KAYAK ON COGHINAS RIVER

The Coghinas River is the most important waterway of the North of Sardinia. With a length of 116 km is the third longest river of the island, second for amplitude of the river basin and for average flow of water. Our kayak trip will start from the medieval village (now disappeared) of Valledoria where the central tower of the castle still dominates the area, it was built in the thirteenth by the Doria noble family. Also Roman Empire knew this area because, right where begins our hike, there are a lot of thermal spring; here the water reach a temperature of 80 degrees. It will not be difficult to meet the people of Santa Maria di Coghinas swim along this stretch of river where you can also slather the body with 'miraculous' mud. The beauty of the place is enhanced by lush bush and the imposing rocky mountains. Our adventure starts here, among the thermal spring!The Coghinas River is the most important waterway of the North of Sardinia. With a length of 116 km is the third longest river of the island, second for amplitude of the river basin and for average flow of water. Our kayak trip will start from the medieval village (now disappeared) of Valledoria where the central tower of the castle still dominates the area, it was built in the thirteenth by the Doria noble family. Also Roman Empire knew this area because, right where begins our hike, there are a lot of thermal spring; here the water reach a temperature of 80 degrees. It will not be difficult to meet the people of Santa Maria di Coghinas swim along this stretch of river where you can also slather the body with 'miraculous' mud. The beauty of the place is enhanced by lush bush and the imposing rocky mountains. Our adventure starts here, among the thermal spring!

We then start the descent, leaving behind the thermal springs, here the river begins to take on an uneven trend, serpenteggiante alternating small rapid and modest enlargements. Around us the vegetation is lush and unspoiled: dominate large trees of Eucalyptus and 'water tamarisk' trees that seem to want to capture us!

We move along the river where spectral abandoned bridges and quarries are now the only anthropization signal. The Coghinas River takes about 15 kilometers from the thermal area of Santa Maria di Coghinas to the Gulf of Asinara where it emerge into the sea. It will be extremely easy to meet trout and carp under our kayaks while around us pelicans, hawks, ducks and many other species make unforgettable the day!

We can choose among three different routes in the Coghinas:

- a  medium/easy half-day route from the hot springs to the bridge of Babbudoiu
- a  easy half-day route from Babbudoiu bridge to mouth of the river (sea)
- a  medium day route of 6 hours from the hot springs to the mouth of Coghinas in the sea