Costa Smeralda Walk Sardinia - Porto Istana to Porto San Paolo

We found a few books with walks in Sardinia but most of them seemed to involved exposed climbs and via ferrata. We decided to just try our luck walking along the shore not too far from our hotel and came across this well marked route for Port Istana to Porto San Paolo. It was a great walk with lovely scenery. In October we had clear blue skies but very strong winds blowing in from the sea. There were paths most of the walk and signage was pretty good although a map would certainly be of some assistance.

Total distance for out and back was 9 km with minimal climb.

Start the walk at Port Istana. There is a large free car park just before the turning circle at the end of the road. From there just head down to beach and turn right along the beach and then follow the paths generally keeping very close to the shore.

Some lovely views:

After the first beach there is a section of fairly narrow path with a sharp drop of a few metres into the sea to your left. In places the path disappears and requires a small step over the difficult section. Whilst not particularly difficult it may not be suitable for children or the less stable on feet.

This first section is the hardest bit and thereafter paths are something like the picture below.

In October Porto San Paolo was almost dead. After a bit of looking we found a hotel (Hotel Castello di Tavolara) open for coffee and croissant where we stopped for 30 minutes before heading back the way we came.

Olbia

On Thursday we went into Olbia and started the day with a visit to the archeological museum. An amazing building for such and a poor collection. There were some excellent photo exhibits on at the same time which made up for the missing archeology.

We then went for a walk in the "gardens" which turned out to be just a park with one or two plants.

Went to a cafe that didn't service tea or coffee ! Nice church in town though.

Maddalena and Capo Testa

On Wednesday we took a fairly long drive out to Palau on the north coast. We found a very nice walk along the shore and enjoyed looking at the granite that had been sculpted in smooth and strange shapes by the sea. We then headed on the ferry to Maddalena the main town in a set of islands off the north coast. The town was a bit more lively that most places we had been on the island. 

We finished the day with a drive out to Capo Testa at the far north west of the island. A large rocks connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus. Some lovely beaches with totally still seas and great rock formations on the headland.

Porto Rotondo and Port Cervo

On Tuesday we headed out to two of the expensive resorts on the Costa Smerelda. Unfortunately with this being off season both towns were almost totally deserted and it was hard to even find something to eat or drink. Porto Rotondo was quite nice whilst Cervo was a bit hard to get round and not so impressive.

San Teodoro and Nuraghic Remains

On Monday we headed further South to San Teodoro hoping for a nice walk from the port to the dunes. The port turned out to be a work in progress and nothing to look at just now.

A little further along the coast we saw lots of kite surfers enjoying the strong winds on the long sandy beach. Some stunning displays as they leaped about 10 metres into the air on the boards or flipped somersaults.

In the afternoon we headed north of Olbia to visit an old hilltop Nuraghic settlement. It was a long hard climb up to the top. The views weren't great due to the hazy weather but the ancient dwelling was very impressive and had survived 2500 years amazingly well.

Porto Taverna

On Sunday we took a short trip down the coast to a village and beach called Porto Taverna. There was a superb beach here with a nature reserve right behind it with herons and flamingos. We enjoyed the walks and views and a drink at the bar at the end of the beach.

In the afternoon we had to go out shopping for clothes and toiletries to replace stuff in our displaced bags.

Sardinia

Up very early in the morning for a flight from Edinburgh to Olbia in Sardinia. They managed to lose our suitcase on the way (it turned up about 4 days later).

Staying at the Cala Cuncheddi Hotel a short fifteen minutes from the airport in our hired Nissan Micra.

It was fairly late by the time we arrived but managed to have a quick walk around the hotel grounds and along the coast. Some impressive views.

4 course dinner (every night) as part of the half-board deal.

Hotel pool:

 and the beach

 and views

London, Telford & Birmingham

A busy week with an early morning Monday flight to London for BUPA meetings. Tried out a central London spin class, Boom Cycle on Tuesday evening. Off to Telford on Wednesday for various Admin Re meetings. Caught up with Hannah, briefly, in Birmingham, before getting the slow and late train home to Edinburgh on Friday.

A couple of good cycles over the weekend, dinner out on Saturday with Cherry to Las Iguanas and cinema on Sunday to see Deepwater Horizon (6/10).

Cycle to Saltoun Big Wood

Nice cycle from home along the C1 route to Saltoun and some forest and farm trails. Stopped on the return journey to look at the recycled garden at Ormiston Railway station.

Mountain Bike Orienteering - Milngavie

Cold morning fog mean the temperature was just 3 degrees when I headed out on this event. The sun however broke through after about 30 minutes of riding and the rest of the day was glorious perfect conditions.

After struggling last year the area was familiar enough for me to have a decent enough ride with a good idea as to the best areas to go and what to avoid. A lovely area of decent trails with great views.

Generally did quite well although a few stupid mistakes. The biggest improvement will be in carefully reading the control descriptions.

Great ride of about three hours in total.