Buggerru loop - Henry Tunnel - Cala Domestica (D-301)

You have reached the Pranu Sartu locality, site of one of the historical and most important mines in Buggerru. The evidence of the area’s mining history is clearly visible: open-pit mines, waste rock piles, the ruins of old mining buildings. A few steps through the sparse vegetation lead to the ruins of the village of Planu Sartu, located next to the huge open-pit mine, which today cannot be visited for safety reasons. At the peak of the mine’s activity, over 2000 people lived here and it was this mining community that staged the first miners’ strike, which was repressed violently by the army, known as the Buggerru Massacre. After visiting the village heading towards the sea, the trail turns back along a narrow dirt track among mastic trees and junipers.

After passing a fork, follow the dirt track in a southerly direction. Keep a sheepfold on the right, start walking along a trail through the sparse scrub sadly damaged by recent wildfires, keeping on a level course until a large stream channel bars the way. It is the gully of Cala Domestica, which you will descend rapidly in a wild environment, reaching the sea near the northern cove. Some ruins of mining buildings and military installations stand at the back of the beach. Instead, a spectacular tunnel will lead you to the larger of the two coves, famous for its scenic location and the surrounding high cliffs.

Go to the opposite side of the cove, overlooked by the coastal watchtower. Looking inland, you will be able to see the tracks of an old, now abandoned railway: this was the first electrified railway in Sardinia. Follow the track until it gets close to the State road, cross it and follow a dirt road into the Gutturu Cardaxius canyon.

Walk along a short stretch of the canyon, exiting to the left (true right) after a few dozen metres and keeping a sheepfold on your left. An old dirt mining track rises steeply. Follow it until you reach another dirt track on the left at a higher elevation. This is where you intersect the starting point of trail 302.

You take a good dirt road on the left, crossing the pass of Genna Arenas. A few tight hairpin bends take you down towards the village of Buggerru, intersecting the exit of path 306a on the descent.