The most important karst spring in Sardinia
At the foot of the Supramonte, a few kilometres from Oliena, in the valley of the Cedrino river, Su Gologone is the most important karst spring in Sardinia and a natural monument. Its water, which comes from a vast underground network of channels that collect the rain falling on the limestone of the Supramonte, gushes out from a deep crack in the rock at the bottom of a small cliff, forming a pool of incredible colour, from emerald green to deep blue, of extraordinary transparency.
The flow is on average about 300 litres per second, but after heavy rains it can increase enormously. Speleologists have explored the submerged cavity to a depth of over 100 metres without reaching the bottom, making it one of the deepest springs in Italy. The water, constantly cold, flows into the Cedrino river, among eucalyptus trees and oleanders. Next to the spring stands the small country church of San Giovanni, where a festival is held in summer. The area is surrounded by the limestone walls of the Supramonte and is the starting point of the road to the Valle di Lanaittu, with its nuragic sites and caves, and to the village of Tiscali. Nearby, the famous hotel and restaurant Su Gologone is known for its traditional Sardinian cuisine, including suckling pig roasted on the spit.
Tip: swimming in the spring is forbidden; the best light is in the morning. Combine the visit with Oliena and the Valle di Lanaittu.
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