A Guide To Hiking Gorropu Canyon: 5 Best Trails

Su Gorropu Canyon is a natural formation that divides Orgosolo’s and Urzulei’s municipalities, in the heart of Sardinian Supramonte. It was excavated by millennia of water flowing, especially by the Rio Flumineddu, but also by the rain and ancient geological events.

Make sure to read my post A Guide To Supramonte, Sardinia for more incredible places to visit in the area.

The canyon is about 1,500 meters long (about 5,000 feet). In its deepest parts it goes as deep as 500 meters (1,640 feet). This makes it one of the biggest canyons in Europe.

The area’s features and the canyon’s unique conformation have, with time, created a special micro-environment. Here, both common plants and animals, and endemic species that only live here, coexist peacefully and prosperously.

Of course, such a wonderful natural beauty enjoys its amount of fame. It’s one of Sardinia’s top hiking and climbing destinations.

Tons of visitors choose to adventure here and spend an incredible day immersed in the wildest heart of Sardinian nature. Of course I recommend going with the right equipment and usually with an expert guide. Indeed, Su Gorropu Canyon hike can be quite challenging. Don’t underestimate it.

Since I have hiked most of the trails in the area, I thought I’d share some basic information that would help you to pick a trail and make the most of it.

Check out my posts The Best Hikes In Sardinia and Where To Go Climbing In Sardinia.

Gorropu Canyon Hiking Trails

There are several Gorropu hiking trails, suitable for different types of people of varying difficulty levels, from easy-medium ones to extremely challenging ones.

The best starting points are from Urzulei and Dorgali. Many hotels in the area organize group hikes with a guide, so check with your accommodation. Here is a list of the most popular trails.

Ghenna Silana

Ghenna Silana (you may also find it written as Genna Silana) Gorropu hiking trail starts from the homonymous pass. This is a challenging hike into the Gorropu Canyon because the trail is very steep. The trail is about 4 km (2.5 miles) and 2 hrs long (one-way), and it’s a mix of simple hikes and incredible scenic views.

Every part of the hike is well-signaled by green, yellow, and red patches, and it’s absolutely forbidden to try and take a different path than the one marked, as you might get lost very easily.

The walk is filled with ancient traces of human life, and lucky encounters with the local fauna, and will lead you through the canyon’s bottom by following the Rio Flumieddu River’s course.

Once you reach the end of the hike – and the info point on site – you can decide if you want to hike your way back or wait for a jeep to take you again to Ghenna Silana Pass. Alternatively, you can also continue all the way to Sa Barva Bridge and end up in Dorgali – this is only doable if you have someone picking you up from there!

Keep in mind the trail is a steep downhill on the way to the canyon, which means it is a steady uphill walk on the way back.

Campo Base Gorropu

The hike that starts from Campo Base (the base camp) is the easiest one of the many you can join. A jeep brings you from the camp to a pretty area nearby the Rio Flumineddu, from where you can start making your way through the incredible scenery of the canyon.

This Gola di Gorropu hike is about 45 minutes long and the jeep will then bring you back to the base camp.

Sa Barva Bridge trail

One of the nicest trails leading to Gorropu Gorge – and in fact my favorite – the Sa Barva Bridge trail, which starts in the parking lot by the Ponte di S’Abba Arva, is of moderate difficulty.

The trail begins roughly 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) outside of Dorgali and will take you on a 14-kilometer (8.7 miles) hike (out and back) crossing the Sa Barva bridge and continuing towards Gorropu Canyon. The hike takes between 4 and 5 hours of solid walking in total.

You will walk for around two hours along the Rio Flumineddu all the way to the mouth of the gorge. Closer to the entrance of the gorge you will find some nice natural pools but depending on the season there really isn’t much water. The overall hike (there and back) takes between 4 and 5 hours.

S’Abba Arva

This is the longest and most challenging Gorropu hike and it requires a high level of stamina, so don’t try it if you aren’t used to strong physical activity.

The 13 kilometers (about 8 miles) starting from the Abba Arva Bridge are a showcase of everything that you can see in the Gorropu Canyon, from the most common plants to the rarest rock formations.

There is a huge variety of challenges and obstacles, so always keep in mind to proceed with extra care.

Complete Gola di Gorropu Hike

This is the longest Gorropu hike as it takes about 8 hours and it’s only available with a guide and for expert hikers – don’t attempt it if you are not fit. It crosses all of the canyon and its hidden corners so to show visitors the best of Su Gorropu Canyon.

Practical Guide For The Gorropu Canyon Hike

Tickets to Su Gorropu Canyon

While all trails to get to Su Gorropu Gorge (Gola Su Gorropu) are free to access, there is a fee to access the canyon itself. This is €5 for adults and €3,50 for kids. You can buy the Gola di Gorropu tickets at the kiosks at the various entrance points. Cash is preferred and you will be better off carrying small change.

Guided hikes

You can definitely hike to Gorropu Gorge independently, most trails are easy to follow if only a bit challenging. If you’d rather join a guided hike (if anything, because it includes transportation to the beginning of the trail), you will have several options, typically costing from €50 up for a tour that includes transportation.

I recommend this Gorropu Canyon guided hike that departs from Sa Barva bridge. It includes pick up and drop off from your hotel in either Dorgali or Orosei. There’s also this guided hike option with transfers from Cala Gonone.

This other guided hike to Gorropu Gorge follows the Genna Silana trail – the meeting point is in Urzulei. You’ll have to bring change to buy Gola di Gorropu tickets once you get to the canyon.

Alternatively, you could consider this guided hike that includes transportation from Orosei. You will have a knowledgeable tour guide that will be sharing lots of knowledge on the area.

How to get to Su Gorropu Canyon trailhead

Getting to Su Gorropu Canyon trailhead depends on where you are basing yourself and on which trail you wish to follow. Olbia and Nuoro are the closest towns; Cagliari is a bit further away for day trips to Su Gorropu area, but I have done it plenty of times and it is doable.

Here are some basic instructions to get to the main trailheads from both Olbia and Cagliari.

Ghenna Silana Trailhead

For the Ghenna Silana trailhead, you need to drive to Urzulei.

FROM OLBIA – If you are driving from Olbia, it is roughly 136 km/84.5 miles to Urzulei – a 2 hours drive. You will have take SS131 Diramazione Centrale Nuorese towards Nuoro and take the exit to Dorgali. Follow SS129 to Dorgali, and once there continue onto SS125 to Urzulei. From Urzulei take SP37 and SS125 Borgata Badualga. It’s an additional 15-minute drive to the area from Urzulei.

FROM CAGLIARI – If you are driving from Cagliari, it is 164 km/101.9 miles and a 2.5-hour drive along the SS125 to get to Urzulei. From Cagliari, get on the SS554 and follow the directions to Muravera/Tortolì. You will have to drive past Tortolì and continue to Urzulei. From Urzulei take SP37 and SS125 Borgata Badualga – it’s another 15 minutes from there.

Campo Base or Sa Barva Bridge Trailhead

For the Campo Base or Sa Barva Bridge trailhead, you need to get to Dorgali.

FROM OLBIA – From Olbia, it’s 103 km/64 miles to Dorgali, about 1.5 hours depending on traffic. You need to follow SS131 and take the exit to Dorgali. From Dorgali follow SS125 Borgata Badualga and drive for about 20 mins towards Su Gorropu. You will get to a parking lot where you will find a kiosk and that’s where the trail begins. Just keep your eyes out for the road to the parking lot as it is easy to miss. Coming from Dorgali, it will be on your right.

FROM CAGLIARI – From Cagliari, it’s 221 km/137.3 miles to Dorgali, and it takes 2 hours and 45 minutes. It seems long but it is doable! You need to follow SS131 northbound towards Sassari and take the exit to Nuoro. Then, follow SS129 to Dorgali. Once in Dorgali, follow SS125 Borgata Badualga and drive for about 20 mins towards Su Gorropu.

Best time to hike Su Gorropu Canyon

Gorropu Canyon is an excellent attraction almost year round. The microclimate makes for good weather and bearable temperatures from September to the end of April, and the only season when it’s absolutely not advised to hike the canyon is the summer, when the sun is too strong and temperatures too hot.

Another factor to keep in mind is, of course, rain: do not plan to hike Su Gorropu Canyon after a heavy storm or any abundant rain episode. The river has a strong current that still moves the canyon rocks sometimes, and the rocks themselves become extremely slippery. Any attempt to adventure in Su Gorropu after the rain is a foolish hazard: it’s easy to get hurt!

I have done the various hikes several times at different times of year, including once in June. April is definitely the best month to hike in the area: everything is blooming and temperatures are mild. When I hiked Su Gorropu in June, it was definitely too hot.

What to wear and pack for your Gorropu Canyon hike

Hiking Su Gorropu Canyon isn’t going to be a walk in the park, no matter which trail you choose to follow.

Running shoes are not recommended for a Gorropu Canyon hike – you’ll need to wear proper hiking boots. Make sure to wear comfortable hiking pants (or shorts, in the hottest months), a shirt (long or short sleeves, depending on the season) and, if you are hiking between October and April, bring layers such as a sweater and a wind and rain proof jacket.

I don’t recommend bringing hiking sticks as you will need your hands free for a good portion of the trail. On the other hand, pack a small emergency kit with bandaids and disinfectant.

You should also apply sunscreen and bug repellent, and wear a hat to shade you from the sun during the hottest hours.

Pack enough water and food for the hike as there’s nothing on the way, other than a kiosk at the parking lot for the Sa Barva Bridge trail.

Finally, you will need some change for the tickets and if you intend to buy a snack.

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