A unique and unspoiled place where you can discover a dreamlike lunar atmosphere: in the post, all the tips for visiting the Valley of the Moon.
Who lives in Santa Teresa Gallura one often hears a strange question asked by those arriving for the first time in the village: where to find the Valley of the Moon, the enchanted place where hippies live.
The history of the Valley of the Moon
At the end of the sixties a group of naturists and flower children had found a home in a small valley, with a spring of fresh water, inside the Capo Testa promontory, a few kilometers from the town. Gradually the number of people who resided permanently grew to become a community capable of preserving the pristine beauty of this place and making it a myth known throughout the world.
Over the years the community has shrunk and today there are very few people who live all year round in the Valley of the Moon. Still, however, you can still see some camps created in the caves scattered around Capo Testa.
A magical show
This promontory has a unique charm throughout the territory, enclosed in the enormous rocks shaped by the wind and with the strangest shapes that light up during the full moon nights to form a lunar landscape. Throughout the summer, on the nights of the full moon, large bonfires are lit on the beaches to contemplate this suggestive spectacle.
The small paths immersed in the Mediterranean scrub give the idea of crossing a mysterious threshold and entering a magical place. Another feature is the spectacular view of the Strait of Bonifacio.
The cliff overlooking the sea offers glimpses of the crystal clear sea with coves, ravines and small beaches, many of which can be reached with the marked paths. The Valley of the Moon can be visited on foot, the entrance is located near the lighthouse in the highest part of the promontory. On the left of the lighthouse there are signs to take the first path that leads directly to Cala Grande beach.
For those who love walking, it is possible to spend the whole day exploring the various marked trails that cross the promontory.
When to visit Capo Testa
The most suggestive moments to visit Capo Testa are sunrise and sunset, when everything is colored thanks to the sun's rays, the rocks shine creating plays of light and shadow on the ground.
Spring is the best time because it offers all the scents of the Mediterranean scrub and blooms, while in winter, during the days of strong wind, you can enjoy the spectacle of the waves breaking on the rocks. The Valle della Luna is however a place not to be missed and to be visited throughout the year.
Capo Testa is easily reachable from Santa Teresa, as soon as you enter the town at the traffic lights you will find the signs on the left that lead to your destination.
