An enticing new programme is seeking to transform a rugged corner of the Italian island into an outdoor lover’s paradise.
By Jackie Cooperman
Renowned for its pristine beaches and dramatic granite cliffs, the Italian island of Sardinia has long been known as a jet-setters’ paradise. But away from the mega yachts and glitterati of its glamorous Costa Smeralda resort, much of the Mediterranean’s second-largest island remains a rugged, unspoiled wilderness waiting to be explored.
Now, a group of hikers and former miners are hoping to lure adventure-seekers to Sardinia’s seldom-visited south-west coast by offering free lodging along the island’s stunning 500km Santa Barbara Mining Route.