Hiking

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.

Grazie alla straordinaria bellezza dei rilievi granitici di Piscina Irgas che sono stati modellati dai corsi d’acqua nel corso dei secoli, questa è, dal punto di vista naturalistico e paesaggistico,  sicuramente una delle tappe più suggestive del Cammino. 

Di grande fascino anche le foreste di lecci, la macchia mediterranea e i numerosi scavi minerari che si incontrano lungo il percorso.

Il percorso  è da considerarsi impegnativo non tanto per la lunghezza, quanto per i dislivelli che occorre superare.

An interesting and pleasant stage that links two important mining sites with a rich heritage of industrial and classical archaeology such as the Nuraghe Monte Scorra.

You will walk along comfortable dirt roads, mule tracks and paths, almost completely surrounded by forest and Mediterranean scrub.

Safety and useful tips

The route proceeds along comfortable and easy roads, characterised by a first section where it winds its way through a dense forest.

Once you get out of the forest, take the path that climbs up towards the Nuraghe Monte Scorra, from which it is possible to see the ruins of the protonuraghe from a short distance. Do not venture to visit the nuraghe due to both the difficulty of the route and the fact that the site is not undergoing any restoration or safety work, so there may be danger of collapse or damage to the structure.

The rest of the route, although long, does not present any major difficulties.

For those who wish to shorten the way, remember that immediately after Orbai it is possible to take the alternative route described in the previous stage and arrive directly in Rosas with a walk of less than 8 km.

There is also a variant hat reduces the length of the route by approximately 11 km.

Tappa interessante e gradevole che mette in collegamento due importanti siti minerari con un ricco patrimonio di archeologia industriale e storica come il nuraghe Monte Scorra.

Si cammina su comode strade sterrate, mulattiere e sentieri, quasi sempre immersi nel bosco e nella macchia mediterranea.

È prevista una variante che riduce la lunghezza del percorso di circa 11 km.

Another new stage that at the end of the day will take you back to the mother island after a leisurely walk around the island of San Pietro to discover its extraordinary historical and cultural heritage linked to the economy of the sea, particularly tuna fishing and the transport of minerals.

However, the real surprises of this small island, which was inhabited by Genoese people for almost 300 years, are its natural jewels and its ancient zero-kilometre gastronomic tradition based on products of the sea and the land.

Safety and useful tips

After passing through the town of Carloforte, where you should pay attention to urban traffic, proceed northwards by following the coast. The stretch from P.ta Du Din, the northern pier of the harbour, runs along the Canalfondo Beach, which has been eroded by sea storms. For this reason, if the sea is rough, it is advisable to pass inland along the asphalted road towards Tacca Rossa, in the direction of the Sea Museum formerly belonging to the Galanzieri family (closed).

As you go past the Tacca Rossa Beach, you have to walk along the coast on a very narrow passage. In the event of a sea storm, also in this case you must follow the internal roads in order to reach the Tonnara La Punta.

Afterwards, you will travel along internal roads to return to the urban centre of Carloforte, therefore make sure to pay attention to the presence of vehicular traffic.

Once you leave Carloforte to pass through the saltworks, you need to pay attention to the crossings along the route.

When embarking for Portovesme-Portoscuso, make sure to follow the ship's safety rules.