From Vallicciola to Punta Bandera (F-402)

Validation level Percorribile

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Trail summary

Path lenght 4.600 m

Time lenght 1 hour 45 minutes

Difficulty level More infos sui gradi di difficoltà Intermediate-high difficulty (E-level)

Activities and warnings

Pathways Activities

The pathway

The trail is part of the Limbara massif, in the territory of the municipalities of Tempio Pausania, Calangianus and Berchidda. To plan your excursion, it is best to divide this mountain area into North Limbara (Tempio Pausania and Calangianus) and South Limbara (Berchidda). Specifically, trail 402 falls on the North Limbara side and starts from the Vallicciola locality (famous for its giant sequoias). The trail starts at an elevation of 1050 m asl, in the granite-paved area, which also offers ample space to park your car. In this area you will also find a bar, a hotel and a fountain.

This trail was previously known as the “North Limbara route B” due to an old trail designation that has now been replaced and updated, with the installation of the new signpost as per national standards, by the numbering “F-402”.

NATURAL MONUMENT

Punta Sa Berritta (also known as Rocca Manna Supràppare on the Berchidda side) and the nearby monumental stone arch, also made of granite (approximately 14 m long, 6 m high and 3.5 m thick) are the two parts of the natural monument in the regional registry: granite formations with similar dimensions are extremely rare, if not unique, in Sardinia.

GETTING THERE

To reach the start of the trail, if coming from Tempio Pausania, take road SS 392 towards Oschiri, and after crossing the Tempio-Palau section of the railway line and leaving the road junction for the industrial area on the left, continue along SS 392 until you come to a junction, on the left, for the Limbara peak.

Follow a winding road to the well-recognisable paved area at Vallicciola, the starting point of the trail.

Useful informations

In 2022, the Forestas Agency, in cooperation with the Sassari CAI, carried out checks and maintenance activities on the entire trail, including signposts and markers.

WARNING: The signs are being replaced.

WARNING: ROUTE IS PENDING REGISTRATION. The trail will be officially registered in the Sardinia Trail Network (RES) registry after the replacement of the existing trail signs has been completed.

Tips and recommendations for enjoying the trail

Hiking time and the elevation profile change in the two directions of travel: ascending to Punta Bandera the absolute elevation gain is 293 m, with a total ascent of 400 m.

On the other hand, the way back from Punta Bandera is uphill only at the beginning, for a short stretch; once close to Punta Sa Berritta (1362 m asl), the route is entirely downhill.

Consequently, hiking time is also shorter (the way back takes about 15 minutes less).

Some parts of the route are not covered by cell service; so it is best not to venture out alone and to be accompanied by experienced people. In addition, thick fog is common at the top. Moreover, in severe weather, in light of the area’s terrain these trails can be exposed to significant hydrogeological hazards. Rockrose and vegetation regrowth might obscure the path in some places: it is best to have detailed maps and/or a carefully calculated GPS route before setting off on your hike.

Roadbook

After parking your car in the carpark and crossing the road leading to Punta Balistreri (1,359 m asl), after a few metres you will find, to the right of the access road to the hotel and in the middle of the pine forest, a number of posts with red and white markings indicating trail 402 (formerly “route B”).