BAUNEI – CALA BIRIOLA (BILLARICORO) – CUILE PIDDI – SA NURCA

Summer is here and before the tourist flow increases dramatically (and also the summer heat !!) we decide to plan a new hike in the territory of Baunei. The first destination set was the Mudaloru beach but, as we have asked our dear friend of Baunei, Antonio, and connoisseur of those places to guide us, we let him choose the path, and at the end he opted for Cala Biriola.

DEPARTURE

The time needed to get to Baunei is always a lot and to start to put our feet on the path as soon as possible we have to wake up at dawn. Once in Baunei, a coffee at the bar where we meet with Antonio and a chat on the way to the Golgo and we arrive almost to the Fold Ololbizzi where we will begin our hike.

THE PATH

The tip of the path heading north, in his well-marked beginning but becomes not so evident after choosing the right side of an intersection where the trail forks. In some places the trail climbs among the branches of juniper and bare rock areas and a quick check to the GPS reveals that our route runs parallel to the more classic and well know route.

This variation allows us to enjoy more ample panoramas and, finally, to arrive in front of the wall on which there is the so-called S’Iscalone (The great stair). The view from the opposite wall of the passage we have to face inspires a certain awe and a healthy fear.

S’ISCALONE

S’Iscalone is nothing more than a series of “Scale ‘e Fustes” (Stairs of trunks) and steep and “equipped” with various aids. The first descent is steep and difficult to view the trailhead. The first part is a stair of rock with a big steel cable which makes secure passage and which soon becomes a horizontal passage of large juniper stems anchored to the wall and suspended over the void to a height of about 20 meters, and finally descend the wall on a scale of rock with a rope as an aid.

After descending the gorge on stony ground for about 200 meters we reached the second step, consisting of an iron ladder and a series of steps on wooden ladders and rock.
In recent times, the passage has undergone a “modernization” making it safer but to deal with calmly and carefully. The long iron stair of about 10 meters leads to a passage, a “bridge”, made by wood and finally it descend a rock wall with a rope aid.

CALA BIRIOLA

Then we access the Biriala forest  (Billaricoro) which is crossed by a well marked and open path that eventually leads to look out the south wall of Biriola beach enjoying the fantastic colors of the bay.
The view is spectacular and you can see the walls marked by ancient caves, the white pebble beach and the sea of an unimaginable transparency.
To reach the beach we go down a steep and slippery path that leads to the headland of rock, extending towards the sea, forms, in its final part the famous rock arch.

Turning to the south you can see the walls overlooking the sea with nearby Grotta del Fico and the nearest coves that in order to have the Pools Cove and the largest pools of Venus.

The passage to the cove through two holes formed in the first part giving access to a ledge in the wall and finally through a gap in the rocks to the beach.

RETURN

The return is via the same path with the initial variant of the viewpoint of the cove that direct pointing to the wall where you can admire animal shelters and bivouacs for pastors.
After facing S’Iscalone uphill and regained the main trail you head north, turning, its junction to the right. This trail leads us towards Cuile Pirri and his great flock. Here you can take a break and decide whether to go back on our feet or descend along the codula until reaching to a deep fissure called Sa Nurca.

SA NURCA

This is the stunning passage through this huge gap the small ledge from which we can enjoy the great views of the gulf and its beauties. Reached the Cuile Piddi the excursion ends along a pleasant and very open trail.

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