It is characterised by a unique distinctive feature: it is crossed by the tracks of the Trenino Verde, on board of which you can visit the northern stretches, where this ‘Green Train’ follows a panoramic turn that offers beautiful views, especially in autumn, including steep valleys dotted with the colours of nature. The Uatzo forest is an enormous expanse of conifers, holm oaks, cork oaks, downy oaks and chestnut trees that are perfectly linked to the large expanses of Mediterranean scrub, together covering around 800 hectares of hills and mountains within the Gennargentu park. The territory, a typical area of transition from evergreen and deciduous vegetation of Boreal origin, falls into the municipalities of Belvì, Sorgono and Tonara and is composed of porphyry and schist rocks, dating back to the Paleozoic period. Its peak is Conca Giuanne Fais (at 1,500 metres), with other significant peaks being Bruncu Istiddì and s'Arcu sa Frucca, which rise up thousands of metres. Many streams, some of which are ‘seasonal’ in nature, cross the woods, with Rio is Putzos as the main waterway in Uatzo, being a stand-out. A parallel route runs along the river, with picnic and rest areas.

The forest can also be reached by car on State Road 295 between Belvì and Tonara. From here, you can take the internal natural road and, after about two kilometres, there is the entrance to the ‘green park’. The service centre, as the starting point for fascinating trekking itineraries, is five kilometres from the entrance. The Uatzo forest is the ideal place for excursions and outdoor sporting activities, but also for long and relaxing outings with friends and family with children. It deserves to be visited in a relaxed manner. The forest is a destination for many bird-watchers: along the walks, you may admire the flight of the peregrine falcon, golden eagles and Bonelli’s eagle. Amongst the unique botanical features at high altitudes are specimens of whitebeam, Corsican broom and juniper.

Upon concluding this naturalistic immersion, you can visit the three characteristic villages in the territory in which the forest lies: Belvì, once the main centre of Barbagia from which it takes its name, comprised of narrow paved streets and historic rural houses, famous for is caschettes (bridal sweets), the cherry festival and for the Museo delle Scienze Naturali (Natural Sciences Museum); Tonara, composed of four historical districts, Arasulé, Toneri, Teliseri and the abandoned district of Ilalà, famous for nougat, woodworking and other cultural traditions; and Sorgono, the ‘geographical centre’ of the Island, the historic capital of the Mandrolisai, embellished by architecture of Aragonese derivation and by a 17^th-century Pisan spring in the Funtana Lei district. In the countryside, you can visit the church of San Mauro surrounded by cumbessias, one of the largest rural sanctuaries in Sardinia. Around the three towns are endless prehistoric legacies, above all the menhirs in the Biru ‘e Concas park.