Mountain Bike

As of this first stage, we are walking on the most ancient limestone-dolomite rocks in Italy, on big deposits of lead, zinc and silver that have been the subject of intense mining activity for centuries. Straight away we are immersed in the great cultural, environmental and religious heritage of Sardinia.

From the medieval city of Iglesias to the town of Nebida, we encounter chapels, churches and places of worship dedicated to the patron saint of miners.

The passage in the sanctuary of the Madonna del Buon Cammino gives this first day a particular spiritual meaning.

On the average this stage is demanding, not so much for the length, as for the two uphill stretches that must be climbed in the first part of the walk in order to reach the Buon Cammino hilltop (341 masl) and the excavations of Cungiaus (323 masl).

Safety and useful tips

To get to the Buon Cammino, you need to walk along urban streets in the historic centre of Iglesias, so pay attention to crossings.

After leaving the Monastero del Buon Cammino, you will follow a dirt road that heads north. This stretch of the route runs alongside fences that delimit and prevent the passage to certain caves/excavations - do not cross the fences and follow the route.

To get to Monte Agruxiau you have to cross the SP84 road as it bypasses Iglesias and then take the asphalted road to cross Monte Agruxiau - watch out for vehicular traffic. The same attention must be paid when arriving in Nebida, where you will cross the hamlet through an asphalted road.

Some passages, despite being on a wide and comfortable roadway, may be exposed to falling from above - do not lean towards the exposed part and, if necessary, keep to the centre or to the upstream side of the roadway.

There are various old structures along the route; in most cases, they are fenced off, but in some cases, they may be open - do not venture inside them and always admire them from a distance.

A variant of the route allows you to reach the center of Monteponi using the city road network (Via Cattaneo/Vivaldi/Sassu).

ATTENTION

There is a detour due to work in progress on the path after the Monastero del Buon Cammino, temporary signs are already present on site.

Dalla città medioevale di Iglesias fino al villaggio di Nebida, incontriamo cappelle, chiese e edifici di culto dedicati alla santa patrona dei minatori.

Il passaggio nel santuario della Madonna del Buon Cammino regala a questa prima giornata un particolare significato spirituale. Sin dalla prima tappa, camminiamo sulle rocce calcareo-dolomitiche più antiche d’Italia, sui grandi giacimenti di piombo, zinco e argento che per secoli sono stati oggetto di un’intensa attività estrattiva. Subito ci immergiamo nel grande patrimonio culturale, ambientale e religioso della Sardegna.

Una variante del percorso  permette di raggiungere  il centro di Monteponi utilizzando la rete viaria cittadina (Via Cattaneo/Vivaldi/Sassu).  

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.

The stage is mostly uphill with an initial climb to reach the village of Ingurtosu.

You will discover some amazing examples of industrial archaeology in the disused mines of Ingurtosu and Montevecchio.

From the dune complex of Piscinas, you move on to the holm oak woods and to the Mediterranean scrub, where it is common to observe the Sardinian deer that populates this area.

Safety and useful tips

The stage does not present any particular difficulties, even though the route follows the SP04, which is an accessible dirt road.

In the first section, you have to cross twice the Rio Irvi, which flows alongside the road. If this watercourse is in flood and fording is not easy, it is advisable to take the main road, which in any case proceeds in the same direction as the route.

It is only when you reach the Church of Santa Barbara of Ingurtosu that you can take the SP04.18, an asphalted road where, despite the presence of few vehicles, you must pay attention when passing through, especially because of the turns that you find along the way. You will then reach the Management building after which you proceed following the SP 66, which is again a dirt road.

All along the way, you will come across several buildings dating back to the old mining activity, many of which are closed and secured; some others are not, but they are all in a state of disrepair and precarious stability. In order to avoid any problems or accidents, do not cross the fences and/or venture inside the ruined buildings of the old mining plants, but always admire them from a distance without leaving the Trail.

La tappa si sviluppa in prevalenza in salita con uno strappo iniziale per raggiungere il villaggio di Ingurtosu.

Durante il percorso si passa dal sistema dunale di Piscinas ai boschi di leccio e alla macchia mediterranea  nei quali è frequente l’incontro con esemplari del cervo sardo, animale molto presente in questo territorio.

La tappa si articola all'interno dell'incredibile patrimonio rappresentato dai monumenti di archeologia industriale presenti nelle miniere dismesse di Ingurtosu e Montevecchio.

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.