Cammino Minerario Di Santa Barbara

Itinerary 204 - Su Mannau - San Benedetto - Domusnovas Musei - Villamassargia

Stages 13 -14 -15

Attention: Su Mannau is not easily reachable by public transportation. It can be reached by private transfers, but we recommend including this itinerary as part of a longer route—for example, if you plan to walk the previous stages or the entire trail.

What other walkers say

Alberto M.
Alberto M.Italia
"Imperdibili le grotte di Su Mannau!"
Hannah K.
Hannah K.Austria
"la Sardegna insolita, tra boschi e miniere"
Marco e Stefania
Marco e StefaniaItalia
"Colori e profumi meravigliosi"
"Imperdibili le grotte di Su Mannau!"
Alberto M.
Italia
"la Sardegna insolita, tra boschi e miniere"
Hannah K.
Austria
"Colori e profumi meravigliosi!"
Marco e Stefania
Italia
GROTTE FANTASTICHE
FORESTE
LAGHI SOTTERRANEI

(Remember that it is necessary to have the pilgrim card/credential and always check the availability of accommodation facilities before requesting vouchers.)

Stage 13

Total Length: 14,3 km

Difficulty by Foot: Medium

Travel times: 5 hours

Climb up: 532 m

Climb down: 330 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

Start: San Benedetto

Arrival: Domusnovas-Musei

Total Length: 22,1 km

Difficulty by Foot: Medium

Travel times: 7 ore

Climb up: 610 m

Climb down: 884 m

Since the nearly 4.5 kilometers of the old railway track, built at the end of the 19th century along the slopes of these limestone-dolomitic mountains to transport minerals, can no longer be used, we walk along the valley floor until we enter the forest. A dirt road or a path leads us to the Case Marganai, in a beautiful mountain environment, where it is possible to visit the Linasia garden. Mining activities have left important traces here, immersed in lush nature. Almost 800 meters are traveled underground, crossing from north to south the second largest karst cavity in Europe accessible to trucks, now open only to pedestrians, horse riders, and cyclists. Also remarkable is the nuragic site of Sa Domu ’e S’Orku. The steep descents from Case Marganai along the mule track switchbacks require particular caution.

WARNING: To cross the Grotta di San Giovanni, it is necessary to go to the north entrance, ring the bell, and identify yourself as a CMSB pilgrim; an operator will come to open. The cave is open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and an entrance fee of 5 euros is required; otherwise, there is an alternative route available outside.

Stage 15 to Villamassargia

Start: Domusnovas-Musei

Arrival: Orbai

Total Length: 16,7 km

Difficulty by Foot: Medium

Travel times: 5 hours and 30 minutes

Climb up: 384 m

Climb down: 178 m

Crossing the Cixerri valley, you walk among the farming and pastoral businesses of this fertile plain, until reaching the S’Ortu Mannu Natural Park

WHERE TO SLEEP IN SAN BENEDETTO AND DOMUSNOVAS-MUSEI

(Remember that it is necessary to have the pilgrim card/credential and always check the availability of accommodation facilities before requesting vouchers.)

HOW TO GET TO SU MANNAU

plane

From Cagliari-Elmas airport, train to Iglesias

bus

From Cagliari station to Iglesias, line 801

From Iglesias to Fluminimaggiore, line 804 and descend to the junction for the Su Mannau Caves 

Attention: Su Mannau is not easily reachable by public transportation. It can be reached by private transfers, but we recommend including this itinerary as part of a longer route—for example, if you plan to walk the previous stages or the entire trail.

Chiusura straordinaria

Causa interruzione energia elettrica la nostra sede rimarrà chiusa il giorno venerdì 23/05/2025