The best hiking routes in Isola di Santa Maria

Isola di Santa Maria, located in the Maddalena Archipelago off northern Sardinia, offers a distinct walking environment characterized by low-lying, flat terrain rather than the dramatic granite peaks found on neighboring islands. The landscape is dominated by dense Mediterranean macchia scrub, dry pastures, and a brackish lagoon known as Porto Madonna. Walkers will find a stark contrast between the dry, aromatic shrubland of the interior and the damp, salty margins of the lagoon, which attracts wading birds. There are no marked hiking trails or mountain ridges, only a network of dusty dirt tracks and sandy paths linking the main landing points to the lighthouse at Punta Filetto.

Underfoot, the terrain consists of loose granite sand, packed earth, and coastal rocks. Walking here is straightforward and flat, making it suitable for those seeking a gentle coastal stroll rather than a demanding hike. The vegetation is kept low by the constant maritime exposure, meaning there is very little shade along the paths. In spring, particularly around April, the scrub is green and dotted with wildflowers, while by late summer the landscape turns a dry, dusty brown.

This island is a quiet alternative to the larger, more rugged islands nearby. While the main beach can attract day-trippers during the peak summer months, the interior tracks leading toward the lighthouse remain largely empty. It is a place to observe coastal salt-tolerant plants and simple pastoral ruins rather than dramatic gorges or dense forests.