This is one of the new stages of the Trail that goes from the plains of Lower Sulcis to the southern end of the south-western coast of Sardinia.

Fish ponds, white dunes and the beautiful Porto Pino beach add beauty to an itinerary in which there is no shortage of traces of the mines and evidence of the ancient history of this strip of Sardinia, with the Nuraghe Arresi dominating the town of Sant'Anna Arresi.

Safety and useful tips

As you leave Masainas, proceed towards Is Domus (hamlet of Sant'Anna Arresi), where you have to walk along some asphalted roads with limited traffic. In any case, pay attention to the presence of vehicular traffic.

Upon arriving in Sant'Anna Arresi, you need to cross a series of urban roads, so you must pay attention to traffic and crossings. In particular, when you leave Sant'Anna Arresi, you have to walk along a stretch of the SP 73 road until you reach the cemetery. Also in this case, make sure to pay attention to vehicular traffic.

Just before arriving in the hamlet of Is Cinus, you must cross once again the SP 73, therefore pay close attention to the crossing, which, in this stretch, sees high-speed vehicle transit.

You will walk along the cliffs of Porto Pinetto and Portu Su Trigu while admiring once again the beautiful landscape with a constant view of the gulf of Palmas to the west.

The large expanses of Vermentino and Carignano vines are also characteristic of the first part of the route, until you enter the dune complex behind the Sa Salina and the Porto Botte beaches, from which you reach the plain with countryside landscapes that brings you to Tratalias.

It is a demanding stage due to its length, but very easy to walk.

Safety and useful tips

The route from Candiani does not present any particular difficulties until you get to the crossing of Via Nora, which is the asphalted road that goes from Is Solinas to the coast, where you have to cross the road and pay attention to vehicular traffic.

After passing Porto Botte, you have to proceed along an asphalted road with little traffic, which will take you to the Nuraghe Villarios, where shortly afterwards you have to cross the junction between SP 195 and SP 73. All these roads are subject to heavy vehicular traffic, so it is advisable to pay close attention to the various crossings along the route.

Afterwards, the route proceeds to Tratalias along dirt country roads and a cycle track (in Tratalias) which, despite being crossed by cars and vehicles, are not that problematic.

The stage is very long, so it is necessary to be adequately prepared.

This is an easy stage that leaves time to visit the various ancient churches present in the area: from the medieval Santa Maria di Monserrato, to the Byzantine Santa Maria di Palmas, to the early Christian Basilica of Sant'Antioco.

You should keep a slow pace to admire the naturalistic beauty of the birdlife present in the wet area of the Sant'Antioco saltworks: a fascinating itinerary that leads you back to the south-western coast of Sardinia.

Safety and useful tips

The route from the ancient village of Tratalias proceeds along a comfortable and easy dirt road. As you go past the small church of Palmas you have to cross the SS 195 road and the Rio Palmas.

Depending on the weather and on the flood conditions of the River, it is possible to pass under the SS 195. (Please Note: The River can flood even without adverse weather conditions, in fact it is the natural outlet of the dam of the Lake of Monte Prama; therefore the river can flood even when the dam locks are opened).

In case the SS 195 underpass over the bed of the Rio Palmas is impassable due to the water flow, you will have to cross the SS 195. Therefore, make sure to pay close attention to the presence of vehicular traffic.

Once in the vicinity of Sant'Antioco, it is necessary to proceed by crossing the SS 126 road and taking the footbridge that connects the Island of Sant'Antioco to Sardinia. Pay attention when crossing the state highway due to the heavy traffic.

At the end of the stage, you have to pass through the streets of Sant'Antioco, therefore it is necessary to pay attention to the urban traffic.

WARNING: due to work in progress in the Sant'Antioco saltworks, a deviation must be made as indicated below; the area is signed.

Most of the route runs along an old track of the Ferrovie Meridionali Sarde (FMS) that today has been transformed almost entirely into a pedestrian and cycle track. For about half a century (from the early 1920s to the early 1970s), this route ensured the mobility of people in the area, as well as the transport of coal from the Great Mine of Serbariu to the port of Sant'Antioco.

This is one of the longest stages of the Trail, but it is very easy and without any particular difficulties.

Safety and useful tips

In the initial section of the stage, you have to pass through the streets of Sant'Antioco, therefore you need to pay attention to urban traffic.

When you leave Sant'Antioco, as you did on the outward journey, you must cross the SS126; make sure to pay attention when crossing the road due to vehicular traffic.

The route then proceeds along the cycle track to reach the crossing of an asphalted road that leads to the area of Is Cordeddas near the roundabout on the SS 126; pay attention to this crossing.

Once in San Giovanni Suergiu, still following the cycle track, you have to cross Via Porto Botte, a continuation of the SS 195 that passes through the urban area. Once again, pay attention when crossing the road.

As you reach Carbonia, you have to take an urban route; make sure to pay attention to urban vehicular traffic and to the various crossings.

From industrial archaeology to classical archaeology, from the coal mines of Serbariu to that of Nuraxi Figus, which are encountered respectively in the initial and final sections of the stage, the entire route is a sort of large open-air archaeological park, where it is possible to walk through the traces of the last 5,000 years of the territory's history.

ATTENTION: in this stage there are no restaurants or pizzerias, there is a grocery store where you can buy everything you need for dinner and supplies for the following day.

Safety and useful tips

In order to leave Carbonia in the direction of the Serbariu Mine, you have to walk through an urban stretch, therefore it is necessary to pay attention to the various crossings. Once you leave the Serbariu Mine, you have to cross the SS 126 to enter the dirt road that leads to the Nuraghe Sirai. Pay attention when crossing due to the presence of heavy vehicular traffic often at high speed.

As you reach the purification plant of Flumentepido, make sure to check if the Rio Flumentepido is in flood, in which case you must take the alternative route that leads to Cortoghiana passing through Medau Desogus.

You will then arrive in Cortoghiana at the furniture store commercial area and cross the SS 126 at the traffic light. Pay attention when crossing the state highway. Afterwards, you have to walk through Cortoghiana, therefore you must pay attention to the presence of urban traffic. The route continues to Nuraxi Figus, where once again you have to pass through the village along roads with urban traffic.

The stage is long, so prepare yourself properly.

There is a  variant which reduces the length of the route by approximately 7 km.