The chain of Marghine and Goceano are arranged in succession as a single array from west to east, in the north-central area of Sardegna. The Marghine has its mountainous system extending over a number of communes in Nuoro.
Until a few years ago, the large area of the Marghine-Goceano chain was left to be exploited indiscriminately. It is now developing on a new sensibility that demands the environment be protected and treated with respect. The area has now become a Special Protection Area (SPA) with Parco Del Marghine e Goceano already running.
The forest of Goceano is almost 4500 hectares and spans across Bono, Anela, and Bultei. The nearby Marghine presents some of the most majestic and imposing Sardinian forests. The area is rich with stretches of woodlands, pastures and beautiful unobstructed views of the valley of Tirso. While oak trees dominate, there are innumerable species of exotic trees, ferns, and herbs such as maple, hackberry, bramble bushes, clematis, rock rose, and much more. In the nineteenth and twentieth century, some non-native species were planted for experimental purposes – cedar, chestnut, beech, Thuja, fir, American pine, Arizona cypress, and redwood – all of which have blended perfectly into the local habitat.
Also, well represented are boars, foxes, jay, sheep, weasels, Sardinian partridges, wood pigeons, blackbirds, the Sardinian deer, and many others.
The territory is not appreciated for its flora and fauna alone but is also extremely important from an archaeological point of view. There are over a hundred nuraghi, about a dozen tombs of the giants, and numerous Domus de Janas scattered across the area.
The presence of so many archaeological sites of Nuragic and pre-Nuragic origins is due to the area’s strategic location. Its geomorphology is characterised by small hills, various valleys, natural ways, an abundance of water and fertile land, providing useful resources for various populations to thrive. Also, when the Roman Empire was at its peak, the area of Marghine became the boundary between the more Romanised areas and areas where the penetration of the Roman conquerors was met with greater obstacles.
With increased efforts towards research and excavation, combined with the location of many of these historical sites, far from modern traffic and urbanised areas, many monuments have been identified as being in relatively good condition. This is part of what makes the Parco Del Marghine e Goceano even more special.
The Parco Del Marghine e Goceano is wonderful for camping once permission is obtained from the Administration of State Forests in Sassari. The park has various paths that you can follow in peripheral parts without forest cover. It’s not excessively difficult to walk through, except for some rocky mountain sides, perfect for the adventurous hiker. With 31 identified paths for walking or cycling, there are various possibilities for trekking, mountain biking, and archaeology enthusiasts.
From Forte Village Resort, the park is accessible through various Nuoro communes along the E25, including Macomer, Bolotana, and others.
