Cala Gonone
Home Up

 

The South Devon Mountaineering Club had arranged to visit Sardinia in November of 2004 and I was kindly invited on the trip as a relatively new member.  There is climbing all over this island which is reported to be the second largest island in the Mediterranean and made a great weeks climbing on perfect limestone cliffs and crags.

Location - Cala Gonone, Sardinia (off the cost of Italy)

Camping Location/ Parking - We stayed in an apartment on the sea front which was organized by Bob and there appears to be a lot available form hotels and apartments to camping in the summer, depending on where you climb determines the parking but generally the parking is close to the crag.  Are longest walk in was about 15 min.

OS Map, Grid Reference -  N/A 

Guide Book Used - Rock fax, Arrampicare a Cala Gonone, Pietra di Luna (available in english), (the last two are available from the news agent in Cala Gonone) there was some discrepancies between these and rock fax only seams to list some of the routes at each crag.

Grade - French 4a - 8c        Height - From 10m up        Number of Pitches -  Generally 1

Equipment Used - It is essential that you have a 60m single rope for most of these routes which are generally all bolted in one way or another although there are a number of traditionally protected routes that you will need nuts etc for, these are generally the longer routes. 10 number quick draws and the usual harness boots etc.

The guides suggest that the best time of year to climb is spring and autumn, we went in November and the weather was mixed with strong heat and sun one day with cold thunder storms the next so it is advisable to pack appropriately.

Getting There - We flew from Stanstead Airport directly to Alghero and then hired a car and drove to Cala Gonone (about 2-3 hrs drive with a stop for pizza).

The Routes - (Refer to the Guide book for details) the majority of the climbing on the hills are on limestone slabs at all angles with the climbs closer to the sea forming more vertical routes of all types and standards, refer to the trip report/ diary for information on the routes we selected.

Trip Report    Photos   Back to Climbing Reports