Sa Conca Ruja & 3 Best Places of Monte Tuttavista

Portal to Another World

A hole in the mountine that looks like a gateway to a fantasy world. The ruins of a church where time stopped in the 14th century. And a viewpoint guarded by a local pal, offering a panoramic view of the endless blue horizon. All this and more awaits you at Monte Tuttavista, a hill near the Sardinian town of Orosei, hiding stories older than your grandma. And I decided to uncover them.

As I mentioned before, in the picturesque town of Orosei, where I spent some time during the summer with my colleagues and the locals living their everyday lives, you’ll find stunning beaches and a rather impressive hill. This hill near Orosei is called Monte Tuttavista. It offers a wealth of natural attractions worth exploring, whether you’re seeking an adrenaline-filled adventure or simply want to admire breathtaking views.

The Path to Sa Conca Ruja: How to Find the Hidden Crevice?

One of my first adventures on this island started with a distant view of an unusual hole in a mountine. You’re probably wondering how to get there—does a trail lead to it, or do you have to battle your way through fields and boulders? Let me explain. Along with Šimon, who I’d like to give a shoutout to here, we decided to explore this spot.

Together, we walked and biked dozens, if not hundreds, of kilometers. The hole we were headed for is called Sa Conca Ruja, which, in the Sardinian language (closely related to Latin but slowly disappearing on the island, where Italian is mostly used), means ‘The Red Hollow.’ While it didn’t look all that red, it was most definitely a hollow.

Navigational lifehack:

Take a look for yourself—how fascinating it looks from a distance. Just a random hole in a hill, right? Our key landmark was a roundabout just outside the town. Of course, we checked Google Maps and used satellite images to see if we could spot a trail leading up to it.

That’s a lifehack I definitely recommend—using satellite views to find hidden paths that aren’t always marked on maps but are actually accessible. In the end, we even stumbled upon a sign confirming we were on the right track to Sa Conca Ruja.

The ruins of a church Chiesa di Nostra Signora di Loddusio

On the path we chose, we stumbled upon the ruins of an old church – Chiesa di Nostra Signora di Loddusio. This small church was built back in 1363, and today, only its outer walls and part of the roof remain. The interior is a single large space that was once divided into three sections. The back of the church, where the priest’s area used to be, is covered by a curved ceiling that’s lower than the main part of the building. At the front, there’s a simple entrance without windows or elaborate decorations.

This spot is perfect for history lovers and fans of old architecture. Although there’s not much left of it, I highly recommend visiting—it’s like a mini urbex adventure. Totally worth it!”

Sa Conca Ruja: A Cave, Bats, and a Movie-Like View

On the map, we spotted several trails that seemed like they could lead us to our destination, or we could’ve simply asked the locals, as there were residential houses near the small church. From the map photos, we saw a forest trail extending from this spot.

At the entrance to the forest—just a short distance from the church—we came across a sign encouraging us to take that very path. So, naturally, we followed it.

During our hike, we crossed a valley filled with rocks—a truly fantastic trekking experience. Was it challenging? Definitely. The sun was relentless, but was it worth it? Absolutely.

After a few minutes of hiking, we discovered more small cavities in the rocks that oddly resembled human noses. Take a look for yourself—nature can be both strange and fascinating at the same time.

We climbed over boulders and large rocks, with a clear goal in mind and a firm determination to make it. The higher we went, the more stunning the views became. Take a look for yourself—I’m sure you’d want to go there too.

After about an hour of walking, we reached our final destination—a cave offering a breathtaking view that made all the effort worthwhile. This crevice/cave was incredible in its appearance, and I had never seen anything like it before—not even in pictures, let alone in real life.

In one part of the cave, accessible only through a narrow crevice (see the first photo), we entered a small space that led to an even smaller area (second photo), which was too tight and had an unpleasant smell. Later, we discovered that this part of the cave served as a shelter for bats, and a few of them flew right past us.

The photos you see here are from this less accessible section of the cave. From there, we were rewarded with a stunning view of the surrounding landscape, revealing vast green fields and a blue horizon. The view from this perspective was truly majestic, showing us the hidden beauty that can be found in the most inaccessible places.

If you want to reach this part of the cave, be prepared for a bit of climbing. There are ropes about two meters long in place to help you navigate the slippery and worn-down rocks. You’ll need to be cautious, as this route requires some skill and is entirely at your own risk.

Once you successfully make the climb, you’ll be rewarded with the opportunity to capture truly majestic views—definitely worth snapping a photo!

And what then?

On our way back, we chose a different route that was a bit of a detour. Along the way, we came across stone marks, often used in the mountains as navigation points when colorful trail markers are missing.

During the hike, we also discovered an unmarked crevice that doesn’t appear on maps. If you follow this path and keep to the left, you’ll circle around the hill and reach the main road. The next photo will show you how to navigate this route.

Along this trail, you’ll also notice massive boulders with stunning shapes. At the end of the day, treat yourself and take the opportunity to enjoy some delicious ice cream at the local gelateria, Bar-Gelateria-Pasticeria Smeralda.

What Else Can You Discover on Monte Tuttavista Hill?

And that’s not all! The hill boasts at least three viewpoints (that I know of), each offering breathtaking views of the surroundings. Let me tell you about one of them now, and I’ll introduce you to the other two in the next part of the blog.

Our first stop is Vedetta Anticendio. It’s a house where a local guy lives—a friendly person, but only as long as you don’t cross the barriers beyond the cliff. He’s just worried you might fall off the cliff.

Vendetta Anticendio

The path to the Vedetta Anticendio viewpoint is similar to the one leading to Sa Conca Ruja. First, you’ll pass through the roundabout and continue straight toward the olive groves and the quarry. From there, a forest trail will take you all the way to the top of the hill.

As you walk up the steep paths, you’ll appreciate the shade from the trees and bushes—though it will make you sweat even more due to the humidity. Still, don’t forget to bring at least three liters of water for those hot summer days. Trust me, you’re going to need it! You’ll be drinking like crazy.

After a few minutes of walking, you’ll reach a crossroads. Here, take the path to the right, which will give you a view of the quarry below. If you follow this route, in about 15 minutes, you’ll arrive at a small house where an older man lives—a friendly guy.

From here, you’ll get a stunning view of the landscape, sitting approximately 806 meters above sea level. Beyond the barriers, the scenery becomes even more mesmerizing, and this spot is definitely worth a stop. Just be careful and proceed at your own.

At this spot, you can move around freely and, if you feel like it, have a chat with the older gentleman who lives there. Just a heads-up—he only speaks Italian, as he doesn’t understand English. Even so, it was a great experience, and the atmosphere of this place is truly unique.

Make sure to set aside at least half an hour to enjoy the views—it’s totally worth it. Exploring the entire hill makes for a great day, so start early in the morning before the sun gets too intense.

Where does the trail on the hill lead next? What are the other two places you can discover? Find out in the next part, so stay tuned. And don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and sign up for the newsletter!

Flying Easterner

Cross your boundaries – that’s where the treasure you’re seeking is hidden.