Baunei Sportclimbing 2025, the new guidebook to Sardinia's east coast by Maurizio Oviglia

The guidebook to climbing at Baunei, on the east coast of Sardinia, is now in its third edition. This small pocket book has quickly become one of the best-selling guidebooks on the island, so much so that right after the first edition, published in 2018, an update was needed the following year.

The first edition was differed significantly from Maurizio Oviglia's previous works, in particular Pietra di Luna, considered by many to be the "bible" of rock climbing in Sardinia. "Baunei Sportclimbing" marked a radical shift away from these books, as the traditional 15x21 cm format was abandoned in favour of a smaller and "pocket-sized" 12x17, just like Michel Piola's legendary guidebooks to Mont Blanc massif.

The stories about the climbers, detailed route descriptions and large photographs all disappeared, in favor of dry and no-frills information, similar to that found in the new generation of sport climbing guidebooks. This decision was questionable and not particularly appreciated by those who'd fallen in love with the old Pietra di Luna, but which found favor with many climbers who liked the price - particularly cheap compared to other guidebooks to the island - and the small rucksack format. This guide was also the first in Sardinia to use drone photos (taken by Paolo Contini) to indicate access and the route lines. It's worth pointing out that the guide only covered the sports crags, whereas the Baunei area is famous above all for its plethora of multi-pitch climbs.

Oviglia made a partial remedy in 2020 with the second edition, which features a beautiful and captivating cover. This edition contains a selection of multi-pitches located on the most popular peaks of Pedra Longa, Punta Su Mulone and Aguglia, once again described with all the basic information only.

In the 2025 edition, published on 13 November 2024, it was necessary to increase the pages to 168 to include all the new climbs of the area that is becoming one of the most popular destinations for climbers from all over the world. While maintaining its focus on single pitch sports climbs, the guide now also includes the multi-pitch climbs on Punta Giradili and the south, north and east face of Punta Su Mulon. All the other large walls are (still) excluded, such as Argennas, Ginnircu, Oronnoro. Furthermore, the routes on the highly popular Aguglia di Goloritzè and Pedra Longa have been updated.

In addition to all this, there are also various other new features: larger characters, QR codes with the coordinates of the crag and parking lot, information on the year of bolting and any re-bolting. These details are extremely important, given that these cliffs are close to the sea, where the type of material and the year of bolting are fundamental. All this information has prompted the author, who is also the publisher of the book, to consider two separate editions, one Italian and one English. Compared to the 2020 edition, the price has increased by only 3 euros, from 15 to 18.

BAUNEI SPORTCLIMBING 2025, by Maurizio Oviglia
Pietra di Luna Edizioni
Two separate editions, Italian and English
12 x 17 cm, 168 color pages with maps, routes, photographs
Cover by Michael Piccolruaz - Photographs by the author and various photographers

Available on the publisher's website www.pietradiluna.com  (free shipping in Italy) or in specialized bookstores and on the web