The environment and parks in Sardinia

Among the most famous national parks that you can visit in the north-west of Sardinia, there is the national park of Asinara, ex penitentiary area, now destination for many history and nature lovers. Today the environment of the isle is still intact, clean, rich in woods and wild animals.

Asinara is made of an area with a great charm thanks to the historical and landscape features which distinguish it and it is an unforgettable island for the presence of blue sea, very clear and rich of fish.

Every day ferries bring tourists coming from everywhere, leaving from Stintino and Porto Torres to the old villages of the isle (Fornelli, Cala Reale, Cala d’Oliva),letting them take pictures of the multi-colored coasts.

Since the landing, you can admire, almost as enchanted, on a granite background, wide green fields, many bushes of colored Euphorbia and elegant horses.

Various field trips start from Fornelli, on bus, train or off-roads vehicles, which lead to the discovery of the dramatic prison structures and the wonderful still uncontaminated pink beaches.

A little more northern it is possible to visit the village of Cala d’Oliva, once inhabited by fishermen and later, until prisons have been open, by police officers and their families.

Among the numerous attractions stand out the Camaldolese monastery, built in 1100, which gave the name to the integral reserve of Cala di Sant’Andrea, and the very ancient domus de janas of the prenuragic period (dating back to a prehistoric era going from 450000 until 1800 BC).

In the smooth sea in front of Cala Reale was recently found even the load of a Roman boat of the 4th-5th century, brought to the spotlight by the Superintendence of Sassari.

The experience on the isle is made unforgettable also by the presence of white donkeys, sweet and tame, and grey ones, more attentive and alert. Groups of mouflons move fast among sun-drenched rocks.

Even the suburbs of Alghero, a city on the west coast of Sardinia, arouse great emotions for the presence of breath-taking sights and unforgettable panoramas.

In its territory it is possible to explore the interesting Regional Natural Park of Porto Conte and the wonderful Protected Maritime Area of Capo Caccia.

The whole area was defined by Jacques Cousteau as “one of the most beautiful spot of the Mediterranean” and it is still visited today by thousands of people.

The park reaches out 5350 hectares and comprehends the wildlife oasis of “Le Priogionette ”, the area of Capo Caccia, Punta Giglio and Calich laguna.

The territory of the park, so wide and rich of cultural and environmental splendors, can be visited by foot or, in the area where it is allowed, by car.

Presently there are many signaled paths perfect for Trekking lovers or for those who just want to take a stroll away.

For those who would like to enjoy the panorama effortlessly it is possible to use electrical means more comfortable and funny that are available in the park. Panoramic view points and the exclusive endemism of the island can be reached even by riding a bicycle.

The park is made up of various naturalistic areas of great beauty like Punta Giglio, the hills of Palmavera and Doglia and the wildlife oasis of "Le Prigionette". In particular in the latter the park makes at your disposal the skillful exclusive guides of Exploralghero who follow the visitors through every corner of the natural reserve.

The expert guides speak various languages, organize wine and food events, playful activities for children and personalized itineraries.

During the exploration of the territory it is possible to admire very high white cliffs like those of Cala Barca or the majestic ones of Capo Caccia, decorated by very old fossils.

Very close to the coast, the beautiful isles called Piana and Foradada host nesting species like the Hydrobates pelagicus, the Calonectris diomedea and the Phalacrocorax aristotelis.

For those tourists who like to get some tan, all along the coast there are beautiful crystalline beaches bathed by a fresh and blue sea.

The vegetation of the entire island is dominated by Mediterranean scrub and is made up, in particular, of mastic, euphorbia and dwarf palm trees (Chamaerops humilis), but you can also admire the endemic one, characterized by the Centaurea Horrida and the Astragalo Terracianoi.

For animals lovers and kids’ happiness, in the area of "Le Prigionette" it is possible to meet many species of protected birds like the griffin or the pilgrim hawk. Exploralghero guides organize small safaris which let you meet Sardinian boars, deers, white donkeys and typical Sardinian tiny horses named "cavallini della Giara".

The discovery of this precious environmental patrimony is always accompanied by the wonderful scent of the aromatic essences typical of the territory.

Among the other Sardinian parks that you have to visit there’s the National Park of Arcipelago de La Maddalena, which is a protected geo-marine area made up by a wide set of islands. In the isle of "La Maddalena" we find the city, but there are also other bigger islands to visit like Caprera and Santa Maria.

An important Protected Marine Area is in the isle of Tavolara, which comprehends Capo Coda Cavallo and the coast of San Teodoro.

You can take wonderful excursions also in other parks in the south of Sardinia like the park of Molentargius, which comprehends the pond area close to Cagliari, or the geo-mining park of Sulcis, in the south-west of Sardinia.