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 begins by retracing your steps on the paved path, whence you came from Orosei, to the start point of the Iscala Omines, which you will leave on our left to continue towards the old tunnel built in 1863 to connect the town to the sea where the small town of Cala Gonone has since developed. 

After walking through the tunnel, you will reach the ridge of the mountain above state road SS 125. Follow a very scenic path in a south-southwesterly direction to the Suttaterra area, passing near a fascinating natural arch. 

A steep downhill stretch then leads to road SS 125 (Orientale Sarda) below, which you need to follow for about 550 m. Leaving the road, near the entrance to the ‘Sa Pruna’ Forest, continue downhill, first on a dirt road and then on a well-maintained path, to reach and ford the Rio Flumineddu stream near the path leading to the Gorroppu gorge.

Continuing in a northerly direction and passing the turnoff for the S’Abba Arva bridge you will easily reach the stop point of Surtana. You will find water in the Forest, at a spring along the route. Please note there are no permanent reception facilities at the Surtana stop point. We suggest booking logistical support with Mr Salvatore Fancello, aka Baddore, at 3470086640, owner of an accommodation facility about 800 m from Surtana. We also recommend the utmost caution when walking on the short stretch of the SS 125 road, which is a favourite road of motorcyclists, especially in spring and summer.

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 first part of this stage links the town of Orosei to its beach (‘marina’), along the recently restored right bank of the Cedrino river. The second stretch on flat ground heads south between the beach and the wetland, reaching the small beach of Osala, which marks the boundary of the territory of Orosei. Next, you will reach Cartoe beach by circling the headland of Punta Nera, following the rocky coast, in some places quite close to the sea which may present some difficulties. An alternative is to climb over the headland on an easily visible path, but which is mostly on private land. 

The south end of Cartoe beach marks the start of the third section of this stage, the more challenging one, which requires climbing the two peaks marked on the maps as Monte Irveri, 616 m asl, and Monte Bardia, 880 m asl, divided by a pass crossed by a paved road leading to the village of Cala Gonone. From Monte Bardia, which overlooks the town of Dorgali, you can descend quickly, along the ridge line, to the Buca Entu col. From here, a picturesque old mule track (Scala Omines) leads to a paved path that reaches the town of Dorgali. 

While this stage has no water sources, it offers wonderful panoramic views of the Gulf of Orosei as well as some recently restored old sheepfolds

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 but fairly challenging stage that connects the two towns on the plains by crossing Monte Tuttavista, which, after an initially gentle climb, reaches a height of 764 m near the Bronze Cross with stunning views over the plains below.

After about two km on an easy dirt road, you will arrive at the fire lookout, another impressive viewpoint over the coastline of Orosei. Next, head down towards Orosei, first along a relatively easy gully through the woods and then a rocky section known as Sa Fraicata with a steep slope. 

Finally, you will reach the bottom of the valley on an easy dirt road that, passing by some disused lime kilns, will lead you to the bypass leading to Orosei and the Rimedio sanctuary at the entrance to the town. 

Please note there are no water sources along the route.

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 is significantly less demanding than the previous Z 10A stage. It starts with a short stretch going back from Norghio to Janna (approx. 2.7 km). From this fork, a dirt road leads to the Abba Vritta ridge (754 m asl). The trail continues on the ridge to the col that separates it from Punta Su Grabbellu. When you reach point N40.46928° E9.61228°, leave the dirt road to your right (in a south-west direction) and, following the contour line towards the south-east, over rocks and through bushy vegetation, cross an area without a clear path (but easy to guess and very scenic) to reach the Tanarghè area N40.46456° E9.61046° where you will find a water fountain. Alternatively, you could stay on the dirt road to the Tanarghè area but with the landscape is not as beautiful. 

From here, the route crosses the ancient settlement of Pontesu. Next, after passing a fence with a ladder and down a steep livestock trail, at about 740 m asl, you will join a forest track that links the southern and northern slopes of the mountain. Follow the entire forest track (about 6.2 km) going east to the bottom of the valley, which is crossed by a blacktop local road that leads to the town of Irgoli. 

After passing through the village and before the bridge over provincial road SP 25, which crosses a tributary of the Cedrino river, follow the right bank to where it flows into the main river and then walk upstream along the true left bank to the bridge at the entrance of Galtellì. 

An easy stage with limited elevation gain and gentle (apart from a short stretch) downhill stretches, mainly on dirt tracks and blacktop roads due to the proximity to small towns.

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 long and very varied section, which involves crossing the Montalbo ridge, walking for a good stretch on the ridge in typically karst environments with sweeping 360° views, and crossing the entire southern slope, densely wooded, down to the bottom of the valley, which is crossed by provincial road SP 45 and state road SS 131 DCN, near Monte Pizzinnu. 

After passing these main roads, and still in a densely wooded environment, the route climbs up the northern slope of the Remulis Mountains to an elevation of 500 m asl, then continues north to the Janna pass, from where a stretch of blacktop road leads to the Norghio stop point. 

This stage alternates paths, livestock trails, forest tracks and stretches of blacktop road, making it very varied but, given the differences in elevation, also quite challenging. Given its length, you may choose to split the stage into two or more days, with wild camping overnight at suitable points in the Altudè (N 40.48638° E 9.56507°) and Talachè localities (N 40.48356° E 9.62311°) or booking accommodation with Tonino Taras (mobile: 3496351871) at the Ammentos inn (N 40.54168° E 9.60236°), former Cantoniera Guzzurra on SP 3, which can be reached via a short detour on CAI numbered paths; please note that the inn is closed in winter.

We recommend extreme caution in the event of fog, which is frequent on high ground. Please also be mindful that there are very few water fountains along the route.