Monti del Gennargentu – Sardinia: solitary peaks, cold wind and nature that cannot be tamed. The Gennargentu Mountains form the highest mountain range in Sardinia, crossing the heart of the island between Barbagia, Ogliastra and Mandrolisai. The peaks, such as Punta La Marmora (1834 m) and Bruncu Spina, exceed 1800 meters and retain a severe, primordial character. They are scarcely man-made territories, where nature still dictates the rhythm. 🏔️ A high-altitude plateau and wide silences: The landscape is made up of high-altitude pastures, grassy slopes, bare rocks and yew and holly forests. In winter it can snow heavily, making the Gennargentu also a destination for hikers and snowshoers. The fauna is varied: golden eagles, Sardinian deer, griffon vultures, mouflons and numerous endemic species. Climbing up here is an experience that speaks of space, breath and depth. 👉 Tip: Going up from Arzana or Desulo, walk along the paths towards Punta La Marmora: the view reaches as far as the sea, if the sky is clear. 🥾 Rugged hikes and unspoiled landscapes: Gennargentu is a paradise for challenging trekking and long walks at high altitude. The routes pass through dense forests, high mountain springs, spectacular ridges and grassy clearings. There are no invasive tourist facilities, only spartan shelters, sheepfolds and discreet signposts. The mountain requires respect and restores authenticity. 👉 Tip: Rely on an environmental guide to explore remote areas such as the Supramonte di Urzulei or the highest slopes of Bruncu Spina. 🌿 Pastoral culture and resistant memory: The villages at the foot of the massif – Fonni, Desulo, Tonara, Aritzo – preserve a pastoral life made up of small farms, handicrafts and seasonal rituals. The stone houses, traditional costumes, ritual breads and tenor music tell of a culture that has never tried to conform. 👉 Tip: Visit Fonni in winter: among its snowy streets and the scent of chestnuts, the Gennargentu comes close to the heart. 🍴 High-altitude products and sincere flavors: The cuisine of the mountain areas is essential, nutritious, based on poor but skilfully processed ingredients: carasau bread, boiled sheep, taccula (a sort of thick pasta), aged cheeses and hazelnuts. Mountain Cannonau has a drier profile, ideal to accompany meats and legumes. 👉 Tip: Taste a plate of culurgiones de casu with hot honey: unusual, rustic and surprising. 🎉 Slow life and high-altitude parties: Religious and seasonal festivals are occasions to bring together small but proud communities. In Desulo Sa Montagna is celebrated, in Tonara the Nougat Festival, and in Aritzo the chestnut festival. They are not folkloric events for tourists, but lively moments in which the Gennargentu opens and tells its story in a rough but sincere voice. 👉 Tip: Take part in a local festival in autumn: the colors of the woods and the warmth of the communities will make the experience unforgettable. The Gennargentu Mountains do not seek tourists: they welcome those who know how to walk without haste and listen even when there is nothing to hear.