Path Description
DEPARTURE: Montimannu 355 m (asl)
ARRIVAL: Domusnovas 148 m (asl)
TECHNICAL DATA:
- Length: 56.2 km
- Difference in altitude: +917 m and –1122 m
- Maximum gradient + 40.8%
- Minimum gradient -49.3%
- Highest point on SP04 after passing the dam barrier on the Rio Leni 375 m above sea level
STAGE DESCRIPTION:
Returning from the Posada di Montimannu, you take the road that descends steadily and slightly, retracing the stretch to the Canale Serci mine, until you reach the crossroads at the southern end of the lake. From here, continuing straight, you take the circumlactic road that runs along the southern part of the lake basin.
At the end of the passage along the lake shore, the road climbs a short but challenging stretch of about 1 km with an average gradient of 12.5% before descending towards the rural church of San Sisinnio and the park that is home to the largest aggregation of large wild olive trees in Sardinia, with some specimens reaching a height of about 13 meters and a trunk circumference exceeding 5 meters.
The wild olive is often incorrectly called "Olivastro," but while the latter grows from the seed of cultivated olive trees, the wild oleaster is spontaneous and grows from the seed of wild plants. The country 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.
Once back on the asphalt, continue east until you cross and take the SS 196 on the right, which you follow for 3.9 km, until you cross a dirt road on the right that allows us to take a long and comfortable dirt road that continues south-west and leads us into the Vallermosa countryside.
Entering from the northern outskirts of Vallermosa, the route continues through the village and reaches the Church of San Lucifero and the small square in front. From here, turning left, take the SS 293 for a short stretch and, after crossing the bridge over the Rio Cannas at the first crossroads, turn left onto the SP 89, which you follow until you reach the eastern outskirts of Domusnovas.
Following the provincial road, near Domusnovas, you reach the roundabout at the entrance to the town. Here, instead of entering the town, the route continues straight and uphill for about 5 km with an average gradient of 3.2% in a northerly direction, arriving at a parking area for hikers.
From the parking area, change direction, turning immediately right and continuing along the dirt road south, arriving at the northern entrance to the Grotte di San Giovanni, one of the longest natural tunnels accessible to vehicles in Europe. After paying the entrance fee and possibly taking a guided tour that also explores the site's many archaeological aspects, you walk approximately 850 m (above sea level) beneath the mountain, admiring the karst concretions present.
The cave was the only one in Italy to be traversed by a road suitable for vehicles. At 850 meters long, it is the longest of the seven natural caves in the world. It has been recognized as a natural monument, established pursuant to Regional Law no. 31/1989 with DG Resolution no. 2777/1999 of the Department of Environmental Protection of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia. Starting in June 2020, it will become the first cave in the world to be entirely connected to an internet connection and covered by Wi-Fi.
The cave's origins are an example of a specific karst phenomenon, caused by the flow of an underground river that over time caused a limestone rock mass to collapse, creating this large cavity. In addition to the main branch, the cave extends over two additional levels (accessible only to experts), making it 2,000 meters long. Used as a refuge in ancient times, it still displays the remains of the mighty prehistoric walls that served to fortify the north and south entrances.
Today, the road and the renovated lighting system make the cave entirely accessible on foot and by bicycle.
Upon exiting the caves, you can refresh yourself at the kiosk, then continue, immediately leaving the main road and crossing the small bridge on the right of the road, from which begins the road that climbs to the small country church of San Giovanni, a short distance away.
From the clearing in front of the little church, take the road that descends towards the village, passing near the archaeological area of Sa Dom'e S'Orcu, which can be visited by reservation, and is dominated by the large polylobed nuraghe.
The Nuraghe of Sa Domu'e s'Orcu is a complex nuraghe characterized by its large number of towers—nine, including the keep. It consists of a central tower surrounded by a trefoil bastion, enclosing the courtyard, which in turn is surrounded by a rampart with five additional towers. The monument was constructed using limestone from the Marganai massif.
From here, continuing the descent in a southerly direction, you reach the western outskirts of Domusnovas and, taking Via Cagliari, you enter the town where, arriving at the ancient church of Santa Barbara, the stage ends.
The church of Santa Barbara in Domusnovas was built around the end of the 13th century, the centre of the ancient nucleus of the fortified village of Domusnovas, part of the defensive system created by the Pisans, with the protective function of Villa di Chiesa (now Iglesias) and the Iglesiente mining basin, and is one of the oldest churches dedicated to the patron saint of the miners on the island.
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