4x4 Offroad SUV trip in Sardinia - Italy

The start of the adventure – Welcome on board! Our off-road journey begins with a warm welcome at the port of Genoa, where you meet your tour guide and the other tour participants. The atmosphere is charged with anticipation and a sense of adventure – you can immediately feel: Here begins more than just a journey. Here starts a true 4x4 off-road experience! After a brief briefing and check-in, we board the comfortable night ferry – one of seven companies that connect to the dream island of Sardinia. As the lights of Genoa slowly disappear on the horizon and the sea surrounds us, the excitement grows: "What awaits us on this wild island?" On deck or in the cabin – use the crossing to mentally prepare for what’s to come. Perhaps during a first exchange with like-minded people, a cool drink at the ship's bar, or while gazing at the starry sky. Because tomorrow morning, it’s time to say: Land in sight – Porto Torres! From here, our real adventure begins: gravel roads, lost places, hidden bays, and Sardinian culture await you. So: buckle up, charge your camera, sharpen your senses – wild Sardinia is calling!

The entry into wild Sardinia. Fresh and rested, we roll off the ferry in the morning – ready for our true off-road adventure in Sardinia. Just a few kilometers after Porto Torres, the wild beauty of the island awaits us: Our tour starts leisurely with a short but scenic gravel road along steep cliffs. At a hidden rock beach, we take our first break – time for a rustic breakfast with a view of the deep blue Mediterranean crashing against the rocks below us. The sound of the waves, the scent of the maquis, and the warming rays of the sun give us the perfect feeling: Now the adventure is really beginning. On the way south, there’s still plenty of time for a short stop in the charming medieval town of Alghero. With its narrow streets, Spanish-Catalan architecture, and impressive city walls, it is a real highlight for everyone who wants to soak in culture as well as dust. In the afternoon, we continue – past small villages, olive groves, and hilly landscapes – until we finally reach the region around Santa Caterina. There awaits our first overnight stay on the island: Depending on your wish, either in a camp under the starry sky or in a cozy hotel with local flair.

Today will be technical – and scenically spectacular! On this stage, we leave the comfortable paths and dive deep into the heart of the Sardinian wilderness. We drive through sections where not only the vehicle, but also your skills behind the wheel are required. Rough gravel roads, sandy sections, and steep ascents demand the right tires, good suspension, solid ground clearance, and – if available – the use of the differential lock. This route is not for fair-weather drivers – but exactly what true 4x4 fans love. Our destination: an abandoned radio tower from Cold War times, located high up in solitude. The reward: breathtaking views over the barren expanse, the mountains, the sea – and absolute silence. On the way there, we pass sandy trails, cross lonely plains, and roll past a dried-up salt lake, where – with a bit of luck – even flamingos may circle. The day's finale leads us to the legendary rice grain beach (Spiaggia Is Arutas) – famous for its white, grainy quartz sand that crunches like rice under the tires. In the evening, we reach our camp near Oristano, right by the sea. After a day full of dust, sweat, and goosebumps scenery, we enjoy the sunset – and perhaps a cold beer on the beach. That’s Sardinia. Untamed. Unforgettable. Authentic. ;-)

Today, we can expect a particularly varied and technically challenging stage. Our drive follows the course of the Red River, where at times we even drive directly in the riverbed. Between streams and stony passages, the remnants of abandoned mines accompany us, providing a glimpse into the industrial past of the region. At the end of the trail, we reach an endless sandy beach, where the sea and the vastness of the landscape form the perfect contrast to the rough terrain. But the way there is tough: the track is demanding, with narrow, overgrown sections – scratches from battling the maquis are part of the daily routine here. Another route leads us through mountainous terrain, past the majestic dunes of San Nicolò: a fascinating natural phenomenon that we can climb on foot. From above, spectacular views of the coast and coastal forest await. Later, we traverse the historically significant mining area of Montevecchio, one of the oldest mining landscapes in Italy. Among old shafts, rusty conveyor belts, and abandoned workers' houses, we experience industrial culture up close. To conclude the day, we discover some old bunkers and fortifications from World War II near our camp – silent witnesses nestled in a landscape that uniquely combines history and nature.

After technically challenging off-road days, we take it a bit easier today – but without missing out on highlights! Our first stop: the Grotta di Su Mannau, one of the oldest and most impressive stalactite caves in Sardinia. In a guided tour, we dive deep into the underworld – into a system of fascinating stalactite formations, ancient tunnels, and hidden chambers that served as a cult site for the Nuraghi. Afterward, we take the wheel again – over a historical mining track that once connected the mining operation in the region. Then we follow a longer, but relaxed asphalt stage across the island, passing endless hills, small villages, and wide views – an ideal day to enjoy and arrive at the East Coast of Sardinia. In the evening, we reach the region around Torre Salinas. The medieval watchtower towers over the sea and offers a breathtaking view of the coast and the hinterland. These so-called Saracen towers were once built under the rule of the Genoese and Pisans – as part of an extensive signaling system around the island. At the nearby beach, we let the day end leisurely – with a bit of luck even in the company of flamingos that have found their home in the lagoons here.

Today we start the day with a varied gravel road that is mostly drivable but still contains "the occasional" little challenge – perfect to wake up and refine the driving feel in the terrain. After a short connectivity stage on asphalt, we dive back into the wilderness: Another off-road passage takes us through a rocky landscape with spectacular rock formations that rise up out of nowhere. Shortly thereafter, we reach the legendary ghost town of Gairo Vecchio – an abandoned place that became uninhabitable due to a landslide in the 1950s. The empty houses, overgrown walls, and quiet alleys exude a unique, mystical atmosphere. We explore the ruins on foot and take our time to immerse ourselves in this forgotten world. But the actual driving highlight of the day follows later: A technically demanding route takes us beneath the mighty Flumendosa dam – where the second longest river in Sardinia is dammed. The route is tough: tight turns, rough terrain, and rocky passages where driving skills, ground clearance, and concentration are required. Here, it literally goes over "stock and stone" – and those who master it will be rewarded with epic views and a real adrenaline kick.

The day begins with a little adventure: A collapsed bridge on our first off-road stage forces us to cross a river – water displacement instead of asphalt comfort! A real kickoff that immediately shows us: Today will be exciting!! We then steer toward a remote mountain track in the Monte Limbara massif. There, a real "goosebump moment" awaits lost-place fans: An abandoned US military facility from the Cold War, hidden between rocks and forest. It once served as a listening and radar station – today it is a silent, deserted witness to international power games amid Sardinian solitude. Not far away, we encounter a testimony from even older times: a Nuraghe, one of the iconic, tower-like stone structures that were built nearly 4,000 years ago during the Bronze Age. Long before the Romans, Sardinia was home to a highly developed and still mysterious culture. The route takes us further through the impressive mountains of northern Sardinia. Although there are some longer asphalt stages, the panoramic views and the changing character of the route ensure plenty of driving enjoyment – and after the last intense days, a touch of cruising feeling also does our 4x4 off-roader good. To conclude, we roll back toward the sea. Our camp or hotel today is near the beach, where we can leisurely end the day with a delicious dinner in a cozy restaurant overlooking the sea.

After the exciting days full of adventure and challenges, we take a break today and spend a relaxed day on the beach in Sardinia. The sun, the sound of the sea, and the fine sand invite lingering and enjoying. In the late afternoon, we will then return to Porto Torres, where the night ferry is already waiting to take us back to Genoa in a few hours. On the way back, we still have the opportunity to make a short stop in a beautiful nature park. Here, at the Stagno di Platamona, one of Sardinia's picturesque freshwater lakes, we might even spot a few turtles. With fresh impressions and many new memories in our luggage, we return home, but the experiences of this unique journey will stay with us for a long time.

With the first rays of sunshine, we reach Genoa – the final point of our 4x4 off-road journey, where our paths part for now. The moment of farewell approaches, but the memories of the unique adventure through Sardinia's wild landscapes, hidden history, and spectacular off-road passages will stay with us for a long time. Perhaps the return journey will inspire you to plan the next OVERCROSS® adventure – there is so much more to discover! Who knows, maybe your next destination will already become clear on this journey home: new routes, unknown places, and boundless freedom are already waiting for you. Until next time – maybe soon!