Up to Monte Codi

What sets Monte Codi in the south-west of Sardinia apart are the steady winds blowing on its 850-meter-high summit plateau. Just ten kilometers as the crow flies from the sea, it is therefore perfect for setting up wind turbines. Which is what has now happened. Around two dozen of these propellers stand on the panoramic summit of Monte Codi and supply the surrounding area with clean electricity. The term "clean" is certainly debatable, though. The wind turbines are made of plastic and some of them balsa wood. One has to be disposed of at some point, the other comes from the tropics. But that's not all: animal rights activists complain about the death of birds that get caught in the wind turbines.

Reassuring: Since the tracks around Monte Codi were there before the wind farm, we off-roaders don't need to feel guilty when we take the beautiful gravel tour to its plateau.

About seven kilometers south of Tertenia, we turn west from the SS 125 and make rapid progress on a wide, neat track. We cross a few dry stream beds, then the ascent to the summit begins in the form of an easy-to-ride gravel path. It gradually climbs uphill and meets the asphalted SP 13 at just over 800 meters. Turn right, then again after 500 meters, then the return journey down into the valley to the SS 125 awaits. This is also relatively harmless. Now and then a gully or furrow, but nothing to worry about in the saddle of an enduro or at the wheel of a four-wheel drive.

Tertenia is ideal for a sundowner. The typical Sardinian village with its white and beige facades has a pretty piazza with bars and restaurants. There you can drink a Cannonau red wine at sunset or eat Porceddu (suckling pig) or Culurgiones (filled dumplings).