1. Arrival day

We land at Cagliari (the capital of Sardinia) airport in the afternoon and can actually already see from the plane windows the scenery of our adventure for the next 5-6 days. Rugged cliffs that drop straight into the sea from heights of several hundred metres, and tiny sheltered beaches between the cliffs. Exciting and magnificent!

The transfer from the airport to the small village of Santa Maria Navarrese takes about 2 hours, and in the evening we have a delicious dinner at a local restaurant. Buon appetito!!

(Guesthouse, D)

1. Selvaggio Blu trekking day 1

The next morning we pack our backpacks and leave our extra belongings at the premises of the Italian trekking organiser to wait for our return in just under a week.

After breakfast we move to the start of the trail and set off walking towards a small old mountain hut about 800 metres higher up. For the next couple of hours we follow the seashore, and at the end of the hike we climb for about two to three hours up towards the hut.

When we arrive at the hut in the afternoon, Claudio (from the company organising the trek's logistics) is already there grilling a pig on a spit. He welcomes us and hands us glasses of aperitif and a huge antipasto platter. He has driven up to the hut in his four-wheel-drive jeep along an ancient road used by shepherds that does not appear on maps.

(Tent, B,L,D)

1. Selvaggio Blu trekking day 2

After breakfast we set off walking towards the seashore, where we will spend the next night. The day is relatively long, but there are no major technical difficulties on this second day, only occasionally slightly difficult terrain; otherwise it is traditional hiking. Harnesses or ropes are not needed.

After about 5-6 hours of hiking and magnificent scenery we arrive at the beaches of Portu Cuau or Portu Pedrosu and make camp there. We jump into the sea to wash off the day's sweat and enjoy our exciting swimming spot.

Soon Claudio arrives by boat at the beach at the end of the mini-fjord, and we help him carry our camping equipment and food to the beach. Each of us finds a suitable sleeping spot in the nooks of the beach, and we have dinner as the stars twinkle. An unforgettable day!

(Tent, B,L,D)

1. Selvaggio Blu trekking day 3

The third day is much like the second: no technical difficulties but relatively long. And naturally magnificent scenery around us all the time.

The day's hike ends with a steep path of two to three hundred metres down to the famous Cala Goloritze beach. In summer the beach is a popular tourist beach with dozens if not hundreds of people coming every day (though I don't understand how they fit there!), even though the walk there takes about 1-2 hours from the nearest car park.

After enjoying a tasty fish dinner with wine brought by Claudio on his boat, we admire the lights of the coastal villages visible on the northern horizon and fall asleep to the soft sound of the waves.

(Tent, B,L,D)

1. Selvaggio Blu trekking day 4

On the fourth trekking day we walk uphill along a steep path for a while, and then we put on harnesses and climb up a steep gully of about 20-30 metres while the guide secures our ascent with a rope. After this the trek continues again high above on top of tall cliffs with the sea shimmering far below. Rugged!

During the day there are still a couple of rope descents before we arrive at our overnight spot, Grotta di Fico. This "Fig Cave" is a popular tourist destination in summer, with thousands of people coming by boat to admire the cave among cliffs rising straight from the sea. Claudio arrives again by boat and brings us the evening's treats.

After a long and demanding day and a good dinner, sleep comes quickly, even though the unusual place to stay may feel a little exciting!

(Cave, B,L,D)

1. Selvaggio Blu trekking day 5

As on the previous day, this trekking day from the "Fig Cave" to Cala Sisine beach is a little technical; we put on harnesses a couple of times. There are a couple of short climbing sections and descents, and one quite long and exciting descent of up to about 40-50 metres.

In the afternoon we arrive at Cala Sisine beach and jump into the sea for a swim. The accommodation is a small restaurant right next to the beach and the fields around it. We pitch our tents next to the restaurant.

(Tent, B,L,D)

1. Selvaggio Blu trekking day 6

The last trekking day is easy terrain, flat walking near the shore from Cala Sisine to Cala Luna, a magnificent and popular swimming beach. At this time of year, though, there are often not many people left on the beaches.

After waiting 1-2 hours on the beach, Claudio arrives to pick us up by boat back to the starting point of the trek, Santa Maria Navarrese. During the one-hour boat trip we see almost the entire trekking route we walked over the previous days, winding across and among rugged cliffs.

(Guesthouse, B,L)

1. Day, return to Finland

Transfer to Cagliari airport for return flights

(B)

Passport and visa

EU citizens have the right to travel freely within EU member states if they have either a valid passport or a national identity card. The travel document must be valid on the day of travel.

Difficulty level

The Selvaggio Blu trekking route is fairly demanding: some of the trekking days are long, and the route includes technical climbing and/or large ascents. The trip package includes the local organiser's logistics service: in the morning the camping equipment is taken away and brought to the next camp site in the evening, along with dinner. On trekking days you carry your own daypack. You will manage on the trek with good general fitness and motivation and by packing smartly, but the better your physical condition, the more you get out of the trekking days.

Equipment (if ski trip)

A large bag (preferably waterproof) for carrying your sleeping bag, camping gear and spare clothes

For daily use:

• Backpack (30 litres)

• Headlamp + spare batteries

• Hiking boots with a stiff sole

• Spare clothes (underwear)

• Swimsuit

• Long, hard-wearing trousers + shorts

• Warm wool sweater or fleece

• Waterproof jacket

• Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen

• Insect repellent

• Towel and basic toiletries

• Personal medication

Eating:

• Knife, fork and spoon

• Metal or plastic plate

• Metal or plastic mug

Sleeping:

• Sleeping bag (three-season, suitable for 0/+5 °C temperatures)

• Sleeping mat.