The coast of Sardinia north of Isola Rossa is amazing. Red granite cliffs, sculpted by the sea and the wind, create dramatic and unique landscapes. Starting from Costa Paradiso, we explored the area with a beautiful coastal walk as far as Cala Tinnari, passing by Cala Li Cossi.

 

Trekking: from Cala Li Cossi to Cala Tinnari (Isola Rossa, Costa Paradiso, Sardinia)

 

My recent trip to Sardinia offered a wonderful opportunity to discover this fascinating coastal route. I was particularly impressed by the quality of the signage and the well-maintained state of the trail—something that cannot always be taken for granted in this area.

The route begins at the paid parking lot (active only during the summer) at the end of Via Al Mare, near the Costa Paradiso Nautical Center (and the "Bar Al Porto" kiosk). You can see my route map below. The trail starts on the southern side of the parking lot and is clearly marked with signs.

The first section leads to the magnificent Cala Li Cossi in just 15 minutes; the scenery is spectacular from the very first steps.

 

 

Click here for the complete slide gallery of the excursion

   

In fact, as you look around along this first stretch, you are immediately captivated by the rocks surrounding the path—and those scattered in the sea near the coastline—which take on imaginative shapes and create stunning plays of light and color.

Shortly before reaching Cala Li Cossi—just 10 minutes into the walk—a small detour to your right leads to a massive, complex rock formation (photo below), surrounded by the so called "tafoni" (naturally weathered rocks) that resemble animals (photo above). Suddenly, Cala Li Cossi comes into view: calm and sheltered, it invites you to take a dip, no matter the season.

After a brief stop to admire the beach and the bay (during the high season, there is even a small kiosk), the trail continues along the southern side of the cove, requiring a bit of scrambling—there is even a rope to assist you. It is a very short section, so there is no need to worry. That said, I highly recommend wearing comfortable hiking shoes rather than flip-flops, as some people choose to do.

Beyond this point, the path levels out into a wide trail, offering constant, beautiful vistas. After 1.9 km from the start, you will reach a "stazzo" (a traditional Sardinian rural dwelling), where you’ll find a key junction: to the right, the coastal path continues; to the left, a dirt road offers a shorter, inland route that is less scenic. On my trip, I took the coastal path on the way to Tinnari and the dirt road on the way back.

The coastal trail winds along the shore, marked by red-and-white painted blazes. However, it is still possible to lose your way if you become too distracted by the scenery—you might end up following a side trail that leads only to a small cove or a scenic viewpoint. Refer to my track frequently—make sure to download it beforehand.

After about 3 km, the trail turns back inland, descends to a gap in the rocks where the sea flows in, and then climbs back up, following the coastline.

The cove of Cala Tinnari begins to come into view in the distance. In my case, it appeared with patches of silvery light, created by the sun filtering through the clouds.

 

 

 

There is one final stretch to go, where you walk through a sort of tunnel formed by Mediterranean scrub—be careful, as you might get scratched if you’re wearing shorts and a T-shirt. You then reach the only challenging part of the trail: a very steep section—equipped with ropes to assist you—that leads down to the beach. It’s only a short distance, but do take care.

Once past this obstacle, you arrive at the expanse of grey pebbles at Cala Tinnari, created by the stream that flows from inland. The stretch of sea in front of the beach features several partially submerged rocks and, most notably, a pyramidal red granite sea stack that contrasts with the colors of the beach and instantly draws the eye. I took a break, did some yoga, and enjoyed a refreshing swim in the bay’s clear, emerald-hued waters. It’s remarkable how warm the sea is—around 25°C (77°F)—this October 2026, following one of the hottest summers on record.

I then headed back to the parking area at Costa Paradiso, retracing my steps (with the exception of the section mentioned earlier), just in time to enjoy a beautiful sunset over the sea—sipping a thirst-quenching beer beside my camper van.

These are the kinds of experiences and days that make you fall in love with Sardinia.

Ciao. Fabio

Click here for the complete slide gallery of the excursion