On November 14th and 15th, the nearly three thousand hectares of the Pattada forest complex will open their doors to a weekend of scientific debate, outdoor sports, fine craftsmanship, and community traditions.
A natural cathedral among holm oaks, cork oaks and wildlife
Stretching across nearly three thousand hectares and reaching an altitude of 1,093 meters, the state-owned forest of Monte Lerno represents a true highlight of the Sardinian mountain landscape. Between the holm oak groves of Sos Littos, the historic cork oak forests of Trataxis, and the banks of its lakes, the area is a paradise for nature photography and for spotting deer, mouflon, wild horses, and golden eagles. The initiative was born precisely to bring the forest to life, not as a mere recreational setting or trailhead, but as a common and ecological asset to be respected and preserved, in its deep connection to local history.
Saturday, November 14: Governance, Common Goods, and the Economy of the Road
The event will kick off on Saturday, November 14th at 3:30 PM in the Museum Hall of the Monte Lerno Forest Presidium with the conference "Forest Management and Community: Rules of Use and Common Goods." Introduced and moderated by Dr. Valeria Soru, Director of the General Affairs Service of FoReSTAS, the scientific session will focus on the planning and governance of the Sardinian Hiking Network (RES).
The agenda will include a historical overview of forestry administration by Salvatore Mele, Director of Territorial Services of Nuoro and Tempio Pausania, and an analysis of the coexistence of civic uses by Professor Gianni Battacone, Scientific Coordinator of the Center for Studies on Civic Lands at the University of Sassari. Following this, Alessio Saba will discuss the management of outdoor tourism flows and the new regional technical regulation (RES 2026), while Maurizio Battelli, President of the Extra Association, will explore the economics of walking as a resource for regional development. The meeting will be held in an exhibition space with panels dedicated to trails and the progress of LIFE projects.
Sunday, November 15: A total experience in the heart of the forest
On Sunday, November 15th, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the forest will be transformed into a vibrant open-air laboratory. In the shelter nestled in the cork oak forest, visitors will be able to explore the exhibition "The Natural Treasures of an Island," curated by the Agency's environmental education staff.
For hiking enthusiasts, two major guided trails are planned: the expert trail (Sentiero delle Sorgenti, level EE, 11 km, 4 hours) exploring historic water features such as Sa Pedrosa, S'Abba Lughida, Curzuosidde, Sa Mela, and S'Abba Manna; and the Sentiero dei Mufloni (level E, 6 km), with scenic stops up to the AIB lookout point at Monte de Sas Crabas. Outdoor activities will offer a full range of experiences, from e-MTB (electrically assisted mountain bike) excursions to six rounds of archery, a first taste of the "Zoccoli nel Bosco" saddle, and exciting canoeing and orienteering trials ("Acqua & Orienteering") on the high-altitude lakes.
Environmental education, artisan excellence and a parade of traditions
Special attention will be given to the littlest ones (aged 6 to 12) with the educational games "Find the Intruder," "We Live Here," and "My Habitat Shrunk," enhanced by educational workshops on bees from the FoReSTAS Agency and dedicated gadgets.
Local culture will be showcased at exhibition stands curated by the Pattada Pro Loco, featuring tastings of traditional products and displays of the famous Pattada cutlery, jewelry, leather goods, bread, and traditional sweets. In the afternoon, the atmosphere will warm up with the sounds of the four-part choir "Santa Rughe" and the evocative public donning of the traditional Pattada costume in the Museum Hall. The day will conclude with the environmental awareness initiative "Everything you take into the woods must come back with you," dedicated to collective cleaning of frequented areas.
Practical information and traffic
To reach the Monte Lerno forestry complex, simply take the SP 128 bis Ozieri-Pattada or the SS 389 Pattada-Buddusò; all activities are free but reservations are required on the event's online platform .