Itinerary 102 - Su Mannau - San Benedetto - Domusnovas Musei
Stages 13 -14 -15
What other walkers say
Stage 13
Total Length: 14,3 km
Difficulty by Foot: Hard
Travel times: 5 hours
Climb up: 687 m
Climb down: 485 m
In this stage, you still walk through holm oak woods until you come across the Punic-Roman temple of Antas dedicated to the Sardus Pater.
Then you proceed to the large excavations and many valuable mining structures of the Baueddu, Malacalzetta and San Benedetto mines, thanks to which this stage is one of the most interesting ones in terms of industrial archaeology.
Stage 14
Total Length: 5,6 km
Difficulty by Foot: Easy
Travel times: 3 hours
Climb up: 472 m
Climb down: 127 m
For more than half of the stage you will walk along the old railway track, which was built on the slopes of these limestone-dolomite mountains to transport minerals.
The final section of the path will lead to Case Marganai and runs along a comfortable dirt road entirely immersed in dense holm oak woods.
This is a very short and easy stage that is recommended if you want to spend a light day in a beautiful mountain environment, also with the chance to visit the Linasia Garden and comfortably reach the summit of Punta San Michele (906 m).
Stage 15
Total Length: 16,6 km
Difficulty by Foot: Medium
Travel times: 5 hours and 30 minutes
Climb up: 596 m
Climb down: 1187 m
WARNING: To pass through the Cave of St. John, you need to present yourself at the northern entrance, ring the bell and identify yourself as a CMSB pilgrim (5 euros ticket), then an operator will come and open the door. The cave is open from 9 am to 6 pm, otherwise there is an alternative route to go outside.
In this area, mining activity has left important traces that are immersed in a beautiful nature.
This stage takes you almost 800 m underground, crossing from north to south the second largest karstic cave in Europe, which used to be crossed by lorries and today can only be accessed on foot, horseback or by bicycle.
The nuragic site of Sa Domu ‘e S’Orku is also remarkable. The route is relatively easy, however the steep downhill along the hairpin turns of the mule tracks during the first part of the stage requires special attention.
WHERE TO SLEEP IN SAN BENEDETTO
(making a simple donation)
HOW TO GET TO SU MANNAU
From Cagliari-Elmas Airport, direct train to Iglesias
From Cagliari station or bus station – bus line 801
Then from Iglesias to Fluminimaggiore – bus line 804