Stage 11 - from Carbonia to Portoscuso

DEPARTURE: Carbonia 92 m (a.s.l.)

ARRIVAL: Portoscuso 11 m (a.s.l.)

TECHNICAL DATA:

• Length: 34.3 Km

• Elevation gain: +392 m and –477 m

• Maximum gradient: +11.0%

• Minimum gradient: -13.6%

Highest point: (Serra Maverru Necropolis) h: 159 m (a.s.l.)

 

OUT-AND-BACK CAPO ALTANO

Out-and-back length: 7.26 Km

Start/end point (Square in front of the entrance to the Old Su Pranu Tonnara): h: 10 m (a.s.l.)

Highest point (Capo Altano panoramic point): h: 53 m (a.s.l.).

 

STAGE DESCRIPTION:

Starting from the Posada of Carbonia, the stage begins along Via Costituente up to the roundabout near the sports field, then taking Via della Stazione, which is immediately to the right.

Near the roundabout, just off the route, you can reach the Carbonia Station, which is directly connected to Cagliari.

The train station of Carbonia, like those of Iglesias and Villamassargia, are connected both to the Port of Cagliari and Elmas airport, so there is nothing to prevent you from starting your bike journey from any of these hubs, following the circular route and therefore returning to the chosen starting point.

Continue along Via della Stazione, passing through the commercial area of Carbonia and heading north; at the end of Via Dalmazia, turn left, and immediately after, past the service station, turn right to continue west towards the intersection with State Road 126 (SS 126).

At the junction, turning right, follow the state road north-northwest until you reach the roundabout at the entrance to the hamlet of Flumentepido.

Go around the roundabout and enter Flumentepido along Via delle Querce, reaching the small church of Madonna di Flumentepido; continue along the road until you are near the water treatment plant.

Just before the plant, turn right onto the dirt road that runs along the Rio Flumentepido, continuing until you reach the intersection with SS 126.

Here, due to the dangerous crossing of the main road, it is recommended to consider passing along the river embankments, which at this point are paved and allow passage beneath the SS 126. This can be done by getting off the bike and only if the river is not in flood. If you choose to cross the main road instead, exercise great caution.

After getting through this tricky section, continue on the dirt road following the course of the Rio Flumentepido, passing the junction for Medau Desogus, and continue up the ramp that brings you to the level of the old railway section, near the former iron bridge that used to allow the trains to cross the river.

After a short stretch along the former railway line, at the first fork, take the dirt road to the right and head straight towards the small village of Acqua Callentis.

Pass the residential area and continue on the paved road, which leads you past the rural church of Nostra Signora dell’Ausilio, the junction for the village of Caput Acqua, and keep heading north towards Medau Brau and beyond, passing the small hamlet of Terra Segada.

After this settlement, after about 500 m, you join the road that, heading southwest, leads to the buildings of the former Cortoghiana mine.

The Cortoghiana mine was established in 1889, following the discovery of a significant fossil coal deposit in the area. Granted to the Birocchi Filippo Company by Royal Decree on 31/07/1892, after several transfers, in 1934 it became the property of the Società Mineraria Carbonifera Sarda, remaining active until its complete closure in the late 1960s and transfer to private owners in 1973.

The deposit was only partially exploited due to the presence of aquifers and high extraction and transportation costs.

After passing the abandoned industrial buildings and reaching the commemorative stele of the accident that involved several miners, turn left and reach the traffic light on SS 126, at the entrance to the town of Cortoghiana. This town was designed in 1939 near the mine of the same name and inaugurated on 15 May 1942, attended by the head of the fascist regime, Benito Mussolini.

Cross the main road and enter the town, which stands out for its rationalist urban design, following Viale Amedeo di Savoia and arriving at Via Irma Bandiera, where the vast Piazza Venezia stands out—a typical example of architecture from the Fascist period.

At the end of the square, by turning right onto Via M. Grambassi, reach the western outskirts of the town. Here, by turning left, you can take the bypass route, or you can stay on the main stage, which turns right onto Viale Amedeo di Savoia.

This leads you to the entrance of the pine forest, where a dirt trail begins among the trees and the many archaeological remains at the site.

The dirt road heads north, ascending for 2.2 km from 97 m (a.s.l.) to 159 m (a.s.l.) with a moderate gradient of 2.8%, reaching the Domus de Janas necropolis of Serra Maverru.

The necropolis is composed of about ten domus de janas of various structures and types (single-chamber or circular with various locules), dating to the late Neolithic (Ozieri culture), dug into trachyte rock.

The tombs were reused until the early Bronze Age, as shown by the discovery of several pottery pieces and a trepanned human skull.

Near the necropolis, towards Nuraxi Figus, the remains of a village and numerous structures are still visible, including nuraghe, sacred wells, megalithic circles, and Giants’ Tombs, proof of a well-organized Nuragic settlement in the area.

After this site, descend towards Nuraxi Figus. Along and near the route, you can see several archaeological features: from the Murru Moi megalithic circle to the Nuraxi Figus nuraghe, the Su Narboni di Ciccunieddu Giants' Tomb, the Arenas nuraghe, and, on the eastern edge of Nuraxi Figus, the Sacred Well of Is Arenas.

Upon entering the town, turn right onto Via Roma, and you will reach the ethnographic museum (visitable by reservation) and the Parish Church of Saint Isidore the Farmer.

Continuing along Via Roma, after about 250 m (a.s.l.), turn left at the intersection with Via Sandro Pertini; at the second left, take the road that passes alongside the Nuraxi Figus mine area and then crosses the Portoscuso wind farm, until you reach SP 02 near the Portovesme industrial area.

Between 1969 and 1972, a publicly led project established the Portovesme industrial complex, which integrated all stages of aluminium processing through three main companies: Eurallumina for bauxite treatment, Alsar for primary aluminium production, and Sardal and Comsal for subsequent processing steps.

Additionally, the public company EGAM, in addition to managing the few mines still in operation, built facilities for lead and zinc processing in the early 1970s, facilities that were later extensively modernized by Eni in the 1980s.

Alongside these companies, Enel installed a thermoelectric power station here, which was also fueled by locally mined coal; its energy production accounted for 45% of total Sardinian output. It is estimated that the Portovesme and San Gavino plants provided employment for about 3,600 people in total.

The decline of this industrial reality and the progressive closure of the mining sector have led to the deep employment crisis currently affecting the Sulcis Iglesiente region.

After crossing the provincial road and entering the industrial area, turn left towards the Paringianu hamlet; shortly before reaching the village, turn right and take the dirt road that runs along the settling basin.

On this dirt road, first head towards Sa Punta De S’Aliga, then follow the coastline back into the industrial area, and continue to the industrial and maritime port where ferries to Carloforte depart.

Leave the port, take the sandy dirt road towards Portoscuso, pass Parco Cidano, and reach the seafront entrance, following it past the marina and then taking Via Marco Polo to reach the square in front of the Parish Church of Santa Maria d’Itria and the entrance to the Su Pranu Tonnara.

The “Su Pranu” tonnara, dating back to the 16th century and recognized as a cultural asset by the Ministry of Culture, is the most significant example of the traditional fixed tuna fishing system in Sardinia and a magnificent example of 17th-century architecture with Aragonese influences.

It is emblematic of the history of Portoscuso, as the town developed around this activity.

The complex spans over 1 hectare and includes a recently restored manor house, fishermen's quarters, storage rooms for equipment and processing the catch, a church, and a large arsenal for boats, all arranged seamlessly around a large courtyard overlooking the sea.

The stage ends at this point; however, from here you can do the out-and-back route to Capo Altano, a remarkable coastal spot offering a stunning view from San Pietro Island to Pan di Zucchero.

 

OUT-AND-BACK CAPO ALTANO

From the entrance of the Tonnara, head north on the picturesque Via Torre to the Spanish-origin Portoscuso Tower, which was one of Sardinia’s “fortified towers” (heavily defended with cannons and culverins).

Continue the route along Via Gramsci, then turn left onto Via Don Mignioni, then right onto Via Deledda, skirting the pine forest to the residential area of Villaggio del Sole.

From here, take the convenient cycle path leading to the panoramic area of Capo Altano overlooking the sea. After visiting the fortifications and admiring the beautiful coastal scenery, return by retracing your steps to the square in front of the Tonnara and end the stage.