This stage introduces an extraordinary new route that enriches your journey from a natural-environmental and cultural-historical point of view.

Holm oak woods on the limestone mountains, the great perennial spring of Pubusinu and the caves of Su Mannau are the natural jewels that form the backdrop of the mining heritage characterized by the mine of Gutturu Pala, together with the house of Karl Marx who discovered it, and the mine-museum of Su Zurfuru.

You’ll have the chance to devote time to visiting such a heritage thanks to this easy and mostly downhill stage.

Safety and useful tips

The route is easy to follow and runs along an accessible comfortable dirt road.

At the start of the stage, you will come across the ruins of old mining activities and, a little further on, the buildings of the old Genne Carru Mine; avoid crossing any fences and/or venturing inside but always admire them from a distance without leaving the Trail.

In this stage, you still walk through holm oak woods until you come across the Punic-Roman temple of Antas dedicated to the Sardus Pater.

Then you proceed to the large excavations and many valuable mining structures of the Baueddu, Malacalzetta and San Benedetto mines, thanks to which this stage is one of the most interesting ones in terms of industrial archaeology.

Safety and useful tips

The route is challenging right from the start with a long climb into the forest and then a gradual descent towards the area of the Temple of Antas. However, it does not present any particular difficulties.

After leaving the site of Antas, you have to walk uphill along the municipal dirt road of Antas to reach the area of Baueddu. From here, you descend towards Malacalzetta, where you can observe several ruins of the old mining activity and the village connected to it. Avoid crossing any fences and/or venturing inside, but always admire them from a distance without leaving the Trail.

In San Benedetto, it is possible to experience some connection issues, as not all phone operators will get a signal.

For more than half of the stage you will walk along the old railway track, which was built on the slopes of these limestone-dolomite mountains to transport minerals.

The final section of the path will lead to Case Marganai and runs along a comfortable dirt road entirely immersed in dense holm oak woods.

This is a very short and easy stage that is recommended if you want to spend a light day in a beautiful mountain environment, also with the chance to visit the Linasia Garden and comfortably reach the summit of Punta San Michele (906 m).

Safety and useful tips

The first part of the route follows the path of the old mining railway that served the San Benedetto Mine. This stretch is exposed to falling from above, therefore do not lean towards the exposed part and keep to the centre or to the upstream side of the roadway.

The rest of the route continues slightly uphill, but it is easy and smooth

In this area, mining activity has left important traces that are immersed in a beautiful nature.

This stage takes you almost 800 m underground, crossing from north to south the second largest karstic cave in Europe, which used to be crossed by lorries and today can only be accessed on foot, horseback or by bicycle.

The nuragic site of Sa Domu 'e S'Orku is also remarkable. The route is relatively easy, however the steep downhill along the hairpin turns of the mule tracks during the first part of the stage requires special attention.

Safety and useful tips

As you approach the downhill towards the Grotta di San Giovanni, you walk through an evocative stretch along an old railway track, Sa Strade de su Vagoni. This stretch is comfortable but exposed to falling, therefore do not lean towards the exposed part and keep to the centre or to the upstream side of the roadway.

Once you arrive in Domusnovas, you will pass through an urban stretch to reach the Church of Santa Barbara and then exit towards Musei, so you must pay attention to vehicular traffic.

Also in the vicinity of Musei and in the residential area it is necessary to pay attention to vehicular traffic and follow the signed zebra crossings.

WARNING: To pass through the Grotta di San Giovanni, you need to present yourself at the northern entrance, ring the bell and identify yourself as a CMSB pilgrim, then an operator will come and open the door. The cave is open from 9 am to 6 pm, otherwise there is a variant that allows you to pass from outside the cave.

While crossing the Cixerri valley, you walk through the agro-pastoral farms of this fertile plain to reach the S'Ortu Mannu natural park, where you can admire some majestic centuries-old olive trees.

The climb up the hills takes you to the Monte Cadelano forest complex, which houses the mining village of Orbai and the abandoned plants of the old mining activity.

Safety and useful tips

After you go past Musei and arrive at the Station of Villamassargia, you need to cross the SP87 road after the overpass to the SS 130. Pay attention to vehicular traffic.

As you arrive in Villamassargia, you have to walk through the residential area, therefore make sure to pay attention to urban traffic.

The route then proceeds to Orbai without any particular difficulties.

If it is not possible to spend the night in Orbai (the Posada is still being set up), you can proceed towards Rosas (arrival of the next stage) by taking the alternative route, which considerably shortens the route of Stage 17.

If you are willing to take this alternative route, it should be remembered that, if you start from Musei, it becomes challenging in any case, given the length to be covered in order to arrive directly in Rosas (24.4 Km), therefore it is advisable to prepare adequately or decide to stay overnight and start from Villamassargia.

HOSPITALITY INFORMATION

The mining village of Orbai has been restored and the old miners' houses will soon be used to host hikers-pilgrims.

For updates on the availability of the structure, contact the Santa Barbara Mining Path Foundation (0781 24132).

While waiting for this service to be activated, two possibilities are suggested:

• continue on the same day for the next stage, which can be reached in about 5 hours, finding hospitality in the mining village of Rosas;
• interrupt the stage in S'Ortu Mannu dedicating the afternoon to a stop in the homonymous Natural Park.