Monte Ortobene – Sardinia: dense woods, silent statues and wide views over the city of Nuoro. Mount Ortobene dominates the landscape of Nuoro like a familiar and solemn presence. Its almost one thousand meters above sea level make it a natural refuge, a daily destination for those who live at its feet and an essential stop for those looking for inland Sardinia. Granite rocks, shady forests and hidden paths tell of the discreet strength of this mountain. 🌳 Sardinian forest and stone sculptures: Holm oaks, strawberry trees, cork oaks and junipers form a green cover that envelops the paths in every season. Granite emerges everywhere, smoothed by wind and time. Wild boars, foxes and birds of prey move through the branches, while streams and hidden springs flow below. The landscapes change quickly: a bend and the forest opens onto a clearing, one more step and a viewpoint appears. 👉 Tip: Follow the path that leads to Sos Nibberos: it offers one of the most open views of the Nuoro valley and the Gennargentu massif. 🗿 Religious and literary symbol: On the summit stands the statue of Christ the Redeemer, placed in 1901 during the religious mission of the Redeemers. He is an imposing figure, who looks towards the city, which has become a spiritual and cultural point of reference. Grazia Deledda wrote about it with emotion, linking the mountain to her childhood and her narrative imagery. Every year, on the last Sunday of August, the ascent to the Redentore becomes a collective ritual. 👉 Tip: Reach the top in the golden hours of the late afternoon: the light sculpts the rocks and colors the horizon with soft shades. 🥾 Paths, springs and active stillness: The mountain is crisscrossed by numerous trails suitable for all levels: from experienced walkers to families. Water sources such as Istiritta, small picnic areas, remains of sheepfolds and ancient cobbled roads frame a landscape that invites slow movement. In autumn, the colours become warm, while in summer, shaded areas are sought between the trunks. 👉 Tip: Bring binoculars: the skies of the mountain often offer the flight of hawks and kestrels, especially in the morning. 🍴 Simplicity and flavors of the plateau: The cuisine of the area is made up of rustic and deep dishes: boiled sheep, Gallura soup, carasau bread, smoked ricotta, culurgiones and almond and honey desserts. The wines of the Nuoro area, including Cannonau and Granazza, accompany strongly but without excess. 👉 Tip: Try a lunch in a trattoria outside Nuoro: simplicity, hospitality and a cuisine that needs no introduction. 🎉 Festivals, devotion and living tradition: The Feast of the Redeemer is one of the most heartfelt religious events in Sardinia. The procession in costume, the tenor choirs, the traditional dances and the colors of the clothes tell the plurality of Sardinian villages. But the mountain is lived every day: by runners, by the elderly, by families, by those who climb it even just to look at Nuoro from above, in silence. 👉 Tip: If you want to avoid the crowds, explore the Ortobene during the week – you'll feel like you've got it all to yourself. On Monte Ortobene every path leads to something more than a view: it leads into the quietest Sardinia, the one that is in no hurry to be discovered.