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

To reach the starting point, from the accommodation facility – the hotel restaurant Rifugio d’Ogliastra – return to the country church located 800 m away, at the end of the previous stage. 

The trail sets off slightly uphill in a south-westerly direction, on a wide, easy dirt track for about 2 km skirting the mountain on your right, then turns left onto an uphill path until it reaches and crosses road SP 23. 

Walk to the right of the road, following the CAI signs, paying attention to several intersections before reaching the car park of the wind farm. Here you can admire the artwork by local artist Maria Lai, ‘la cattura dell’ala del vento’, a tribute to the use of renewable energy sources. On the right, beyond a gate that is always open, the path continues among the wind turbines. After about 1.5 km, to your left you will see the summit of Monte Codi which has a military and civilian radar. Continue on a dirt track, used for turbine maintenance, for about 2 km. After passing two gates on your right, making a diversion of about 400 m, you will come to a small, dammed reservoir where you can cool off, especially in the hot Sardinian summer. 

Leaving the wind turbine area behind you, continue on for about 100 m alongside the provincial road, then return to the path that will take you down to the valley. The path continues steadily downhill. Shortly before reaching the valley floor, we recommend taking a diversion of about 300 m to the right, to the bank of the stream where stands an impressive thousand-year-old phillyrea tree, with a circumference of over 5 metres (in the Sardinian language, filueverru or arridellu) N39.71043° E9.45934° 

Back on the main trail, head downward until you cross a small stream. Here you will find a small gate in the pasture fence (remember to always close gates after passing through). Past the gate, continue on a narrow path with a steady uphill slope, made gentler by a few bends, walking for about 20 minutes. 

At the top of the path you will come to a clearing with an interesting archaeological site that is still being explored. Next to the site are three restored pinnetos (shepherds’ huts), which can also be used as camping spots, and several ancient livestock enclosures. From here you can admire the entire valley below, crossed by Rio su Ludu, a tributary of the Rio Flumineddu. 

Leaving this site, an uphill dirt track leads to the sheepfold of Costantino Carta, who is to be commended for having restored the old shepherds’ huts, the pinnetos. 

Continuing on after about 300 m, you will find another archaeological site with the ruins of several nuraghi, a beautiful sacred well and several circular bases, mostly covered with earth. The trail continues on a dirt road, which in about 2 km arrives in the vicinity near of the sports field (where there is a water fountain), signalling that you are near the end of the stage. 

The stage ends 800 m further on in the northern outskirts of the village, at the crossroads leading to the Santa Barbara forest. It is about 800 m from the end of the stage to the village centre. 

In Perdasdefogu there are several B&Bs and also a small hotel, grocery shops, etc. Bear in mind that the bars close in the afternoon. The village is small and has a nearby military base. 

Notes

There are no drinking water sources along the route of the stage. There are only two water fountains: one at the stage starting point near the small church of San Antonio and the other after the sports field of Perdasdefogu.

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

The original stage was quite long, more than 28 km, so it has been split into two parts. 

Route 21B is the shortest section, about 10 km, ending in the small town of Ulassai, home to artist Maria Lai and a rock climbing mecca with many bolted routes of varying levels of difficulty. 

Leaving the town of Ulassai, follow a short stretch of via S’Arenargiu, where a weaving workshop is located, and a little further on, the fork for Monte Matzeu, which you should leave to your right to continue on a dirt track in a southerly direction. You will then take a path, still heading south, through a beautiful forest with the route sufficiently marked with stone cairns and, passing alongside Monte Tisiddu, you will come to a dirt track that leads, after passing several forks, to an easy path heading south-east. In this section you will find two springs, the first near a hut and the second near a small wooden cabin that can be used as a camping point if necessary. 

After passing alongside road SP 13, cross it to continue uphill on a stretch of paved road. At a crossroads, turn right in a westerly direction. Once you have passed a gate with a side passage and the fork leading to the fire lookout, you will find a fork with a scenic spot on the right. 

Back to the fork, continue in a westerly direction and then in a south-westerly direction towards the hotel-restaurant Rifugio d’Ogliastra (open all year round). You will then arrive at the stop point in the square of the country church of Sant’Antonio of Jerzu where there is a drinking fountain.

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

The original stage was quite long, around 28 km, so it has been split into two parts. 

Route 21A is the longest section, about 17 km, ending in the small town of Ulassai, home to artist Maria Lai and a climbing mecca with many bolted routes of varying levels of difficulty. 

The start point is close to the town park, where there is also a fountain. The route starts uphill, along a clearly marked path. The first destination is nuraghe Serbissi, at an elevation of 947 m asl. Having left the nuraghe, which is managed by a local cooperative, the path turns downhill and then after a series of easy ascents and descents, reaches the Urceni nuraghe (934 m asl). Here you will find a fork; take the southern path and after a brief stop at the Urceni fountain, continue in the direction of the San Giorgio hotel (only open in summer). After a few hundred metres, you can stop for a picnic at the abundant Sa Brecca spring. 

On the way to the car park of the Cave of Su Marmuri, you will encounter the Sanu nuraghe, which does not offer much opportunity at the moment for viewing or exploration because it has not yet undergone archaeological excavations. From the cave’s car park, walk along a short stretch of blacktop road, which you will then leave to take the path that, running alongside the sports field, offers beautiful views of the town. This final section is known as the Maria Lai trail. 

This is a very scenic stage suitable for fairly fit hikers. The final section, from the sports field onwards, is recommended for experienced hikers as there are two exposed stretches, albeit equipped with a steel cable.

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

This stage starts at the Montarbu forest ranger station, a beautiful facility that the Forestas Agency makes available for overnight stays, booking a few days in advance with the relevant offices in Lanusei. The site is well equipped and here you can refill your water supply. 

Walking along a dirt track, after about 800 m you will go through a gate and continue along a well-marked path until you have the railway on your right. Currently, the trenino verde (‘little green train’) that runs on that route is not operating due to maintenance work on the ‘su irtzioni’ bridge 800 m further ahead. 

The path continues on a dirt track parallel to the railway, through the forest and after about 2 km, it emerges onto a large clearing with a picnic area and a pinnetto (traditional shepherd’s hut) in need of restoration. Further on, turning left for about 300 m, is the beautiful ‘funtana de sa berda’ spring. The path continues downhill, and with a couple of bends you will reach the 'Riu sa taula’ river. You can cross the river near a beautiful natural pool with a small waterfall. Continue uphill following the course of the river, which is full of interesting sights, including a large limestone formation in the shape of a tortoise. After about 1 km, you will arrive at another picnic area, in the ‘Tuvu Nieddu’ locality where there is an abundant spring. Cross the river and continue on a dirt track to the bar-restaurant where there is a beautiful picnic area (not open all year round) near which there is also a stop of the trenino verde (‘little green train’), called ‘Stazione di Niala’.

The Sentiero Italia continues to the left on a steep upward path with some paved sections. On the right, halfway up the slope, deviating from the trail, you will find a sculpture by famous artist Pinuccio Sciola depicting 6 limestone balls with a diameter of 80 cm. Here too you will find drinking water and a picnic area. 

Returning to the route, still through the forest, you will come to a plateau where a dirt track leads, after about 5 km, to a fascinating archaeological site, ‘is Tostoinus’. Here you can admire a nuraghe (prehistoric stone fortress) and a tomb of the giants (megalithic communal tomb). 

Further on, crossing a stream with a picturesque wooden bridge, you will reach a picnic area with drinking water and a very well maintained pinnetto (shepherd’s hut) that might be used as a camping facility in the future. 

Leaving this area, which is very well maintained by Forestas, the ascent to the ridge begins. Here, the craggy and arid terrain makes the route particularly challenging during the summer. After about 4 km, the descent towards the end of the stage begins along a well-cleared and very scenic path that runs along the entire valley. Once in Gairo Taquisara, a picturesque small village with 300 inhabitants huddled at the bottom of a valley clothed in holm oaks and fir trees, you can stay overnight at a hotel or B&B or stop for refreshments at the bar. 

A very beautiful, not very long, stage through the woods of ‘Tonneri di Ussasai-Seui’, a shaded area with several freshwater springs.

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

This is a medium-length stage that initially retraces a short section of stage Z18 and then continues in a southerly direction on a dirt track that leads to Cuile Gidinis and, from there, in a south-easterly direction until it arrives at the road and the bridge that crosses the Rio Pirincanes stream. Travel along this road for a short distance before turning, after a couple of bends, in an easterly direction, then south, towards Perda Liana, which you will reach on the path that begins at the car park, after crossing road SS 389. 

Follow the clearly visible path, keeping to the right at the next fork (the path to the left rejoins with this one after a much longer loop). The Perda Liana rock tower, a natural monument and symbol of the Ogliastra area, is visible from all sides as it stands on top of a hill. According to local legend, it once marked the entrance to the underworld. 

Leaving Perda Liana behind you, continue in a southerly direction. After a bend to the north, the trail then heads south-west passing by Su Stampu, an impressive sinkhole about 50 m deep (N39.89595° E9.39277°). 

Continue, still at high elevation, along the valley of the Flumendosa river to reach the summit of Pizzu Margiani Pubusa (1325 m asl) where there is a fire lookout. 

From this summit, the descent towards the Montarbu stop point (874 m asl) begins, on a beautiful path through the forest in a southerly direction (at this fork N39.88223° E9.38695° turn right) with several springs along the path, running alongside a stream which in Spring has several small waterfalls.

This is a very scenic stage, particularly after passing Perda Liana, but it is fairly challenging.

Notes

At the Montarbu stop point there is a Fo.Re.S.T.A.S. station, where it is currently possible to stay overnight pitching a tent.