A day in the Moon Valley: hiking on the lunar landscapes of Sardinia

If you're looking for a breathtaking location to visit and discover on your next trip, combining the wonder of amazing landscapes that seem to belong to another planet with that thrilling sensation of adventure felt on your skin, you absolutely can't miss the Moon Valley in Sardinia.

This little natural paradise hidden along the coasts of Gallura, on the eastern side of North Sardinia, is the perfect destination for a truly unique day made of outdoor activity, fun and relaxation.

Pack your bags and let’s find out together what to see and what to do in the Moon Valley in Sardinia in one day!

Moon Valley in Sardinia is a small natural oasis to discover within Capo Testa peninsula, part of the territory of the town of Santa Teresa Gallura. This coastal area boasts an incredible lunar-like landscape, shaped by distinctive granite rock formations consumed by the action of wind and sea, with their characteristic pale hues.

The extreme uniqueness and charm of this location, perfectly framed between land and sea within a handful of kilometers, have made the Moon Valley - and Capo Testa in general - one of the most picturesque destinations to visit in Sardinia.

Its fascinating gently sloping rocky ground attracts hikers and sporting tourists ready for new adventurous challenges, while the crystal-clear waters of the hidden coves along the coast are a must for lovers of diving, swimming and other water sports. The spectacular views of the sea that open up between the granite breaches add their own value, offering photography enthusiasts unparalleled backdrops for memorable pictures, especially at sunset time.

It's recommended to visit Capo Testa and the Moon Valley directly on foot or by bicycle, bringing wuth you a backpack or bag with everything you need for a full day in this paradise (packed lunch, water, sunscreen, insect repellent, first aid kit, personal hygiene kit, etc.).

Occasionally, the Moon Valley also serves as an exceptional location for some of the best events in North Sardinia, promoted by the Sassari Chamber of Commerce with the program Salude & Trigu.

The one day trip to the Moon Valley of Capo Testa includes:

• departure from Olbia, directions to reach Santa Teresa Gallura by car or bus

• first morning stage at the lighthouse of Capo Testa, hiking through the rocks in the north of the peninsula

• second afternoon stage at Cala Grande, sea and beauty in the Moon Valley

• third evening stage at Funtanaccia, spectacular sunsets along the cliffs

• return to Santa Teresa Gallura, recommendations for other tourist destinations in Gallura

Olbia is the main starting point for visiting Gallura and easily reaching the Moon Valley in Sardinia, ideal for getting to the island by sea and air.

Once coming to Olbia, we recommend renting a car, in order to explore independently and have top flexibility in choosing the locations you want to visit. Alternatively, you can also travel from Olbia to Santa Teresa Gallura by bus. In either case, once you arrive in this sunny seaside town, we recommend bringing or renting a bike so you can explore Capo Testa and the Moon Valley on two wheels at your own pace.

If you've decided to travel by car, from Olbia take the SS125 Orientale Sarda towards north to Arzachena, then continue to Palau and finally Santa Teresa Gallura (northwest). The journey is approximately 60 km and takes 1 hour and 30 minutes and can be achieved on early morning to enjoy your day discovering the Moon Valley in Sardinia. If you prefer the bus, from Olbia take line 601; it also runs along the road SS125 Orientale Sarda, but the journey time takes around 2 hours and the first drive starts after 9:00 AM. To best enjoy such a day of traveling and adventures, it’s advisable to get to Santa Teresa Gallura the evening before.

From Santa Teresa Gallura, you can reach the Moon Valley in Sardinia in three ways:

• by car in less than 10 minutes, following the signs for Capo Testa (there is a paid parking area near the beaches Rena di Ponente and Rena di Levante)

• by bicycle in about 20 minutes, following the same route and with the option of venturing into the peninsula on bike

• on foot in about 1 hour, following the same route and preparing in advance for a one day hiking tour.

The first stage on our itinerary to discover the Moon Valley in Sardinia and the beauty of the Capo Testa peninsula is the maritime lighthouse, a true monument worth visiting by following a hiking trail.

The route is low in difficulty and suitable for even less experienced people, but the steep ground and the numerous rocks along the way require a lot of caution and above all appropriate clothing (comfortable and durable hiking shoes, soft and cool tracksuits or sportswear).

This stage is ideal in the morning, approximately between 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM, to fully enjoy the beautiful weather, the sunlight and the breathtaking panoramic view. The lighthouse of Capo Testa is located on top of the namesake promontory in the northwest of the peninsula over 50 meters above sea level, and it can be reached by following the main route of Via Cala Spinosa starting from the previously mentioned parking area.

The uphill walk then winds along smaller hiking paths through the valleys and rock formations typical of this area, offering incredible views from west to east of the small beaches of Cala Spinosa and Cala Francese, the Strait of Bonifacio on the horizon and the lush wild nature that thrives in the heart of Capo Testa.

Unfortunately the lighthouse cannot be visited inside, but reaching it and experiencing the magnificence of the landscapes of North Sardinia firsthand is certainly the first step to an unforgettable day!

At this point it's worth taking a break, preparing for the next stage towards the exciting moon path.

The second stage on this day of exploration at Capo Testa finally leads us to the Moon Valley in Sardinia, that is the rocky valley and bay of Cala Grande on the western side of the peninsula.

The afternoon is the best time to undertake this journey within the journey through the inland hiking paths, between approximately 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM. The reference route is the moon path (about 2 km and 30 minutes walk), a dirt trail that from the lighthouse of Capo Testa, through a lunar landscape framed by pale rock formations, allows you to venture into the heart of the peninsula and descend towards the coast.

The extraordinary beauty of the Moon Valley in Sardinia makes the perfect backdrop for breathtaking photographs between land and sea, offering unique emotions that are hard to replicate elsewhere. The bay of Cala Grande is a true marine paradise in harmony between humans and nature, where you can experience the sea in its purest and most tranquil essence. Here you can relax by bathing in crystal-clear waters in an intimate and slow atmosphere, or have fun with dives and scuba-diving. The bay is also ideal for water sports like surfing and windsurfing, as well as for scenic boat trips.

After so much fun in the water, given the time (it's now late afternoon, but we recommend you to stay around here until around 5:00 PM), it's the perfect time to stop, enjoy some food with an awesome sea view and recharge your batteries for the final leg of this one day tour, which promises to be romantic and picturesque!

After 5:00 PM, we're ready for the third and final stage of this exciting day exploring the Moon Valley in Sardinia and the beauty of the Capo Testa peninsula. To best conclude this experience, it's time to head to the southern side and feel the awe of the unique landscape of Funtanaccia over the bay of Santa Reparata.

To reach the cliff of Funtanaccia you'll have to depart from the bay of Moon Valley following the Via Cala Grande trail southward, a 1,5 km walk lasting about 20 minutes (at a slow pace). We recommend proceeding slowly anyway, to enjoy every moment of this final stage and avoid excessive physical exertion after a whole day of adventure.

Once you get to Funtanaccia you can relax in its small cove - that is precisely a coastal extension of the beach Rena di Ponente - sitting on the rocks and breathing in the pure sea air of this heavenly corner of North Sardinia.

A paradise that reveals its most iconic and romantic beauty at sunset. The cliff of Funtanaccia is indeed an exceptional location for admiring some of the most picturesque and breathtaking sunsets in the region, the perfect final touch to conclude at best a memorable day of travel discovering extraordinary places.

While sunset marks the end of this one day trip to discover the Moon Valley in Sardinia and the return to Santa Teresa at evening, it also represents the beginning for new experiences in Gallura.

We recommend visiting this region of North Sardinia in springtime, the perfect season to see it in its prime, enjoying excellent weather and above all avoiding overtourism.

Here is a map of the best places to visit in Gallura after the Moon Valley:

• Aglientu, less than 30 km south of Santa Teresa Gallura, which boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the region (such as Rena Majori) and iconic monuments such as the coastal tower of Vignola Mare;

• Palau, 25 km east of Santa Teresa Gallura, a beautiful tourist port town gateway to the islands of La Maddalena archipelago and the main venue of the Festival Isole che Parlano;

• Arzachena, 35 km south-east of Santa Teresa Gallura, an interesting inland town famous for its archaeological sites of nuragic origin, such as La Prisgiona, Li Lolghi, Albucciu and Marchittu.

Do you need more useful tips and information to help you plan your trip to Sardinia? Check out these guides too:

• What to eat in Sardinia: 10 traditional food and where to have them

• North Sardinia by car and bike: itinerary in 10 unmissable stops

• Sardinia 10 days coast to coast itinerary: an on-the-road adventure

The Moon Valley in Sardinia (originally known as Cala Grande) is located on the western side of the small Capo Testa peninsula, less than 5 km west of Santa Teresa Gallura and just 3.5 km northwest of the location of Santa Reparata. It is the northernmost stretch of coast in Sardinia, overlooking the Strait of Bonifacio and less than two hours by boat from Corsica. Capo Testa has a total area of approximately 12 km and a height above the sea level of a bit over 100 meters, while Moon Valley (Cala Grande) opens along the shore and is wide approximately 500 meters.

The Moon Valley of Capo Testa is a paradise for hiking and water sports enthusiasts. More active tourists can dedicate themselves to hiking, visiting the lighthouse of Capo Testa at the top of the promontory and then continuing along the moon path to reach Cala Grande, crossing majestic rocky formations and exploring hidden caves and coves near the coast. Some of the must-see attractions on the small peninsula include the lighthouse of Capo Testa, the ancient granite quarries and natural rock formations, the bay of Moon Valley and the cliff of Funtanaccia. Occasionally, the Moon Valley also serves as an exceptional location for some of the best events in North Sardinia, promoted by Salude & Trigu.

With its incredible natural and landscape beauty, the Moon Valley has gained widespread acknowledgment over time as a unique and unmissable destination in Sardinia, so much so that it has caught the attention of an international hippie community who made this little paradise their home since the 1960s. In recent years, however, with growing attention to sustainable tourism and environmentalism, the hippie community has been dismantled to restore this extraordinary location to its proper civic and ecological splendor.