Foliage is that time of year when nature around us changes as the seasons change, and the symbol of this transition is the colour of the woods, which from bright green increasingly takes on yellow and orange hues. In central Sardinia, thanks to the high quantity of deciduous plants such as chestnuts, hazels and downy oaks, every year it is possible to admire this spectacle of nature and be enchanted by it.
Now becoming a fashion, many people organise real excursions to visit the woods for the autumn foliage. This is good for us, not only for the photos to post on social media, which will be beautiful, but also for our health. Indeed, walking in the woods, breathing clean air and immersing oneself in this colourful and fragrant reality helps reduce stress and anxiety.
The best time to see the autumn foliage in Sardinia
Obviously, the best time to see this natural transition from green to orange is in the autumn, in Sardinia particularly between mid-October and November where, due to the different light conditions and the temperature range between day and night, the green leaves give way to the warmer, more enveloping colours of autumn until they fall completely as winter approaches.
Walks in the orange forests of Barbagia
The island’s hinterland, and Barbagia in particular, is the best place to admire the autumn foliage amidst the silence and scents of nature. If you want to go for sure, Aritzo is the ideal destination. Unspoilt nature, clean air and springs of water make this village a popular holiday resort in autumn. The village is also famous as ‘the capital of chestnuts’ because the chestnut festival is held here every year in autumn. Other Barbagia villages in which to admire the changing colours of nature are Belvì, a village surrounded by huge chestnut, hazelnut and oak forests, and Desulo, in whose woods several enchanting trekking paths wind their way. Fonni and Tonara, before giving us those splendid snowy views, are tinged with orange. Fonni is the highest village in Sardinia, which is why it becomes a popular ski destination in winter, but in autumn, the surrounding forests become a great orange expanse where one can embark on intense trekking routes. Tonara, the land of nougat, has an immense natural expanse around it, made up of thousand-year-old chestnut trees, walnuts and hazelnuts. If you decide to explore its woods, several hiking, biking and even horseback riding excursions depart from the village. This is also a prized area for mushrooms, so be sure to look down into the undergrowth from time to time as you watch the foliage.
Barbagia express, the most popular train route for autumn lovers.
Barbagia express is Sardinia’s green train route that retraces the journey made by English writer David Herbert Lawrence, who dedicated his book ‘Sea and Sardinia’ to Sardinia. With the slowness typical of twentieth-century journeys, it departs from Mandas and travels through three historical regions of Sardinia, Sarcidano, Barbagia and Mandrolisai. From Mandas, the train passes through Barumini and Isili to Laconi, the western gateway to Barbagia. From here the train reaches the highest point of the railway, stopping at the Ortuabis station. It continues its route into the mountains among colourful forests and wild nature, passing the Nolza nuraghe at Meana Sardo before reaching the foot of the Gennargentu at the Belvì-Aritzo station. The route continues through beautiful orange forests to the stations of the mountain villages Desulo and Tonara and then ends in Sorgono, the centre of Mandrolisai. At the end of the route, you should pay a visit to the menhir of Biru ‘e Concas, the Sanctuary of San Mauro Abate and enjoy a good glass of Mandrolisai red wine.
