Stage 05 - from Monti Mannu to Domusnovas

DEPARTURE: Montimannu 355 m (a.s.l.)

ARRIVAL: Domusnovas 148 m (a.s.l.)

TECHNICAL DATA:

• Length: 56.2 km

• Elevation gain: +917 m and –1122 m

• Maximum gradient: +40.8%

• Minimum gradient: -49.3%

• Highest point on SP04 after passing the dam on Rio Leni: 375 m a.s.l.

STAGE DESCRIPTION:

 

Leaving the Posada di Montimannu, take the road downwards again, a steady and gentle descent retracing the route to the Canale Serci mine, until you reach the junction at the southern end of the lake. From here, continue straight along the circumlacular road that skirts the southern section of the lake basin.

At the end of the stretch along the lakeshore, the road climbs steeply for about 1 km with an average gradient of 12.5%, before descending toward the rural church of San Sisinnio and the park that hosts the most important cluster of large wild olive trees in Sardinia, with some specimens reaching about 13 meters in height and a trunk circumference exceeding 5 meters.

The wild olive tree is often incorrectly called “Olivastro.” However, while the latter grows from the seed of the cultivated olive tree, the wild olive is spontaneous and grows from the seed of a wild plant. The rural church of San Sisinnio was built in the first half of the 17th century when Archbishop Francisco de Esquivel donated a relic of the body of San Sisinnio to the canon of Villacidro, following the discovery of the Saint's remains in a church in Cagliari.

Back on the tarmac, head east until you cross and turn right onto SS 196, which you follow for 3.9 km, until you come to a dirt road on the right that allows you to take a long and comfortable dirt road heading southwest, leading into the rural area of Vallermosa.

Entering Vallermosa from the northern outskirts, the route runs through the town and reaches the Church of San Lucifero and the adjacent square. From here, turning left, take the SS 293 for a short stretch and, after crossing the bridge over the Rio Cannas at the first junction, turn left onto SP 89 and follow it until reaching the eastern outskirts of Domusnovas.

Following the provincial road near Domusnovas, arrive at the roundabout at the town entrance. Here, instead of entering the village, the stage continues straight and uphill for about 5 km with an average gradient of 3.2% northwards, reaching a parking area for hikers.

From the parking area, change direction by immediately turning right and taking the dirt road southwards, reaching the northern entrance of the Grotta di San Giovanni, one of the longest drivable natural tunnels in Europe. After paying the entrance fee and possibly joining a guided tour that also covers the archaeological aspects of the site, walk the approximately 850 m (a.s.l.) under the mountain, admiring the karst formations inside.

The cave has been the only one in Italy crossed by a drivable road; 850 meters long, it is the longest among the seven natural caves of its kind in the world and has been recognized as a natural monument, established under L.R. n. 31/1989 by D.G. decision n. 2777/1999 of the Department of Environmental Protection of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia. Since June 2020, it has been the first cave in the world fully connected to the internet and covered by Wi-Fi signal.

The genesis of the cave is an example of a specific karst phenomenon caused by the flow of an underground river that, over time, caused the collapse of a limestone mass, creating this large cavity. In addition to the main branch, the cave develops over two other levels (accessible only to experts), making the cave 2000 meters long. Used as a shelter in ancient times, it still shows the remains of massive prehistoric walls that strengthened the north and south entrances.

Today the road and the renewed lighting system make the cave fully accessible on foot and by bicycle.

Upon exiting the cave, you can refresh yourself at the kiosk before proceeding by immediately leaving the main road and crossing the small bridge on the right, where the road climbs to the small rural church of San Giovanni, which is not far away.

From the area in front of the little church, take the road descending toward the village, passing near the archaeological site of Sa Dom’e S’Orcu, which can be visited by reservation, dominated by the large multi-lobed Nuraghe.

The Nuraghe of Sa Domu’e s’Orcu is a complex nuraghe characterized by a high number of towers, nine in total, including the main keep. It consists of a central tower surrounded by a trilobate bastion, which encloses the courtyard, itself surrounded by an outer wall with five additional towers. The monument was built using limestone from the Marganai massif.

From here, continuing the descent southwards, reach the western outskirts of Domusnovas and, taking Via Cagliari, enter the town where, upon arrival at the ancient church of Santa Barbara, the stage concludes.

The Church of Santa Barbara in Domusnovas was built around the end of the 13th century. It was the center of the ancient fortified village of Domusnovas, part of the defensive system created by the Pisans, serving to protect Villa di Chiesa (now Iglesias) and the mining basin of the Iglesiente area. It is considered one of the oldest churches dedicated to the patron saint of miners on the island.