Montiferru: a trip on the Moufflons Path.

A trip which is easy at the start and particularly interesting because we walk along a forest path where several moufflons live. We set off at an altitude of about 1,000 metres to get to Monte Urtigu (1,050 metres), so there ' s a small vertical ascent during the journey there, but it's actually more demanding coming back down; to see the moufflons you have to descend a few hundred metres downhill. Then we have to go up on a ridge which is a bit tiring because there isn ' t a good path. However, the effort of the return journey is rewarded when we meet some moufflons which fill the area. There will be various breaks during the trip: on Monte Urtigu, where you get a great view of the Gulf of Oristano (especially the Sinis peninsula) and when there is good visibility you can also see the east coast of Sardinia. We will have a break near a natural spring immersed in an oak forest and finally, on the return journey we can stop to pick corbezzoli (Arbutus unedo) and chestnuts.

Altitude: 1050 metres

Ascent: approximate 300 metres

Actual walking time : 3½ hours

Grade: moderate.

In the photo: a moufflon is watching us from the top.