In the Golfo di Orosei, in the district of Baunei sits one of the most charming beaches along this stretch of the island’s coastline.
Cala Mariolu has two minor inlets, separated by a small ayre.
The beach has very small white pebbles, smoothed by the action of the sea. The original name of the area is “Ispuligi de nìe” which means snow dust, in precise reference to the colour and shape of its sand.
Limestone cliffs rise up around the beach and inside you will find a small cave, often used as shelter against the sun in the morning. While in the afternoon, the beach is in the shade, protected by the cliffs.
The beach can be easily reached from the sea. Over land, however, it is essential to follow a long path which branches off from the route known as Selvaggio Blu.
It is also possible to stop off along the route at the Cala dei Gabbiani, considered the southern part of the Cala Mariolu. This is a stretch of coastline extending for around 400 metres, separated from the main beach by some rocks. This beach also has a white sand and shingle shore and the waters are clear and clean.
Even though it is difficult to walk along, the path gives you an opportunity to enjoy other important naturalistic elements. For example, you would cross the Serra Lattone, a passage of high walls of limestone origin which rise up steeply from the Ispuligi de nie wood. This wood holds great appeal, with a vast tree-filled stretch sloping steeply down towards the sea.
There is the passage of S’iscala e s’arcu ‘e Spuligidenie for those with more experience and climbing enthusiasts, a wall passage, built using juniper trunks tied together and to the cliff, used in the past by shepherds.
