Capo d’Orso
Palau, Italy
A granite rock eroded into the shape of a bear, high above the La Maddalena strait. A short climbing path leads up from the car park.
The Bear Rock on Capo d’Orso near Palau, in northern Gallura, is a granite outcrop smoothed by wind and weather, standing on a rise more than 120 m above sea level. It is a little over 5 km from Palau. The headland was already known in antiquity as “promontorium arcti”, the Bear Cape; the geographer Ptolemy mentioned it in the 2nd century AD and wrote that it drew ships towards it like a magnet. The writer Victor Bérard identified it as the land of the Laestrygonians in Homer’s Odyssey.
The path starts at Capo d’Orso Fort, one of the 19th-century fortifications around Palau. The panoramic trail is about 500 m long and climbs gently, taking roughly 10 minutes. From the top you can see the whole La Maddalena archipelago. Including the drive, you could allow about an hour. The walk is short, but sturdy shoes are still a good idea.
- Nearest town
- Palau, Italy
- Category
- Roadside oddities
- GPS
- 41.1760, 9.4210
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June, August and December. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Italy: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autostrade; pay at the barrier by card or cash. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Camping Capo D'OrsoCampsite2 km from Capo d’OrsoTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalDogs allowed
- SaracenoCampsite2 km from Capo d’OrsoTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalDogs allowed
- Camping AcapulcoCampsite4 km from Capo d’OrsoTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalDogs allowed
- Centro Vacanze IsuleddaCampsite5 km from Capo d’OrsoTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Isola dei GabbianiCampsite9 km from Capo d’OrsoTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDogs allowed
- Agricamping Petra di CossuCampsite19 km from Capo d’OrsoTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityWi-Fi
All campsites in Italy · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Capo d’Orso?
Capo d’Orso is in Palau, Italy, at GPS 41.1760, 9.4210. It is about 4 km from La Maddalena.
Can you camp near Capo d’Orso?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Camping Capo D'Orso, about 2 km away; within 25 km there are 10 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Capo d’Orso?
Capo d’Orso is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Gallura: granite coast of northern Sardinia.
What is there to see near Capo d’Orso?
Places worth a stop nearby: Capo Testa (24 km), Bonifacio cliffs (32 km), Rondinara bay (35 km) and Palombaggia beach (43 km).
When is the best time to visit Capo d’Orso?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June, August and December. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)