Lunar landscapes

While traveling, you often come to places that captivate you with their appearance at first glance, and which seem literally from the other world. As examples of these places there are the so-called lunar landscapes. They are whitewashed rock openings, plundered valleys, massive cliffs or extensive craters. Several of these natural rarities can be seen in Sardinia as well. Perhaps the most famous is the Valle della Luna in the north, near the port town of Santa Teresa di Gallura. The local monumental landscape is also known as the Sardinian Woodstock, thanks to the hippie community that resides here. Another lunar valley is a desolate area near the village of Aggius, not far from the town of Tempio Pausania. On the west, near the town of Bosa, you can find a grey, wind-smoothed and sea-shaped piece of coast that hides the natural pools of Cane Malu and the unusual bedrock of Sos Pupos. A little more south, towards Oristano, there is the limestone arch of S’Archittu; the natural tunnel leading into the sea at Santa Catterina di Pittinuri, a popular destination for photographers or surfing and diving enthusiasts. Being in a good physical shape is required to reach the less accessible areas in the Supramonte Mountains. One of them is the mountain Monte Corrasi, characterized by steep limestone rocks, from the top of which you can admire a panorama of the entire Gennargentu mountain range and the Gulf of Orosei. The Monte Albo Mountain, in the territory of Lula and Siniscola, is called the Sardinian dolomite, for its white limestone peak Sos Apros shining into the distance. Near Orgosolo there is the vast natural crater Su Suercone, the deepest sinkhole on the island, which attracts trekking enthusiasts especially in spring and autumn. The deepest canyon of Su Gorropu with its unique landscape is a popular challenge for climbers from all over the world. The hiking route to the famous Cala Luna beach, leading from Telettos in the territory of Urzulei, has the moon right in its name. It leads through the bed of an underground river and is one of the stages of the multi-day Selvaggio Blu trekking. Natural pools, high limestone walls, caves of various sizes and Sa Iuntura waterfall are perfect examples of the otherworldly environment. In Ogliastra, in the territory of Villagrande Strisaili, the Bau Mela pools are hidden among the modelled granite rocks, being a popular destination for canyoning fans.