Stage 12 – from Carloforte to Capo Sandalo Lighthouse

TECHNICAL DATA STAGE 12:

• Stage 12 Length: 27.0 km

• Elevation Gain: +709 m and –633 m

• Maximum Gradient: +17.9%

• Minimum Gradient: -14.6%

STAGE 12 DESCRIPTION:

After taking the ferry from Portovesme, in just 40/45 minutes of crossing you'll arrive at Carloforte, where Stage 08 begins.

Upon arrival at the port, Via Cavour, with its Art Nouveau buildings and large, centuries-old Ficus trees, welcomes visitors as they disembark and walk along this street until reaching the northern edge of town.

After turning left onto Via Pertini, the route heads into the heart of the island; following this road as it continues on asphalt, you reach a junction that leads into the first out-and-back section, which is covered by simply following the natural extension of the road without turning left.

Continuing along the road, the route descends towards Cantagallina Beach, and after passing the small inlet, you come to renovated buildings that once served as storage facilities for the Bilancelle, flat-bottomed boats used by the Galanzieri to shuttle between Carloforte and the coves of the Sardinian coast, where minerals extracted from various mines were loaded for transport to Carloforte port and shipped onwards to mainland Italy.

From here, if desired, you can reach the renowned Tacca Rossa beach.

Returning uphill to the junction taken earlier for the out-and-back section, turn right and continue ascending. After about 1.1 km, you'll arrive at the junction with the first Variant of this route, which, like all variants in this stage, is a long out-and-back.

At the previously mentioned junction, turn left and begin descending towards the coast.

Shortly before reaching the cliffs at La Punta (the northernmost tip of Isola di San Pietro), you'll see on the left distinctive globoid rock formations and, later on the right, the ruins of the old tuna fishery and, immediately after, the new private tuna fishery buildings, the Tonnare PIAM.

 

The start of operations at this tuna fishery dates back to the second half of the 1600s, when the first buildings and later the processing plant were built on Isola Piana, a small island less than a mile from the "La Punta" area.

From 1711, ownership was transferred to Marquis Francesco Pes di Villamarina and subsequently remained in the hands of the Pes di Villamarina family, who leased the business to various Genoese merchants.

In 1898, Marquis Salvatore Pes di Villamarina e d’Azeglio personally ran the fishing activity, and in 1966 all the equipment and vessels were moved to their current location at "La Punta". From 1880 to today, the Carloforte tuna fishery has belonged to a family-run company, the Greco family.

The bluefin tunas, caught during the traditional “mattanza” and the so-called “Corsa” season (during their migration from April to June), are immediately processed and preserved in olive oil directly at the Tonnara’s facilities. A distinctive feature is the use of rectangular metal tins (called “bauletti”), packed by hand with olive oil and sea salt. This product is considered a Sardinian gastronomic excellence.

Upon reaching the cliffs, you can enjoy a beautiful view stretching from the nearby Isola Piana (a private island) to Capo Altano.

Resuming the route, this time uphill with an average gradient of 3%, you ascend from 5 m (a.s.l.) at the cliffs back to 69 m (a.s.l.) at the junction, where a right turn brings you back to the main route.

At the junction for the Tonnare, turning right onto the variant, continue north for a few dozen meters, then the road veers west and, after about 1.3 km, meets the path that, turning left, heads north towards Punta delle Oche.

Taking the path, descend and after approximately 3 km, passing the Fungo rock seen on the right of the route, you reach the area of Punta delle Oche, which stands sheer above the sea.

Near the open area by the cliff, an ancient Punic tomb can be seen, and at the base of the cliff is a sea cave much sought after by diving enthusiasts.

Continuing along the path, you begin an ascent that climbs from 45 m (a.s.l.) to 185 m (a.s.l.) in just over 3 km, with an average gradient of 4.6%.

At the top of the climb, you rejoin the main stage route, which now descends westward.

At the junction on the stage at Loc. Gioia, turn right to follow the road that ends at the Capo Sandalo viewpoint.

Halfway along, there is a junction that descends towards the abandoned Capo Becco Mine, famous for its manganese ochre (limonite) and jasper (which, being a vitrified material, was used in the Neolithic for properties similar to obsidian), where some buildings, remnants of the cableway, and the generator group that supplied the energy for production are still visible.

Continuing towards Capo Sandalo and just before reaching the panoramic area, you'll come to the parking lot for Cala Fico beach and nearby the center that manages the LIPU Oasis of Carloforte, where the status of the island's unique birdlife is monitored, especially Eleonora's Falcon (Falco eleonorae), which nests on the cliffs overhanging the sea.

Just before reaching the Capo Sandalo viewpoint, you will see on the right the large Capo Sandalo lighthouse, the westernmost lighthouse in Italy.