The Niala woods is an area in Ussassai, in the historical region of Ogliastra, in the province of Nuoro.
Thanks to its colours and landscape, green and luxuriant, rich in water and recesses, it has been described as the “enchanted wood”.
The wood borders with the area of the Montarbu state-owned forest, and represents an area immersed in nature between the holm oak forest and Mediterranean shrub, rivers, waterfalls and cascades. The best-known water areas include the natural pools of Tuvu Nieddu, where the water remains even in the warmest periods of the year.
In springtime, along the paths crossing the woods, it is possible to observe the peonies flowering.
A part of the wood is crossed by the old Sardinian railway lines, along which the Trenino Verde ran. It is still possible to observe the iron Irtzioni railway bridge, also known as the San Girolamo bridge, dating back to the XIX century.
Carrying on beyond the bridge is a stop-off point where there is a work by the Sardinian sculptor Pinuccio Sciola. The sculpture is known as the “palle“, recumbent rocky spheres near a spring and small lake. Still in this area are the rocky arches and karstic recesses. One of the Niala caves is known as the “cave of the Madonna“, due to its shape with rocky protrusion internally which brings to mind the Madonna with Child.
The Niala woods is part of the Sites of Community Importance (SCI) “Monti del Gennargentu” (ITB021103), regulated by the Rete Natura 2000.
