Speleology

Speleology allows you to, literally, enter the heart of the terrain, inside the caves formed by various environments, and to find stalactites and stalagmites still intact in their rare beauty. Sometimes, it is necessary to pass narrow tunnels, climb down with ropes, and go through siphons….Ogliastra and Barbagia put at the disposal of pot-holing enthusiasts, numerous caves, some still to be explored and some offering stupendous scenery.

One of the most interesting aspects of Sardinia is its ancient, calcareous territory, which hides an unexplored subterranean world. With the support of GEA professional guides, proper equipment such as helmets and lanterns, you can taste this world.

Some caves to discover with increasing levels of difficulty:

- Grotta di Orbisi. Difficulty : easy.
Only during mid-winter does this tunnel fill with water, normally it is dry thus easily explored with its perfectly smooth walls, alabaster tapholes, and erosions of over 30m in height before reaching the main chamber. After the cave, a visit into the "Pischina Urthaddala"; a small hidden lake between calcareous walls, which houses a faunal endemism; the triton.

. - Grotta "Su Prediargiu". Difficulty : medium (short, low passages).
QThis cave of tectonic origin is around 800m long, inside there are numerous salt concretions. One particular is the thermal chamber; here the walls are completely covered in "aragonite crystals", snow-white and as thin as needles. Unique in Italy. After the cave, a visit to the "Su Turru Biancu", a small waterfall in the Codula di Luna.

- Grotta "Heliches Artas". Difficulty: medium.
You go down into a hole of around 7m with a rope to reach the first chamber. The name of the cave means "high ilex", as ilex roots stretching up to 15m have pushed their way into the caves, where they have petrified. After, a visit to the nuragic village of Sos Carros and the karstic springs of Su Cologone, with its 300litres of water, is the largest in Sardinia.

- Grotta del Fico. Difficulty : demanding (wall climbing).
The entrance to this cave, reached via a path used by shepherds, is located just a few metres above sea level, in a chasm in the Gulf of Orosei. Here, just 40 years ago, the monarch seal gave birth to their young. Inside, we can see stalactites and stalagmites, while in the subterranean canals, you can hear the ocean. Recently, a bridge has been added to be accessible by sea. Guided tour of the internal part.

.- Grotta "Sos Sirios". Difficulty : demanding.
This cave is situated in the cliffs above the Codula di Luna and was used by the first inhabitants of Sardinia, inside we can admire great completely calcified amphora that were used by the ancient population to gather water.

To participate::
It is not necessary to have prior experience of pot-holing, it is enough to be in good health and not be afraid of the dark or suffer from claustrophobia. You walk on pathways and not, in some cases you walk in open spaces, using safety rock-climbing techniques.

Guides: you can find guides in Urzulei, Baunei, Dorgali, Oliena, Orgosolo, obviously in the land where you want to go on excursion.

 www.grottadelfico.it   -  www.trekkingbaunei.it