The best hiking routes in Saline di Molentargius

Saline di Molentargius is a flat wetland system squeezed between the urban sprawl of Cagliari and the sandy coastline of Poetto. Unlike typical coastal marshes, this area is defined by its stark division between freshwater basins and highly saline evaporation ponds. Walking here means navigating a landscape of geometric salt pans, concrete canals, and low-lying embankments rather than natural sand dunes or deep valleys. The terrain is entirely level, offering no elevation gain or sheltered woodland, leaving walkers exposed to the open sky.

Underfoot, the paths consist of hard-packed dirt tracks, gravel service roads, and occasional wooden boardwalks that cross the marshier edges. The vegetation is specialized and sparse, dominated by salt-tolerant glasswort and low shrubs that thrive in the brackish soil. In the winter months, particularly around January, the water levels in the basins are high, attracting large concentrations of greater flamingos and other waterfowl that feed in the shallow flats close to the walking trails.

The area is highly accessible, meaning the main tracks near the park entrances are frequently shared with local cyclists and runners. To find quieter stretches, you must follow the longer perimeter tracks that run alongside the active salt pans, where the smell of brine is strongest and the industrial heritage of the former saltworks is most visible in the rusting sluice gates and decaying stone channels.