Itinerary 306 - Rosas - Nuxis - Santadi - Is Zuddas - Masainas
Stages 18-19-20-21
Attention: Rosas is not directly accessible by public transportation. It is possible to reach Rosas with private transfers, or we recommend including this route as part of a longer itinerary, for example, if you plan to also do the previous stage or more stages.
What other walkers say
Stage 18
Total Length: 13,1 km
Difficulty: Easy
Travel times: 4 hours
Climb up: 297 m
Climb down: 348 m
Today you will start the descent towards the plains of Lower Sulcis, where there is still much evidence of mining activity.
You will pass through the lead, zinc and copper mine of Sa Marchesa and admire several disused limestone quarries.
Then you’ll take the route of the railway that connected the Cixerri and the Lower Sulcis valleys until you reach the island of Sant’Antioco.
You’ll pass under one of the bridges of this railway and walk along comfortable dirt roads, mule tracks and, in the final part of the route, asphalted roads.
Safety and useful tips
The route proceeds along comfortable and easy roads.
As you arrive in the vicinity of Acquacadda, from which you will climb towards the site of Sa Marchesa, pay attention to crossings in the urban area and in particular on the SP 78 provincial road, which has to be crossed twice to visit the Museum of Sa Marchesa and come back.
Once in Crabì, you have to walk along the edge of the SP 293 road for about 350 m; also in this case, make sure to pay attention both to this passage and to the passage on the asphalted roads of the small village due to vehicular traffic.
Also, when you arrive in Nuxis you have to cross busy roads, therefore you need to pay attention when crossing and walking along the streets.
Stage 19
Total Length: 15,3 km
Difficulty: Easy
Travel times: 4 hours
Climb up: 390 m
Climb down: 457 m
A short stage, which is mainly covered along asphalted secondary roads and unpaved driveways. You will see the large barite quarry of Rio Bacchera and the onyx quarry of Tattinu (Roman quarry).
However, the main attractions of this route are the archaeological traces: from the Sacred Well of Tattinu, to the Byzantine Church of Sant’Elia, up to the rich Museum of Santadi.
WARNING: The sacred well of Tattinu is currently closed due to work in progress, the church of Sant’Elia is only visible from the outside.
Safety and useful tips
The route proceeds along comfortable and easy roads.
The first part of the route to leave Nuxis develops along asphalted urban and peri-urban roads, therefore you must pay attention to vehicular traffic.
Once you reach the village of Is Cosas, you have to follow the asphalted road along Via Camposanto in order to reach Santadi. Although this road is not very busy, you must pay attention to vehicular traffic that intensifies as you get closer to the town of Santadi.
Tappa 20
Total Length: 16,0 km
Difficulty: Easy
Travel times: 5 hours
Climb up: 191 m
Climb down: 216 m
In addition to the beauty of the Carignano vines, today’s route is characterised by important archaeological points of interest (Menhir of Su Terrazzu, necropolis of Pani Loriga, Grotta del Tesoro) and traces of mining activity (Su Benatzu mine), but above all by underground karstic phenomena (Is Zuddas Caves).
Safety and useful tips
The route proceeds along comfortable and easy roads.
The first part of the route out of Santadi develops along asphalted urban and peri-urban roads, so pay attention to vehicular traffic.
Once you reach the village of Is Pireddas, you must cross the SP 293 road, therefore pay close attention to vehicular traffic.
Once you reach Terrazzu, you travel along asphalted roads with vehicular traffic in some sections; once again, make sure to pay attention.
After Terrazzu, you have to proceed towards Pani Loriga; if you want to visit the archaeological site, you need to cross once again the SP 293 two times to visit the site and come back. When crossing, pay attention to vehicular traffic on the provincial road.
Before arriving in Su Benatzu and just before Is Zuddas, you have to take a stretch of the SP 70 road; watch out for vehicular traffic.
Tappa 21
Total Length: 22,2 km
Difficulty: Hard
Travel times: 8 hours
Climb up: 826 m
Climb down: 873 m
This stage will lead you to barite quarries and several archaeological sites (Domus de janas of Su Cungiau de Tuttui, Nuraghi Moddizzi, Murrecci and Corongius Longus).
Lush vegetation with beautiful juniper trees covers the hills above the urban centre of Masainas.
You will have occasional glimpses of the landscape, where you can admire the sea in the distance.
The uphill slope that must be climbed at the start of the route to come up from the Is Zuddas caves (102 m above sea level) and reach the pass of Monte Moddizzi (374 m above sea level) is quite challenging.
Safety and useful tips
Upon leaving Is Zuddas, follow the SP 70 road for about 500 m to arrive in Su Benatzu. Pay attention to vehicular traffic and to the crossing in order to reach the correct side of the road.
Afterwards, you can proceed quite easily along the signed dirt roads that characterise the itinerary. However, it must be said that the stage is very long, therefore it is necessary to prepare adequately.
As you arrive in Piscinas, you will walk through the main street of the village, which is in fact the SS 293 road, therefore pay attention to urban traffic.
Also when you reach Giba, you will find the same situation as before, as you have to cross part of the town on the main road which is still the SS 293. Therefore, pay attention to urban traffic and any crossings.
Upon arriving in Masainas, just before reaching the memorial stone, you have to cross the southern outskirts of the village while passing through Via Roma, which is none other than the urban route of the SS 195; therefore make sure to pay attention when crossing and passing along the streets of the village.
WHERE TO SLEEP IN NUXIS, SANTADI AND IS ZUDDAS
B&B Nuraximannu (Is Zuddas from april 15)
(Making a simple donation)
HOW TO GET TO ROSAS
Rosas is not directly accessible by public transportation. It is possible to reach Rosas with private transfers, or we recommend including this route as part of a longer itinerary, for example, if you plan to also do the previous stage or more stages.