Belvedere di Guardia Vecchia, Caprera
At 212 metres, Guardia Vecchia is the highest point in the entire La Maddalena archipelago, and the panorama from its 19th-century Aragonese watchtower is the kind that stops conversation cold. On a clear day you can see Corsica's mountains, the Gallura coast and a dozen uninhabited islets glittering below.
The Climb and the Reward
A well-marked dirt track winds through Caprera's fragrant macchia — rosemary, cistus and myrtle brush your legs as you ascend — taking about 45 minutes on foot from the nearest parking area near the Garibaldi museum complex.
The old Aragonese watchtower at the summit is locked but you can walk its entire base; the 360-degree unobstructed view takes in the Bocche di Bonifacio strait, the white smudge of Bonifacio's cliffs in Corsica to the north, and the Gallura hills of mainland Sardinia to the south.
Sunset is the undisputed prime time: the granite islands turn amber then deep rose, and the water between them becomes a sheet of hammered copper. Bring a jacket — the wind picks up sharply as the light fades.
Practical Trail Notes
The trailhead is best reached by scooter or bicycle from La Maddalena town — hire both on Via Amendola for around €15–20 per day. There is a small unpaved car park near the Compendio Garibaldino from which the signed path begins.
Carry water; there are no facilities on the trail. Trail shoes are sufficient — the path is rocky but not technical. The walk is suitable for most fitness levels and takes roughly 1.5 hours return.
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