Torre della pegna – the hike you came here for

If you  are on holiday somewhere close to Alghero you really shouldn’t miss this stunning coastal hike bacause I’m sure it’ll blow your mind. Although I’ve already written a post about my favourite places in this area I couldn’t stop myself from dedicating an entire article to this particular hike called Torre della pegna.

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The hike itself takes about 90 minutes from the parking place to Torre della pegna which is a Spanish coastal tower built in the 16th century approximately 200 meters above the sea level.

The path is basically on the hilltop between those two little islands – Isola Foradada and Isola Piana –  you can see them on the map right above Grotte di Nettuno (which by the way is the famous cave system of Alghero). To get a closer look click on the map!!!

This is probably not that kind of hike that I would do in the summer – at least not in July or August – and flip-flops may not be the right choice if you care about your feet and make sure you bring some water with you as you got a 3 – 4 hours walk in front of you (round trip) unless you want to run … but why the hell would you do that when every 10 minutes you can have a glimpse on  the shoreline from a different angle, right?

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You’d better watch your step while you’re walking on the edge of the rock …
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Cala d’inferno

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One of the spectacular limestone pinnacles with Isola Piana in the background

If you’re used to following paths you won’t have any problems here. On the one hand there are a few alternative routes so you can choose the one that best fits your mood and on the other hand you’ll find the pathkeepers. The everlasting tour guides. Omini di pietra. (milestones or cairns)

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Torre della pegnaThey have been put along the path almost from the very beginning and if you pay attention you’ll find them every 50 – 60 meters until you get to the tower.

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And once you get there I’m sure you’ll stay there for a while …

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Once you get to the tower you will have a vast piece of land and sea in front of your eyes. The highest peak you can see in the backround is called Punta Cristallo. Beyond those white cliffs the landscape changes abruptly and a series of coves and beaches will introduce another chapter in this ever-changing wonderland…


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8 thoughts on “Torre della pegna – the hike you came here for

  1. Beautiful pictures:) I am glad you found the path! About the miles stone, they really are the oldest way to mark a path and, if you think about it, also a great way to protect the environment. Stones and wood, sometimes a bone or anything you can find in nature. Sometimes they can be measleading because people often place them wrongly and forget them in place 🙂 but definitely they are great help!!
    Nice one!

  2. Great photos (although more than one of them brought on mu vertigo!) Would love to do this hike. I have seen these stone piles before, most recently hiking down the hillside on Santorini. Wasn’t sure they had any meaning, so good to know they do.

    1. Cheers!!! Well, not only they have meaning but without them one would have a hard time to find the right path! Hiking in Sardinia in April and May is fantastic (despite the fact that weather forecast says 30 degrees at the weekend ….) Anyway let me know if you have any questions 🙂

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