Accessible trails

From the start of this stage we overcome some challenging ups and downs and immerse ourselves in the beauty of the coastal landscape until we reach the limestone cliffs of Masua.

The brevity of the route leaves time for visits to the extraordinary structures of industrial archaeology, from the Laveria Lamarmora  to the great mining engineering work of Porto Flavia, built on the cliffs.

Here, along with the magnificent coastal landscape, you can admire the colours and structures of the geological formations that tell the story of the evolution of the earth’s crust in Italy’s oldest land.

Please note that there are not food shops, bars or restaurants in Masua. The owner of the hostel (the only accommodation facility) can provide you with everything you need on arrival, please ask for information when booking.

Safety and useful tips

Some passages, particularly at the beginning of the downhill to the Lamarmora washery, are exposed to falling from above - do not lean towards the exposed part and keep to the centre or to the upstream side of the roadway.

At the end of the stage, follow the asphalted road in order to reach the parking area of Masua. Watch out for passing vehicles.

Even at the end of the stage, in the stretch towards the Masua beach, the passage (albeit on a wide roadway) appears exposed - do not lean towards the exposed part and keep to the centre or to the upstream side of the roadway.

Sin dall’inizio di questa tappa si superano alcuni impegnativi saliscendi e ci si immerge immediatamente nella bellezza del paesaggio costiero fino a giungere alle falesie calcaree di Masua.

La brevità del percorso lascia il tempo per le visite alle straordinarie strutture di archeologia industriale come la laveria Lamarmora alla grande opera di ingegneria mineraria di Porto Flavia costruite sulla scogliera.

Qui, assieme al magnifico paesaggio costiero, si possono ammirare i colori e le strutture delle formazioni geologiche delle colline circostanti che raccontano l’evoluzione della crosta terrestre della terra più antica d’Italia.

Attenzione:  a Masua non ci sono negozi di generi alimentari, bar o ristoranti. Il proprietario dell’Ostello, unica struttura ricettiva, può farvi trovare tutto il necessario al vostro arrivo; si consiglia di chiedere informazioni al momento della prenotazione.

This is a fairly short stage that allows to dedicate the first few hours of the day to discover the traces of Buggerru's mining history.

Don't miss the monument dedicated to the miners who died in the massacre of 1904, the mining museum and the Henry gallery, the Grotta delle Lumache (Snail Cavern) and the Grotta S'Acqua Gelada (Cold Water Cave).

Otherwise, the stage is characterised by the beautiful coastal landscape until you reach the extraordinary dune complex of Portixeddu.

WARNING: there are no supermarkets or other services in Portixeddu; only in the summer, there are bars and restaurants.

Safety and useful tips

The stage starts inside the residential area of Buggerru and then follows the SP 83 road towards Portixeddu. This stretch presents the problem of vehicular traffic, so you must pay attention to cars and traffic in general.

Some passages, particularly those following the uphill of the mule track leading to the wooded area near Sa Marchesa, are exposed to falling from above - do not lean towards the exposed part and keep to the centre or to the upstream side of the roadway.

After leaving the area of Sa Marchesa, you have to follow the last hairpin turn of the uphill road above San Nicolò, so watch out for vehicles that might pass by.

Even at the end of the stage, in order to get to Portixeddu, you have to cross the provincial road out of the pine forest, therefore you have to pay attention when crossing.

SI tratta di una tappa abbastanza breve che consente di dedicare le prime ore della giornata alla visita delle testimonianze della storia mineraria di Buggerru.

Da non perdere, il monumento ai minatori caduti nell’eccidio del 1904, il Museo Minerario e la galleria Henry, la Grotta delle Lumache e la Grotta S’Acqua Gelada.

Per il resto la tappa è caratterizzata dal bellissimo paesaggio costiero fino all’arrivo nello straordinario sistema dunale di Portixeddu.

A fairly long stage that presents modest difficulties due to several uphill stretches and the last 5 km of sandy terrain.

You will observe the characteristic morphology of large boulders and tafoni that are typical of the granite rocks present in this area.

What strikes the most is the majesty of the Scivu-Piscinas dune complex, which suddenly appears after the pass with the lookout post of Capo Pecora.

It should be noted that a stretch of the Piscinas beach is used as a naturist beach.

Safety and useful tips

The stage does not present any particular difficulties, except for the last stretch along the coast from the Punta Acqua Durci Beach to Piscinas.

At present, since it is not yet possible to walk along the upper part of the cliff (which belongs to the Penal Colony of Is Arenas), this passage follows the shoreline. In the event of sea storms, strong undertow or particularly rough sea, it is advisable to take the alternative route that passes through Scivu and continues towards the Posada of Pitzinurri (in red).

Alternatively, you can stay overnight in Scivu (with prior reservation) and assess the weather conditions for the following day to complete the stage or continue to arrive in Pitzinurri.

Tappa di discreta lunghezza che presenta qualche modesta difficoltà per i diversi tratti in salita e per gli ultimi 5 km di fondo sabbioso.

Incontriamo la caratteristica morfologia a grossi massi e tafoni, tipici delle rocce granitiche di questa zona.

Ma colpisce soprattutto la maestosità del sistema dunale di Scivu-Piscinas, che appare improvvisamente dopo la sella della vedetta di Capo Pecora.

ATTENZIONE: segnaliamo che il primo tratto della spiaggia di Scivu è adibito a spiaggia naturista.

Una variante del percorso  prevede come arrivo della  tappa  il villaggio minerario di Pitzinurri  (e non la spiaggia di Piscinas) nei pressi di Ingurtosu; dal sentiero, che si snoda in quota sui monti che costeggiano il sistema dunale di Scivu-Piscinas, è possibile ammirare un bellissimo panorama su tutta la zona costiera. 

Through the ancient path of the miners, you will descend from the metalliferous hills of the Guspinese-Arburese area down to the Campidano plain, where you will see basalt flows deriving from Tertiary volcanism thanks to the spectacular geological site of the basalt columns, and then climb the hill by walking on granite rocks to reach the town of Arbus.

The typical landscape of agricultural and livestock activities. Then you enter the Linas mountain range with its large forests and rich variety of mineral deposits.

Safety and useful tips

The downhill from Montevecchio involves crossing the SP04 road from Montevecchio towards Guspini several times. Watch out for crossings of the asphalted road, which often occur near curves and hairpin turns.

Once in Guspini, you have to follow an urban route, therefore pay attention to the urban traffic.

You will finally arrive in Arbus and once again you have to follow an urban route, so watch out for vehicular traffic.

During the downhill from Montevecchio, and also in the small village itself, you will come across several disused buildings and mining structures in an obvious state of disrepair, with the exception of those for which a passageway or a specially guided tour has been created. Avoid crossing the fences and/or venturing inside them, but always admire them from a distance without leaving the Trail.

Attraverso l’antico sentiero dei minatori si scende dalle colline metallifere del Guspinese-Arburese verso la pianura del Campidano per poi risalire in collina camminando su rocce granitiche fino al centro abitato di Arbus. Il percorso offre la vista di colate basaltiche del vulcanismo terziario con lo spettacolare geo-sito dei basalti colonnari.

Il paesaggio che si incontra in questa tappa è quello tipico delle aree con un'alta concentrazione di attività agricole e zootecniche. Inoltre si entra nel complesso montuoso del Linas, con le sue grandi foreste e una ricca varietà di giacimenti minerari.

The first part of the stage reaches the Campidano plain, where you can see the typical landscape of agricultural and livestock activities characterised by olive groves, almond groves and vast expanses of pasture land. You then enter the Linas mountain range, with its large forests and rich variety of mineral deposits.

Safety and useful tips

The initial section runs along an urban route in Arbus, therefore watch out for vehicular traffic.

Immediately after the archaeological site of the Giants’ Grave of San Cosimo, the route proceeds to a ford on the Rio Terra Maistus. If weather conditions are bad and/or if the river course is in flood and fording is difficult, it is recommended to follow the alternative route (in red) that leads to the SP04 road.

The passage allows to bypass the ford and resume the route shortly afterwards. While crossing the SP04, make sure to pay attention to vehicular traffic.

Halfway along the route you have to pass through Gonnosfanadiga, where you also must pay attention to urban vehicular traffic.

WE RECOMMEND STAYING TO SLEEP IN GONNOSFANADIGA

This stage also includes a variation to the main route.