From Ghenna 'e Silana take the clearly marked detour that descends north-west towards the woods, always keeping Punta Poloche walls to the left. After a few signposts, leave the dirt road and take a clear and well-maintained mule track on the left. This begins to descend gradually, along large holm oaks and across some screes falling from the walls above. The path is at times scenic, overlooking the beautiful valley of Oddoene up to a massive strawberry tree – one of the largest on the island. Then the path bends slightly to the right in to the woods. There is a beautiful, renovated hut, exactly where Coile Costa Silana stood. Continue on the path, among dense vegetation (mainly arbutus), and you will gradually go back under the looming walls, cutting through a large scree. Once you reach the rocks at a yellow, small cave, you pass next to another ancient pastoral settlement – known as Coile 'e Or Sedas – and then by a slender spire of limestone. You will then move away from the walls with wide hairpin bends all the way to the arbutus. The descent, which has been steep up to now, gradually begins to fade as you approach the monumental mouth of the Gorropu Gorge. We cross over to the left on simple ground, then make a final steep descent to a cave, finally reaching the banks of Riu Frumeneddu. This comes out here again, surrounded by oleanders, after unravelling in the bowels of the karst mountains. The access to the gorge – with a fee from spring to autumn – is simple, following a clear path that keeps on the right (hydrographically left), overcoming the big boulders smoothed by the floods. The environment is majestic and spectacular – the visit is smooth up to the central wall of Cucuttos, overhanging for over 500m, thus creating an environment in eternal penumbra and of great suggestion. The return journey takes place along the same road or hiking towards Ponte Sa Barva.

Widening at Canton 'Ghenna' and Silana

Ghenna' and Silana' public bus service

From Dorgali or Baunei take the SS 125 Orientale Sarda until km 183+100, near a widening at the Casa Cantoniera located at the Ghenna 'e Silana pass. Here you can park