Supramontes

Supramontes are two mountain range located on the central-eastern coast of Sardinia, whose area encompasses the municipalities of Oliena, Orgosolo, Dorgali, Baunei and Urzulei. The average height of its mountains is about 900 m, while the highest peak is 1,463 m (Mount Corrasi). Here the territory consists of highlands with deep, intensely jagged valleys called codulas, which flow into the sea, interrupting the coastal limestone cliffs in a landscape characterized by bluffs, crags, deep gorges, dolines and sinkholes. A little-known region is  Supramonte of Urzulei which includes the wildest part of the whole territory. Its stratigraphy consists of a Paleozoic basement overlain by a limestone complex comprised of basal conglomerates, visible in some places, for example in the Flumineddu valley. Above the basal conglomerates we find dolomite and clearly stratified whitish limestone.  The whole region is sparsely populated.   Communication routes are few and negotiable only with considerable difficulty. All this is underlined by the fact that the only buildings remaining in the territory are ancient Sardinian shepherds' huts, called cuiles, isolated structures built of stone and wood that for centuries were the shepherds' shelters, where goats, sheep and pigs were raised. The flora is exceptionally rich and varied. The most common tree species are holm oak, yew, juniper and phillyrea. The fauna consists mainly of mouflon, wild boar, foxes, eagles, buzzards and various other species of birds and mammals common in mountain areas. However, a special mention must go to the rare Sardinian brook salamander and the Supramonte cave salamander.