Bau Mela Natural Pools Loop Trail

On the border with Barbagie, in the Villagrande Strisaili area, an oak forest holds one of its gems: the natural pools of Bau Mela. You will admire an oasis where the current of the stream of the same name has dug and shaped the granite, through two small waterfalls in rapid succession it generates a fascinating series of jumps and lakes.

The first waterfall, more impressive, creates the largest pool, while the second is divided into other equally accessible pools, where you can immerse yourself in the crystal clear water surrounded by mighty granite walls. The panorama that you will observe during the journey to reach the natural masterpiece is no less magical: lush Mediterranean scrub, centuries-old junipers and expanses of asphodels will accompany you on a journey through wild and uncontaminated landscapes.

The importance of this water resource is also given by the presence of a dam and a hydroelectric power plant, visible along the way, which are part of a system for managing the waters of the area which takes the name of upper Flumendosa plant and includes also the nearby dams of Bau Mandara and Bau Muggeris.

In the surrounding area, you will also find other places to explore: a suggestive route – equipped with tables for rest and picnics – leads to the majestic Sothai waterfall, which flows into the Bau Vigo canyon. In the territory of the nearby hamlet of Villanova Strisaili, at about 700 meters above sea level, there is the Pirincanes gorge, dug by the Rio 'e Forru where the water, eroding the pink granite, has modeled a series of natural pools, called 'potholes of the giants'.

Around the area, there are many archaeological sites: the park of Santa Barbara houses seven tombs of Giants and a megalithic one, 17 nuraghes and ten Nuragic villages. The surroundings of Villanova Strisaili offer other sites: of s'Arcu and is Forros, where it is possible to admire a megaron temple and two well temples, various domus de Janas, the Troculu complex – with two nuraghes, a village and a tomb of giants – and the archaeological area of ​​sa Carcaredda.