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.

In this area, mining activity has left important traces that are immersed in a beautiful nature.

This stage takes you almost 800 m underground, crossing from north to south the second largest karstic cave in Europe, which used to be crossed by lorries and today can only be accessed on foot, horseback or by bicycle.

The nuragic site of Sa Domu 'e S'Orku is also remarkable. The route is relatively easy, however the steep downhill along the hairpin turns of the mule tracks during the first part of the stage requires special attention.

Safety and useful tips

As you approach the downhill towards the Grotta di San Giovanni, you walk through an evocative stretch along an old railway track, Sa Strade de su Vagoni. This stretch is comfortable but exposed to falling, therefore do not lean towards the exposed part and keep to the centre or to the upstream side of the roadway.

Once you arrive in Domusnovas, you will pass through an urban stretch to reach the Church of Santa Barbara and then exit towards Musei, so you must pay attention to vehicular traffic.

Also in the vicinity of Musei and in the residential area it is necessary to pay attention to vehicular traffic and follow the signed zebra crossings.

WARNING: To pass through the Grotta di San Giovanni, you need to present yourself at the northern entrance, ring the bell and identify yourself as a CMSB pilgrim, then an operator will come and open the door. The cave is open from 9 am to 6 pm, otherwise there is a variant that allows you to pass from outside the cave.

Questa tappa attraversa un'area in cui le attività minerarie del passato hanno lasciato,  immerse in una natura bellissima, importanti testimonianze architettoniche.

Una parte del percorso, quasi 800 m,  si sviluppa sottoterra in quanto attraversa, da nord a sud, la grotta di San Giovanni  la seconda cavità carsica europea un tempo transitabile dalle auto e dai camion ed oggi percorribile solo a piedi, a cavallo e in bicicletta.

Notevole anche il sito nuragico di Sa Domu ‘e S’Orku a Domusnovas.

Il percorso è relativamente facile, tuttavia le ripide discese lungo i tornanti delle mulattiere nella prima parte della tappa richiedono una particolare attenzione.

ATTENZIONE: Per attraversare la Grotta di San Giovanni è necessario presentarsi all'ingresso nord, suonare il campanello e qualificarsi come pellegrini del CMSB, un operatore arriverà ad aprire. La grotta è aperta dalle 9:00 alle 18:00, altrimenti è presente una variante  che consente di passare dall'esterno della grotta.