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

After crossing Sant’Antonio di Gallura, after a short stretch of tarmac road, the route turns left in a southerly direction towards the Tradimentu stazzo (farmhouse), along a dirt track. Then take a tarmac road in a south-westerly direction until you reach a roundabout. From there, continue, still in a south-westerly direction, along a small tarmac road until you cross a small bridge over a small stream. Right after the bridge turn left onto an old, little-used livestock trail that leads to an abandoned granite quarry. As the path is uphill, here you can enjoy beautiful views, surrounded by rocks shaped by nature. Continue crossing the land of the Giagucciu stazzo (farmhouse), dotted with beautiful olive trees. Continue, still on a dirt road (in poor conditions in some places), until you reach a short stretch of tarmac road in the direction of the small church of San Tommaso, which has a beautiful juniper wood altar. Here you can take a break at the nearby picnic area before starting the ascent towards Calangianus. Continue on a dirt road for about 7 km, still uphill, reaching above 700 m asl. A final stretch of blacktop road will take you to the village of Calangianus.

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.

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.

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

A lucky omen, as well as the starting point of this long walking adventure. The country sanctuary of Nostra Madonna del Buon Cammino (Our Lady of Travellers) is located 2 km from the outskirts of the town of Santa Teresa di Gallura: this is where the first stage of the route begins, leading from the coast into the first hills. 

After 9 km of blacktop and dirt roads and a short stretch of livestock trail, all through farmland, you will reach the Saltàra locality. Its name derives from Saltàro, a ruler (Giudice) of Gallura in the year 1110, whose mother Marcusa gave the name to one of the peaks of the Gennargentu massif. After passing by the tourist resort of Rena Majore, this leg of the trail ends near the Saltàra and Sardo Paolina agritourism farms.

As of this first stage, we are walking on the most ancient limestone-dolomite rocks in Italy, on big deposits of lead, zinc and silver that have been the subject of intense mining activity for centuries. Straight away we are immersed in the great cultural, environmental and religious heritage of Sardinia.

From the medieval city of Iglesias to the town of Nebida, we encounter chapels, churches and places of worship dedicated to the patron saint of miners.

The passage in the sanctuary of the Madonna del Buon Cammino gives this first day a particular spiritual meaning.

On the average this stage is demanding, not so much for the length, as for the two uphill stretches that must be climbed in the first part of the walk in order to reach the Buon Cammino hilltop (341 masl) and the excavations of Cungiaus (323 masl).

Safety and useful tips

To get to the Buon Cammino, you need to walk along urban streets in the historic centre of Iglesias, so pay attention to crossings.

After leaving the Monastero del Buon Cammino, you will follow a dirt road that heads north. This stretch of the route runs alongside fences that delimit and prevent the passage to certain caves/excavations - do not cross the fences and follow the route.

To get to Monte Agruxiau you have to cross the SP84 road as it bypasses Iglesias and then take the asphalted road to cross Monte Agruxiau - watch out for vehicular traffic. The same attention must be paid when arriving in Nebida, where you will cross the hamlet through an asphalted road.

Some passages, despite being on a wide and comfortable roadway, may be 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.

There are various old structures along the route; in most cases, they are fenced off, but in some cases, they may be open - do not venture inside them and always admire them from a distance.

A variant of the route allows you to reach the center of Monteponi using the city road network (Via Cattaneo/Vivaldi/Sassu).

ATTENTION

There is a detour due to work in progress on the path after the Monastero del Buon Cammino, temporary signs are already present on site.