Hiking in Sardinia — and how to be properly prepared

Summary

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Strictly Sardinia

Episode: Hiking in Sardinia — and How to Be Properly Prepared

Host: Claudia Tavani
Date: May 7, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Claudia Tavani, Sardinia local and founder of the Strictly Sardinia blog, delivers a focused and practical guide to hiking in Sardinia. Drawing from personal experience—specifically, a nerve-racking hike with an unprepared American friend—Claudia highlights the unique challenges of Sardinian trails. The central message: hiking here isn’t a casual stroll; it requires serious preparation and respect for the island’s remote and wild landscapes.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Preparedness Is Essential in Sardinia

[01:13 – 02:20]

• Claudia recounts a recent hike with a friend who showed up with “no backpack, no water, no food, no extra layer,” which shocked her as these are “basic” essentials for locals.
• She stresses that Sardinian hiking expectations may differ vastly from those in other places: “What we take for granted here is not universal.”

2. The Realities of Hiking on the Island

[02:20 – 03:30]

• Sardinian hikes are often physically demanding, remote, and exposed, regardless of distance or appearance.
• Key difference: “You’re often on your own. There are no cafes, no water fountains, no toilets, no rescue points, and very often no phone signal at all. This is normal here, but if you’re not expecting it, it becomes a problem very quickly.”

3. Critical Preparation Strategies

[03:30 – 05:10]

• Always bring water and food: “There is nowhere to get anything once you start. And dehydration in Sardinia happens faster than people expect.”
• Proper backpack required: “Showing up without a backpack is not minimalist, it is unprepared. And in some situations that becomes dangerous.”
• Extra layers: Even in summer, conditions can change or delays happen; always pack an extra layer for warmth and emergencies.
• Shoes matter: “Proper hiking shoes are not optional. Sardinian trails are rocky, uneven, often steep, sometimes slippery. And running shoes are not enough. Flip flops—don’t even talk about it.”

4. Trail Conditions and Timing

[05:10 – 06:00]

• Distances can be deceiving: “Distances look short, but that means nothing because the terrain is rough, paths are not always clear, and you need to move carefully. So everything takes longer than you think.”
• Start early—especially in the summer—to avoid the intense heat and exhaustion, and to give yourself margin for mistakes.

5. Toilets and Trail Etiquette

[06:00 – 06:30]

• “There are no toilets anywhere along the trail. So yes, you will use the bush. This is normal. What matters is how you do it. Bring a small bag, take your toilet paper with you. Do not leave it behind. This is basic respect.”

6. Additional Core Safety Tips

[06:30 – 07:20]

• Do not hike alone (if inexperienced or unfamiliar): “No signal, no people, no quick help.”
• Always tell someone where you’re going: Even the hotel receptionist, with details of your trail and expected return time.
• Navigation: Don’t trust your phone—“Download maps offline. Take screenshots. Know your trail. Getting lost is easier than you think.”

7. Dealing with the Sardinian Sun

[07:20 – 07:35]

• The sun is strong, even outside peak summer. “Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses—these are not optional.”

8. Selecting the Right Hike

[07:35 – 07:50]

• “Know your limits. Don’t pick a hike because it looks good on Instagram or because someone else did it. Pick it because it fits your level.”

9. Leave No Trace

[07:50 – 08:00]

• “Don’t leave trash. Don’t leave toilet paper. Don’t damage anything. These are places that are special because they’re still wild.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On preparation:

  “Showing up without a backpack is not minimalist, it is unprepared. And in some situations that becomes dangerous.”
  — Claudia Tavani, [04:10]

• On expectations vs. reality:

  “Hiking in Sardinia is not a casual walk… Even when something looks short, easy or manageable, it can still be physically demanding, exposed and completely remote.”
  — Claudia Tavani, [01:45]

• On sun and hydration:

  “Dehydration in Sardinia happens faster than people expect.”
  — Claudia Tavani, [03:50]

• On hiking shoes:

  “Proper hiking shoes are not optional. Sardinian trails are rocky, uneven, often steep, sometimes slippery. And running shoes are not enough. Flip flops—don’t even talk about it. And yes, people do this. And this is exactly how people get injured.”
  — Claudia Tavani, [04:30]

• On leave no trace:

  “Do not leave it [toilet paper] behind. This is basic respect. You dispose of it once you go back home.”
  — Claudia Tavani, [06:20]

• Final takeaway:

  “Hiking in Sardinia is incredible. But it’s not casual. You need to prepare, think ahead and take responsibility. Do that and you’ll have an amazing experience. Don’t do that and you’re putting yourself at risk.”
  — Claudia Tavani, [08:00]

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Important Timestamps

• [01:13] — Introduction & inspiration for the episode
• [02:20] — The unique challenges of hiking in Sardinia
• [03:30] — Essentials to bring
• [04:30] — Footwear and trail safety
• [05:30] — The importance of starting early
• [06:00] — Trail toilets and etiquette
• [06:30] — The dangers of hiking alone and navigation tips
• [07:20] — Dealing with the sun
• [07:35] — Picking the right hike and respecting your limits
• [08:00] — Final message and summary

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Summary & Takeaways

Claudia’s message is clear: Sardinia’s wild beauty makes for unforgettable hiking, but only if you arrive well-prepared, well-equipped, and respectful of the environment. Know the potential dangers, take your safety seriously, and leave no trace. A little advance planning, she says, “makes a huge difference.”

For more details, local tips, or to book a consultation with Claudia, check her blog Strictly Sardinia.

Next episode: Deciding between northern and southern Sardinia for your trip.

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Transcript

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Hello, I'm Claudia. I was born and raised in Sardinia and I still live here. I'm the person behind both the Strictly Sardinia blog and this podcast where I share practical tips to help you plan your trip and avoid the mistakes I see other travelers make all the time. Today's episode is a bit different. We're not talking about where to go, but about how to do something safely once you're here. Hiking in Sardinia, and how to be properly prepared. And I'm doing this because I recently went on a hike with an American friend here in Sardinia, and honestly, I almost lost it. You. He showed up with no backpack, no water, no food, no extra layer. And I remember looking at him thinking, what are you doing? Not in a judgmental way, but in a genuinely concerned way, because for this is basic for us. But that moment made me realize something important. What we take for granted here is not universal. So this episode is everything I wish someone told you before you go hiking in Sardinia. Now, let's reset expectations. Hiking in Sardinia is not a casual walk. Even when something looks short, easy or manageable, it can still be physically demanding, exposed and completely remote. And this is the key difference. You're often on your own. There are no cafes, no water fountains, no toilets, no rescue points, and very often no phone signal at all. This is normal here, but if you're not expecting it, it becomes a problem very quickly. Let's go back to my friend. We hadn't even started properly and I asked him, where's your water? And he said, I Thought we fight something along the way. No, you won't. There is nothing along the way. So let me be very clear. You always need to bring water. You always bring food. Even if the hike is short, you think you'll be quick. The weather looks mild because there is nowhere to get anything once you start. And dehydration in Sardinia happens faster than people expect. Now this brings me to the next point. Bring a backpack, a real one, because you need to carry water, snacks, an extra layer, sunscreen, your phone, and ideally a small emergency kit. Showing up without a backpack is not minimalist, it's. It is unprepared. And in some situations that becomes dangerous. The extra layer is one people argue with. But it's summer. But it's hot. I don't care. You bring an extra layer because hikes take longer than expected. Plans change, delays happen. And more importantly, if something goes wrong, you may not be able to call anyone. No signal, no help. So. So you need to be prepared to wait, sit and stay warm. Shoes. And this is where accident happens. Let's talk about full wear. Preparing proper hiking shoes are not optional. Sardinian trails are rocky, uneven, often steep, sometimes slippery. And running shoes are not enough. Flip flops. Don't even talk about it. And yes, people do this. And this is exactly how people get injured. Another thing people get. Distances look short, but that means nothing because the terrain is rough, paths are not always clear, and you need to move carefully. So everything takes longer than you think. And if you start late, you're creating a problem for yourself. Now this is something that locals don't even think about. You start early, especially in the summer, because the heat becomes intense, there is very little shade on trails. Trails become exhausting, and starting early gives you better conditions, more energy and more margins. Margins for mistake. Now let's talk about toilets on trails. Let's address it. There are no toilets anywhere along the trail. So yes, you will use the bush. This is normal. What matters is how you do it. Bring a small bag, take your toilet paper with you. Do not leave it behind. This is basic respect. You dispose of it once you go back home. Now, another additional tip. Do not hike alone if you can avoid it, especially if you don't know the area. It's a remote trail and you're not experienced because no signal, no people, no quick help. Tell something where you're going. And this is simple but important. You do this when you're going. You tell them where you're going. You tell them which trail and when you expect to be back. It takes 10 seconds and it can make a huge difference in Even if you just say this to your hotel receptionist, you still need to do it. Navigation do not trust your phone. Don't just assume I use Google Maps because you may not have signal. Hello, I said this a few times so download maps online offline. Take screenshots. Know your trail. Getting lost is easier than you think. Now sun exposure because this is serious here. Sardine is not mild. The sun is strong even outside peak summer. So you need sunscreen, hat, sunglasses. And these are not optional. One more thing people don't think about. Know your limits. Don't pick a hike because it looks good on Instagram or because someone else did it. Pick it because it fits your level. There is no shame in choosing an easier trail. Respect the place. This is the one last thing. Leave no trace. Don't leave trash. Don't leave toilet paper. Don't damage anything. These are places that are special because they're still wild. And now one final takeaway. If I had to summarize everything Hiking in Sardinia is incredible. But it's not casual. You need to prepare, think ahead and take responsibility. Do that and you'll have an amazing experience. Don't do that and you're putting yourself at risk. Now before we finish, if you're planning to hike in Sardinia, take it seriously. A little preparation makes a huge difference. If you want more practical tips to plan your trip to Sardinia Sardinia, where to stay, what to do, how to organize everything, check the link in the episode description. That's where you find my blog, Strictly Sardinia. And if you want help planning your trip, you can also book a one hour consultation with me. The link is there as well. In the next episode we will talk about picking the north versus the south of Sardinia for your trip. If you found this helpful, share with anyone planning to visit Sardinia, especially the friend who thinks they can hike without water. And feel free to give my blood my my podcast, a good rating or a review. And until next week, goodbye.

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