INSIDE GORROPU – SARDINIA’S GREATEST GORGE

GORROPU – ARE YOU EXPLORING A GORGE OR A CANYON?

In Italian Gorropu is defined as Gola, which is, strictly speaking, a gorge.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a gorge as “a narrow passage through land or a narrow steep-walled canyon or part of a canyon” [source].

It also defines a canyon as ” a deep narrow valley with steep sides and often with a stream flowing through it” [source].

So if your friends ask, while you’ll be walking through a canyon to reach Gorropu, your destination is actually a gorge.

HOW WIDE IS GORROPU?

Imagine a 1,5 km long gorge that cuts 500 metres deep into a huge mountain from the top of Mount Cucutos (m. 888).

There, you’ll be walking among white and golden rock walls that in some parts are just between 4 and 5 metres apart.

GEOLOGY – WALKING THE JURASSIC GORGE

Do you know what happens to the skeletons of animals when millions of years of chemical reactions and pressure do their work? They become the massive limestone plateau that in Sardinia is called Supramonte.

Geologically, this is a massive sediment block that originated between 190 and 60 million years ago, during the periods called Jurassic and Cretaceous.

Quite possibly, you will be walking between walls that once were dinosaurs and underwater Jurassic plants.

Still today, you can see traces of fossils sedimented in the rocks. Shells of various shape, sea urchins and gastropods – molluscs with no spine – reveal the marine origin of these mountains.

IS THERE A RIVER RUNNING THROUGH IT LIKE A REAL CANYON?

Yes, there is. And while the Flumineddu river might look like nothing more than a dry riverbed on any summer day, don’t be fooled.

Winter rain from all over the surrounding rock tableau concentrates in the Flumineddu and continues its million-of-years erosion process.

And if you don’t see much water flowing now, it’s because water keeps on flowing underground, only coming to the surface when it meets a dense shale Paleozoic rock layer.

WILDLIFE – WHICH ANIMALS YOU ARE MOST LIKELY TO MEET

Animals of the Park usually stay away from trekking routes.

However, you might see in the distance mouflons, European pine martens, wild boars, wild cats, foxes, and dormice.

Additionally, you might hear and see flying over your head the rare golden eagle.

Finally, in the resurgent-water pools of the Flumineddu river, you might find the Sardinian Brook Salamander (Euproctus platycephalus) and the rare Sardinian trout (Salmo trutta macrostigma).

Move carefully and approach silently if you wish to get them on camera.

ARE THERE UNIQUE PLANTS?

At Gorropu you’ll definitely find rare plant species.

Among them is the Gorropu Columbine, which grows exclusively in the gorge and nowhere else in the world.

This plant has been included by the International Union for Conservation of Nature among the first 50 species of the Mediterranean threatened with extinction.

You’ll also find plants that look straight out of a Lord of The Rings adventure. That’s the case for a European yew (Taxus baccata) and a Phyllirea (Phillyrea latifolia) next to the gorge’s entrance. Both are over a thousand years old and with their shape look like grown by magic.

AM I VISITING A LEGENDARY LAND?

Yes, you are. Most legends are meant to scare people away from Gorropu.

Often finding storms of wood pigeons dead on the bottom of the gorge fuelled superstition.

Many legends tell about Sa Mama de Gorropu – the Mother of Gorropu – a dreadful creature that lives in the gorge.

Other tell about Sos Drullios who – like the evil trolls of the north-European mythology – come out of the gorge at night and drag away animals, men and even shepherds’ huts back to the dark caves where they live.

Another legend sees the gorge being the home of the devil – sa Tentassione as it’s called in Sardinia, the temptation. In fact, you could sell your soul to her in exchange for gold.

These superstitions are partly explained by the discrediting campaign mounted by the Christian church of any pre-existing pagan worship.

As for the dead wood-pigeons, the explanation is quite simple. It’s the strong air currents blowing in the gorge at odd angles that disorient the birds and makes them bump against the rocks.

ANCIENT TOWERS GUARD THE CANYON

Gorropu has always been a special place for Sardinians.

It was particularly useful in defensive warfare as enemy troops could be trapped there and defeated.

Historians use as proof the three Nuraghe – ancient stone fortresses used by Sardinians about 5000 years ago – that you can visit around the gorge’s entrance.

CAN YOU REALLY SEE THE STARS FROM THE DEEPEST POINT IN THE GORGE?

Many old men in the villages of Barbagia – the central region of Sardinia – tell that the lowest point in the gorge is so deep, so dark, and so protected by the high walls, that you can watch the stars during the day.

No scientist ever has proven this assumption to be true – or false. You’ll just have to discover it by yourself.

Check out this Video to get a sense of the road

Also, if you’ve already been to Gorropu or you’d simply explore other great natural monuments, have a look at our Top 10 Natural Monuments in Sardinia to get inspired.

WHERE TO SLEEP

While you can comfortably reach Gorropu from your hotel by car, there are two options recommended if you want to just wake up and be there.

The first is Hotel Gorropu at Ghenna Silana. Book a room with a view of the canyon to wake up in the right state of mind.

The second option is perfect for you if you are travelling Sardinia with a camper or if you are looking for a camping place.

A short walk from Ghenna Silana you’ll find the Camping Silana with its 25 camper spots, 25 tent plots, and 6 fully-equipped bungalows.

Hotel Gorropu, Ghenna Silana, Orientale Sarda SS 125 km 183 | +39-329-337-6026 | booking@hotelgorropu.com | Web | Preferential Conditions are available

Camping Silana, Ghenna Silana, Orientale Sarda SS 125 km 182,50 | +39-338-331-9191 | campingsilana@tiscali.it | Web

WHERE TO EAT

There aren’t any restaurants in Gorropu. Your best option is to have a hearty breakfast and pack your lunch.

Have your hotel prepare a basket or a lunch on the go.

If that’s unavailable, stop at any supermarket – that’s how grocery stores are called in Italy – and in the meat aisle have them prepare a sandwich (panino in Italian) with your preferred ingredients. By the way, while they can cut your salami or ham and add cheese, they will not add lettuce; just buy it separately and add it yourself.

If you are vegan or vegetarian, buy your ingredients separately and make your own sandwich.

Always remember to bring enough water with you, for the way to the gorge and the way back.

If you are buying a tour with Chìntula (see below), you can purchase a packaged lunch.

For dinner, the closest restaurant to Gorropu is the Silana Restaurant at the Hotel Gorropu. There you can taste Sardinian specialities like Culurgiones – one of the Top 10 Foods in Sardinia

Silana Restaurant, Hotel Gorropu, Ghenna Silana, Orientale Sarda SS 125 km 183 | +39-329-337-6026 | booking@hotelgorropu.com | Web

ARE THERE ANY TOURS AVAILABLE?

Yes, there are. The cooperative responsible for the canyon and the gorge offers five types of tours.

Scroll the pictures to choose the one you like the most. And reserve at the contact details below. At Chìntula they speak English, German, French and Spanish.

You may also reserve a packed lunch consisting of 1 local bread with cheese and/or local salami, 1 fruit and 1/2L of water for Euro 7,00. You can double the sandwich for an additional Euro 3,00.

If you are looking for a tailored-made tour with round trip transfer from your hotel anywhere in Sardinia, get in touch with a Travel Expert offering special conditions here

Chìntula Cooperative, Base Camp Gorropu, Orientale Sarda SS 125 km 185 | Tel and WhatsApp +39-389-420-8595 | info@gorropu.info