited forest reserves on the island.

Duration
3.5 hours
Distance
8 km
Elevation
+350 m
Best season
April – October

Highlights

  • Extensive ancient holm oak forest
  • Ruins of historic lead and silver mines
  • Regular mouflon sightings

With your dog

Forest tracks past old mining ruins; dogs on leash.