If you’re going to visit East Sardinia, you cannot miss Cala Goloritzé on the Baunei Coast. It is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Sardinia. However, Cala Goloritzé is not accessible by car or by boat. The only way to get there is via a hiking trail. In this guide, we’ll provide you with all the essential information to get to Cala Goloritzé.
Cala Goloritzé is a beautiful beach in Baunei, located in the southern part of the Gulf of Orosei in Ogliastra, Sardinia. The beach is made up of small white pebbles, and it was formed by a landslide in 1962. It’s famous for its tall pinnacle and a natural arch on the right side of the bay.
Another unique and beautiful beach in the Gulf of Orosei is Cala Luna. Take a look a our guide: Sardinia: How to Get to Cala Luna and What to Expect.
You may also like: East Sardinia 10-Day Itinerary: Best Beaches, What to Eat and Budget Breakdown
How to Get to Cala Goloritzé
The only way to get to Cala Goloritzé is via a hiking trail. Although it is often featured in boat tours of the Baunei coast, boats are not allowed to dock there. The hiking trail is about 3.5 kilometers long each way.
The trail starts at Su Porteddu camping, where you can find plenty of parking for your car. To get there, you have to go through a dirt road for approximately 10 minutes. You’ll notice some nice and beautiful donkeys at the entrance of the parking lot.
Next to the park, there is a small cafe and you can use their toilet facilities before starting the trail. There aren’t any more facilities along the trail or on the beach.
Cala Goloritzé Entrance Fee
Parking your car is free, but you need to pay a fee to enter the hiking trail. Access to the beach is limited, so it’s better to purchase a ticket in advance to secure your entry.
You can buy your ticket through the Heart of Sardinia app. It’s also possible to buy the ticket directly at the start of the trail, but the tickets might be already sold out. At the time of our visit, we paid 7€ per person.
The Hiking Trail to Cala Goloritzé
The hiking trail to Cala Goloritzé is 3.5 kilometers long and is considered difficult. However, if you’re used to hiking, I would describe it as moderately challenging. The trail ascends approximately 100 meters during the first kilometer and then descends about 500 meters over the remaining two and a half kilometers.
We took around one hour and twenty-five minutes to get there and another one hour and half to get back.
What to Expect on the Hike
The trail is well-marked and there is only one way to get there, so it’s difficult to get lost. Either way, I recommend downloading the Alltrails app to record your progress along the trail.
The first kilometer of the trail is relatively easy, even though it’s uphill. It’s mostly flat and well-maintained, with a dirt track and some loose rocks, so it’s not very difficult to get through.
However, after the first kilometer, the trail begins to descend, and it becomes more challenging. The loose rocks make the path trickier and a bit slippery, so I definitely recommend wearing good shoes. Avoid flip-flops, as even regular trainers can be too slippery on the polished rocks.
As you continue along the trail, you’ll come across some great spots with beautiful coastal views, caves, interesting rock formations, and even goats and wild pigs.
About five minutes before reaching the beach, there’s a small area with tables and chairs in the shade. It’s a nice spot if you want to take a break or have a picnic.
What to Pack to Cala Goloritzé
There are no facilities at the beach or along the trail. So, make sure to take plenty of water with you as well as snacks to spend your day at the beach.
Don’t forget sunscreen, hat and sunglasses. Even though there are some shade in some parts of the trail, others will get some direct and hot sunlight.
I also recommend taking a small sunshade umbrella because there isn’t much shade on the beach and the sun will get pretty hot along the day. That’s our biggest regret. I was quite uncomfortable most of the time because it was extremely hot and there wasn’t any space on the small shade under a little “cave” on the beach.
If you like swimming and snorkeling, definitely take a snorkel or at least swimming goggles with you. The beach doesn’t have sand. It has some little white pebbles and also some rocks, so don’t forget your water shoes.
As mentioned previously, the terrain on the hike is mainly composed of loose rocks, so make sure to wear comfortable, sturdy, and closed shoes.
Essentials to pack – Cala Goloritzé
- plenty of water
- snacks
- sunshade umbrella
- hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
- snorkel or swimming goggles
- watershoes
Cala Goloritzé – What to Expect
When you arrive at Cala Goloritzé, they’ll check your ticket. You cannot go with pets and you must leave the beach at 5 PM.
The water at Cala Goloritzé is turquoise and crystal clear. It’s really like paradise. It’s exactly like the pictures—absolutely stunning.
The beach at Cala Goloritzé doesn’t have sand; instead, it’s covered in small white pebbles that create a beautiful contrast with the color of the water. The beach itself is quite small, with limited shade apart from a small cave that get packed quickly. There are also some rocky areas where you need to be cautious because the rocks are very slippery, even if you’re wearing water shoes.
When you arrive at the beach, it’s important to “reserve” a spot with your towel and umbrella, as the beach fills up quickly. We arrived around 11 AM and found plenty of space, but by noon, it was already quite crowded, making it harder to find a good spot.
If you’re a good swimmer, you can even swim out to a natural arch at the right side of the bay. Unfortunately, I don’t have any pictures of it, but it’s definitely worth seeing.
Getting Back from Cala Goloritzé
At around 5 PM everyone must leave the beach. We left around 4 PM (we didn’t have an umbrella and the sun very hot, we were getting quite uncomfortable). Make sure to take all garbage with you (there aren’t any trash bins on the way) and leave no trace.
To get back to Su Porteddu parking lot, you’ll have to hike all the 3.5 kilometers all the way back on the same trail. This time, the trail will be mostly ascending, which can be more challenging for some people. But, for me, I find it easier to go up than to go down.
Final Thoughts on Hiking to Cala Goloritzé
Is hiking to Cala Goloritzé worth it? If you like a good hike, absolutely! Make sure to reserve all day for this place so that you can enjoy the beach. We both enjoy hiking and beach, so when both come together, it’s just perfect. However, there aren’t many places of interest along the hike. The highlight is the beach at Cala Goloritzé.
If you’re not in good physical condition for this hike, maybe it is better to skip it or you may injury yourself. There are so many other beautiful beaches you can access on the Baunei coast without having to hike. A good way to explore the Baunei coast is on a boat tour. It won’t stop at Cala Goloritzé, but you’ll stop at other equally beautiful places.
FAQs About Hiking to Cala Goloritzé
Finally, we’ll answer some quick questions about the hike to Cala Goloritzé.
How Long Does It Take to Hike to Cala Goloritzé?
Hiking to Cala Goloritzé usually takes around one hour and a half to two hours. The hike is 3.5 kilometers long each way.
Is the Cala Goloritzé Hike Difficult?
The hike to Cala Goloritzé is considered difficult. However, if you’re used to walking and hiking it will be relatively simple as long as you’re using proper shoes.
Do You Need a Guide to Hike to Cala Goloritzé?
There’s no need for a guide to hike to Cala Goloritzé. There is only one way to get there and the trail is well-marked.
Where Can I Park for the Cala Goloritzé Hike?
Park at Su Porteddu parking.
Is There an Entrance Fee for Cala Goloritzé?
Yes. You must buy a ticket to do the trail. At the time, it was 7€ per person. You can buy the ticket at the entrance of the trail or via the Heart of Sardinia app. If you’re visiting in high season, I recommend buying in advance.
Can You Camp at Cala Goloritzé?
You cannot camp at Cala Goloritzé, but there is a camping Su Porteddu at the beginning of the hike.
What Should I Bring for the Hike to Cala Goloritzé?
Essentials for Cala Goloritzé: plenty of water, snacks, sunshade umbrella, hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen, snorkel or swimming goggles, watershoes.
Are There Any Facilities at Cala Goloritzé?
There are no facilities at Cala Goloritzé or along the trail. There is a bar next to the parking lot at the beginning of the trail. You can use their toilet facilities before or at the end of the trail.
Can I Take My Dog on the Cala Goloritzé Hike?
Dogs are not allowed at Cala Goloritzé.
How Crowded Does Cala Goloritzé Get?
We visited in July, and the beach got quite crowded between 12 AM to 3 PM. So, if you don’t like crowds, visiting outside those hours is a better planning.
Wrapping Up
We hope you found this guide useful and that it helps you plan your hike to Cala Goloritzé.
If you’re planning a trip to Sardinia, make sure to check our Sardinia itinerary and travel guides:
- East Sardinia 10-Day Itinerary: Best Beaches, What to Eat and Budget Breakdown
- Sardinia: How to Get to Cala Luna and What to Expect
If you also want to visit Rome, make sure to check out our 3-day itinerary:
Finally, you can use our links to book accommodation and activities and find cheap flights. You won’t pay more and you’ll be supporting our work.
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