What to do · Stintino and Asinara Island
Capo Falcone tower, a viewpoint over La Pelosa and Asinara
Information
- Duration
- 1 h
- Season
- All year
- Who it's for
- All ages with closed shoes; cliffs without railings
Capo Falcone is the last point of the Stintino peninsula, right above La Pelosa. At the top, on a terrace about 200 metres above the sea, stands the Falcone tower, a Spanish watchtower against Barbary raids and, according to Sardegna Turismo, the tallest in the Nurra, the north-western district of the island. Sardegna Turismo dates it to the 16th century, although its entries do not agree on the year: 1537 in one and 1557 in another. It formed part of a line of coastal towers, together with the one on the islet of La Pelosa.
The climb
From Stintino you follow the La Pelosa road for about 5 km, pass the beach and, after a few bends, turn right towards the cape. From there, a path climbs to the tower; it can also be done by mountain bike. Allow an hour for the climb, the views and the descent. The terrain is rock and scrub, with no shade: wear closed shoes and bring water and a hat in summer. The cliffs on the west side have no railing, so with children, go hand in hand.
What you see from the top
The cape separates two seas. To the west, high cliffs of dark schist drop to the open sea, deep blue and stirred by the wind. To the east, the inner sea: shallow, clear water for dozens of metres, with La Pelosa, the islet with its tower, La Pelosetta and, further south, Le Saline. On a clear day you can make out Capo Caccia and the Argentiera coast to the south, and to the north Isola Piana and all of Asinara.
The ravines of the cape are a breeding area for the peregrine falcon, and the Eleonora's falcon, a very scarce species, visits too. If you have binoculars, take them up.
When to go
At sunset, the sun sets over the open sea, behind the cape, and the light falls low over La Pelosa. Early in the morning there are fewer people and less heat. In a strong mistral, the wind on the terrace can be uncomfortable: choose another day. The climb is free and has no opening hours. It is the best complement to a morning at La Pelosa: you go up after lunch or at the end of the day, when the beach starts to empty.
As a family
