Horse

Overview of the itinerary

Sentiero Italia runs the length of the island’s eastern side, covering its most important mountains, in 28 stages.  Starting from the north: it flanks the Monte Limbara massif, crosses the limestones of Mont’Albo and Tuttavista, skirting the Gulf of Orosei, it crosses the Supramonte, Gennargentu and the Tacchi of Ogliastra and reaches Perdasdefogu.  Further south, it passes through Armungia and the Gerrei sub-region. Lastly, it touches on the villages of Burcei and San Gregorio, continuing on the Sette Fratelli massif to the old prisons of Castiadas.

General information on Sentiero Italia (Grand Italian Trail)

Sentiero Italia, or Grand Italian Trail, as also explained on the official website, is a walking route that crosses the whole of Italy, using mainly but not exclusively “registered trails”.   
In particular, in Sardinia, not all the stages of the Sentiero Italia of CAI (Italian Alpine Club) are made of trails already included in the registry of the Sardinia Trail Network (RES), either because they have not yet been tested and approved or simply because they cannot be registered as they do not meet the requirements.  However, as a whole, the Sentiero Italia is the single longest walking route currently crossing Sardinia from the north (S. Teresa Gallura, stage Z 1) to the south (Castiadas, end of stage Z 28), touching on the most fascinating mountain areas in central-eastern Sardinia: the plateau of Buddusò, Tepilora, the Cedrino river valley, the ancient forests of Montes, Perda Liana and the regional forest of Montarbu, Monte Genis, and lastly the regional forest of Settefratelli (among the many crossed by the various stages of this long hiking itinerary).

Information on this stage of the trail

Leaving the small town of Luogosanto, the route follows a local blacktop road in the direction of the Fonte La Filetta Park. At a fork in the road, it leaves the road leading to La Filetta Park and follows the road to the right in a south-westerly direction until it reaches the stile at the entrance to the stazzo (farmhouse) of Sesara. The route continues on a dirt track through private land, crossing gates that can be opened and then must be closed again. The route continues through the beautiful landscapes characteristic of Gallura, with granite rock outcrops, holm oaks and wild olive trees, until it reaches the small country church of San Biagio.
In Gallura there are many country churches around which, on feast days, lunches are organised for hundreds or even thousands of people.

Leaving the church of San Biagio, the route heads in the direction of the ford across the Liscia river. 

PLEASE NOTE: this section of the trail is not marked as the landowner has not authorised the installation of signs. Once past the river, the route climbs up a path flanking a cliff and through a young forest of predominantly holm oaks and strawberry trees. At one time, this forest consisted of primary trees that were cut down for charcoal in the 19th century. Short sections of the path built at that time have been restored. 

After leaving the trail, the route continues along a local road that runs alongside the Liscia lake. It continues on a livestock trail, on private property. On this stretch, you can admire an over 2000-year-old wild olive tree and the viaduct of a railway line now only used in the summer months as a tourist line. The trail arrives in Sant'Antonio di Gallura after following a stretch of blacktop road and, if you wish, after a detour to the railway station near Lake Liscia. Sant’Antonio is ‘heir’ to an ancient medieval village, Villa de Castro, built at the foot of the Lu Naracu nuraghe (prehistoric stone fortress) a few hundred metres from the ancient church of S. Andrea and from the current square in the centre of the village. The church of Sant’Andrea, which was built no later than the 1700s, belonged to the noble Pes family of Tempio Pausania.

Approximately 5 km from Sant’Antonio di Gallura, deviating on a farm road, is the farmhouse of Ms Santoli, who has preserved the original furnishings and collected photographs and interesting pieces of rural art over the years. In the immediate vicinity of the village are thousand-year-old wild olive trees. The area is also rich in archaeological heritage, including the Sarra di l'Aglientu megalithic wall near the Liscia lake. The countryside of Gallura is dotted with small country churches that, on feast days, celebrate their saints (each being named after its own saint) with festivals and feasts that have a strong social value. Lunch or dinner is always offered at these festivals. Some notable celebrations are the feast of S. Santino on 1 May; S. Giacomo on the first Sunday in May, on 25 July and the second Sunday in September; S. Giuseppe on the second Sunday in June; Nostra Signora della Crucitta on the second Sunday in May; S. Francesco on 4 October; S. Leonardo on the first Sunday in June.

Notes

The ford across the Liscia river can be challenging (it may be impassable in the winter months). 

Trail signage to be completed for a short section.

In sintesi

Il Sentiero Italia attraversa in lunghezza il settore orientale dell’isola toccandone i sistemi montuosi più rilevanti, in 28 tappe.  Partendo da nord: tocca il massiccio del Monte Limbara, attraversa i calcari del Mont'Albo e del Tuttavista sfiorando il Golfo di Orosei,  attraversa il Supramonte, il Gennargentu, i Tacchi dell’Ogliastra e giunge a Perdasdefogu.  Più a sud, transita da Armungia e dalla subregione del Gerrei. Infine tocca l’abitato di Burcei e San Gregorio, per continuare nel massiccio dei Sette Fratelli fino alle vecchie carceri di Castiadas.

Informazioni generali sull'itinerario sentiero Italia

Il Sentiero Italia, come spiegato anche nel sito ufficiale, è un itinerario (o Cammino) lungo tutta l'Italia, che utilizza prevalentemente ma non esclusivamente "sentieri accatastati".   
In particolare, in Sardegna, non tutte le tappe del Sentiero Italia del CAI coincidono con sentieri già inseriti nel catasto della Rete Escursionistica della Sardegna (RES), perché non hanno ancora superato le verifiche di percorribilità oppure semplicemente perché non possono essere accatastati non avendone i requisiti.  Tuttavia, nel suo insieme, il Sentiero Italia rappresenta l'unica, la più grande dorsale escursionistica che attraversa attualmente la nostra Isola da nord (S. Teresa Gallura, tappa Z 1) a sud (Castiadas, fine tappa Z 28) toccando le aree montane della Sardegna centro-Orientale più affascinanti: l'altopiano di Buddusò, Tepilora, la valle del Cedrino, i boschi vetusti di Montes, Perda Liana e la foresta demaniale di Montarbu, il Monte Genis, e infine la foresta demaniale di Settefratelli (tra le tante attraversate dal lungo itinerario escursionistico a tappe).

Info sul percorso di questa tappa

Dal posto tappa Saltàra si prosegue, per circa 2 km, sulla strada vicinale bitumata. Al termine di questa è presente un cancello che generalmente è aperto e comunque si può aprire e/o scavalcare e si prosegue su tratturo attraversando proprietà private e superando due cancelli. 

Il percorso prosegue alternando tratti di sterrate, tratturi, brevi tratti di sentiero su roccia fino ad arrivare al parco di palazzo Baldu e della chiesa di Santo Stefano. Da qua in poi il percorso si sviluppa su strada locale bitumata e, per la parte terminale, in prossimità del centro abitato di Luogosanto su strada pubblica (SP 14).   

Da non perdere il Palazzo Baldu (rovine), la chiesetta di Santo Stefano e l'Eremo di San Trano (suggestivo e panoramico).  

Il centro storico di Luogosanto è molto caratteristico, in particolare la chiesa con la porta santa ed il suo attiguo convento.

Note

Nota del 25/08/2021. È possibile che lungo il tracciato si possano incontrare dei cancelli chiusi. Là dove indicato dalla segnaletica, è possibile scavalcarli grazie all’apposita scaletta. Si consiglia comunque attenzione e prudenza.

CONSULTA LA SCHEDA della tappa Z-02 AGGIORNATA SUL SITO CAI

This is one of the most challenging stages of the Trail, especially because of the elevation gains.

The effort is compensated for by the extraordinary beauty of the coastal landscape and by the richness of the geological heritage:

In the area of Canal Grande, you can observe the fossil remains of the first life forms that appeared on the planet.

Also of interest are the examples of industrial archaeology: from the old railway, to the loading plant in Cala Domestica, up to the large excavation of Planu Sartu.

In Cala Domestica, you can stop at the Oasi Beach kiosk; the services offered are: catering, transfer service by jeep or dinghy, and guided tours. It is open daily until November 3rd, afterwards only on weekends.

For those wishing to undertake a less challenging route, an alternative route is available which excludes the stretch overlooking the cliffs between Porto Flavia and Cala Domestica.

Safety and useful tips

Some passages, particularly along the panoramic route after passing the Cantina Belvedere, are 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.

While walking this panoramic route, both along the climb towards Monte Nai and in the area of the ruins of the Cantina Belvedere, you will see open excavations of old mineral deposits - do not leave the route to visit such areas, always remain on the path.

The stage is challenging in terms of both length and elevation gains, therefore it is advisable to prepare adequately.

At the end of the stage, you will pass through the asphalted roads of the village of Buggerru, make sure to pay attention to vehicular traffic.

L'itinerario

Da Masua si raggiunge la località Canal Grande dove è possibile osservare alcuni reperti fossili che rappresentano alcune  tra le prime forme di vita apparse sul pianeta.

Di notevole interesse anche l’archeologia industriale, dalla vecchia ferrovia che giunge all’impianto di caricamento di Cala Domestica, al grande scavo di Planu Sartu.

A Cala Domestica segnaliamo la presenza del chiosco Oasi Beach che offre i servizi di  ristorazione, servizio transfer con jeep o gommone e tour guidati. Il chiosco è aperto tutti i giorni fino al 3 novembre e in seguito solo nei i weekend.

Per chi volesse intraprendere un percorso meno impegnativo, è disponibile un percorso alternativo che esclude il tratto  a picco sulle falesie tra Porto Flavia e Cala Domestica

This stage is not too long, but quite challenging.

You will pass through majestic holm oak woods while walking on granite rocks and crossing several streams, until you reach the lush citrus and cherry tree gardens of Villa Scema.

From the mine chapel of Perd'e Pibera, to the ancient church of Villacidro, which is dedicated to Santa Barbara, the cult of the patron saint of miners is strongly present.

A variant of the stage involves the route passing through the Villascema Park and for a stretch running along the shores of Lake Leni.

Safety and useful tips

The route proceeds uphill from Perd'e Pibera to Sella di Genna Farraceus, then the path continues downhill to the park of Villa Scema, where you have to ford the Rio Derettu. Should this watercourse be in flood and the ford impassable, it is recommended to proceed through the alternative route that runs directly on the asphalted road. If you take such a route, pay attention to vehicular traffic.

In the vicinity of Villacidro, the route winds through the residential area, therefore you must pay attention to urban traffic.

The stage is challenging due to its length and elevation gains, so you should adequately prepare for it.

Si tratta di una tappa non troppo lunga ma abbastanza impegnativa.

Il percorso, che attraversa maestosi boschi di leccio e vede il guado di numerosi ruscelli, giunge fino ai rigogliosi giardini di agrumi e ciliegi di Villa Scema e poi da qui raggiunge il centro abitato di Villacidro.

In tutta l'area è forte il culto per la patrona dei minatori Santa Barbara,  come lo testimoniano gli innumerevoli luoghi di culto a lei dedicati: dalla cappella della miniera di Perd’e Pibera all’antica chiesa di Villacidro.

Una variante della tappa prevede che il percorso passi per il Parco di Villascema e che per un tratto costeggi le sponde del lago di Leni.

From a naturalistic and landscape point of view, this is one of the most striking stages of the Trail, thanks to the extraordinary beauty of the granite reliefs of Piscina Irgas that were modelled by watercourses.

The holm oak woods, the Mediterranean scrub and the various mining excavations along the way are also fascinating.

This route is not very challenging because of the length, but because of the elevation gains that you need to overcome.

Safety and useful tips

Along the way, you will find a series of fords: the first is on the Rio Cannisoni before the steep climb along the path leading to the waterfalls of Piscinas Irgas; after the downhill from the waterfall viewpoint, you have to cross the Rio Oriddano less than three times; finally, you have to ford the Canal of Perdu Marras.

When you reach the viewpoint on the waterfalls of Piscinas Irgas, it is advisable to stay on the path without venturing into the gorge that houses the basin into which the waterfalls pour. As a matter of fact, this deviation is very challenging, because it proceeds along a poorly defined and very steep path which, if taken, must be tackled both downhill to reach the reservoir and uphill to resume the route.

In Arenas, you will see some ruined mining buildings; avoid crossing any fences and/or venturing inside them, but always admire them from a distance without leaving the Trail.

The stage runs through an isolated territory, therefore it is good practice to communicate the departure from Monti Mannu and the arrival in Arenas (in Arenas the phone connection will work in elevated areas and in particular near the buildings of the old Genne Carru Mine, which you will encounter at the beginning of the next stage). It is therefore advisable to download the offline version of the stage track.