Limestone walls up to 500 metres high, boulders white as icebergs, silence broken only by the Rio Flumineddu: Gorropu is Europe's deepest canyon and one of the Mediterranean's most powerful natural experiences.
Three ways in
From Sa Barva (the Flumineddu bridge, Dorgali side) the trail follows the river for 2 hours: the gentlest, most scenic way. From Genna 'e Silana on the SS125 you drop a steep 650 vertical metres: spectacular, but the climb back is tough. Third option: local guides for canyoning in the upper gorge — ropes, jumps and emerald pools.
Inside the gorge
Past the entrance you walk among giant boulders as the walls narrow to a few metres. The first 500 metres suit everyone; beyond, green then red dots mark increasingly alpine passages. Look for the endemic Gorropu columbine, which grows nowhere else on Earth.
Our tips
- Start early: sun enters the gorge late but the walk back is exposed.
- Proper lugged soles: the polished boulders are unforgiving.
- In high summer consider the jeep shuttles that shorten the approach.
- Afterwards, culurgiones in an Urzulei restaurant are the right reward.