Costa Verde - Sardinia

Self-guided

Day 1: Arrival in Cagliari and transfer to Montevecchio
Day 2: Loop walk from Montevecchio Sanna Mines or Mt. Arcuentu, 5 or 6.2 mi. (8 or 10 km)
Day 3: Montevecchio - Piscinas, 11 mi. (18 km)
Day 4: Rest day
Day 5: Piscinas - Sibiri, 13 mi. (20 km)
Day 6: Rocce Blanche - Fluminimaggiore, 13 mi. (20 km)
Day 7: Fighezia - Portixeddu Beach, 8 - 9 mi. (12 or 15 km)
Day 8: Departure

Day 1: Arrival in Cagliari
Arrive in Cagliari airport and you will be transferred to your first accommodation in Montevecchio where you will be briefed on the trip. (D)

Overnight: Montevecchio

Day 2: Loop walk from Montevecchio Sanna Mines or Mt. Arcuentu, 5 or 6.2 mi. (8 or 10 km)
Depending on how you feel, you have a choice of two walks today:

OPTION A: A gentle start to your walking holiday, setting off from La Miniera Fiorita, you follow old miners’ trails past abandoned mine buildings and through lush vegetation. As the route is not overly long, you have plenty of time to explore the fascinating old zinc and lead mines – mineshafts with their original equipment, former factories, and workers’ villages, all set amid lush Holm and cork-oak woods. It is likely that you will see some Sardinian deer during your walks. In the afternoon, you can visit the museum in Montevecchio, a historical account of the mining tradition of this area. 

OPTION B: For those feeling more energetic, today you explore Mt. Arcuentu range, a volcanic landform that rises quite dramatically from the Campidano Plans. After a short transfer, the walk starts on a gentle path through the Spanish broom, to then become steeper as you reach the sacred basalt summit. The shrine nestled here in the dense Holm oak wood along with the 360-degree views make it a truly remarkable place. The descent is across pastureland all the way to your accommodation in Montevecchio. (B, L, D)

Overnight: Montevecchio

Day 3: Montevecchio -  Piscinas, 11 mi. (18 km) 
From Montevecchio, you head towards the coast on gently meandering footpaths through dense shrub and past shepherd holdings. The path reaches Riu Irvi, an iron-colored stream you will cross several times before reaching the majestic sand dunes of Piscinas, one of the biggest in Europe that stretches for several kilometers along the Costa Verde. Coated in juniper and Mediterranean scrub, the dunes reach heights of up to 50 meters in places. A short section will lead you to your next accommodation. (B, L, D). 

Overnight: Arbus

Day 4: Rest day 
Time to relax, or if you wish more coastal walks are available. (B)

Overnight: Arbus

Day 5: Piscinas - Sibiri, 13 mi. (20 km) 
Today you head inland, following a river upstream through a small canyon before ascending through Mediterranean scrub to a former railway. You pass buildings that reflect the richness of industrial archaeology of this area: the Brassey washery, named after its English owner, the Viscount of Brasse (Pozzo Gal), a well-reserved shaft recently opened as a multi-media museum. Walking through Ingurtosu Village, you can admire the interesting architecture of the Administrative offices. Taking a network of goat tracks will lead you to your next Agriturismo accommodation where a delightful meal awaits.  (B, L, D)

Overnight: Arbus

Day 6: Rocce Bianche – Fluminimaggiore, 13 mi. (20 km)   
You will start off with a transfer, to the start of a mountain trail close to Mt Linas. This route was once the “smugglers way”, used by cattle thieves to transport their stolen animals down to the coast. The initial climb is gradual, following a tight valley and narrow stream, then walking through mountain pastures and meadows, finally reaching Planucheddu (630 meters) from where you will have a breathtaking 360 degrees view of all the Sulcis Iglesiente range. Take time to fully absorb the vista and catch your breath, as you will then embark on a rewarding 10 km descent into the sleepy town of Fluminimaggiore. This is the first time during this trip that you come into a village. After a short coffee break and a quick visit of the interesting wall paintings known as “murales”, the last section of the walk is towards the coast, along the fertile Flumini valley, along country lanes, past olive plantations and vineyards. Your next accommodation is not far from the long and sandy beach of Portixeddu. (B, L, D)

Overnight: Fluminimaggiore

Day 7: Fighezia - Portixeddu Beach, loop walk, 8 - 9 mi. (12-15 km)  
Your final day walk will lead you to the coast again and the long sandy beach of Portixeddu. Here you have the option to take an easy stroll along the long sandy beach towards Buggerru or to follow the trails along the rocky promontory towards Capo Pecora. Returning to your Agriturismo, you finish with another mouth-watering meal in the good company of your localhost, Francesco and his family. (B, L, D)

Overnight: Fluminimaggiore

Day 8: Departure   (B)
After breakfast, You will be provided a transfer to your accommodation and to the airport for your flight home.

Guided

Day 1: Arrival in Cagliari
Day 2: Loop Piscinas Irgas waterfalls, 11 mi. (17 km)
Day 3: Muru Mannu to Sibiri, 12 mi. (20 km)
Day 4: Sibiri - Piscinas sand dunes, 8 mi. (15 km)
Day 5: Sibiri - Fluminimaffiore, 12.5 mi. (20 km)
Day 6: Rest day
Day 7: Cala Domestica - Porto Flavia, 8 mi. (15 km)
Day 8: Departure

Day 1: Arrival in Cagliari
Arrival at Cagliari airport and transfer to your first accommodation in the Sulcis Mountains at Samassi and your agriturismo where you will be briefed on the trip. (D)

Overnight: Samassi

Day 2: Loop walk from Samassi,  Piscinas Irgas waterfalls, 11 mi. (17 km)
A gentle start to your walking holiday, as setting off directly from your accommodation, you follow an old shepherd’s trails through a granite landscape and lush Mediterranean vegetation. The trail enters Riu Irgas gorge, and leads past crystal clear pools and many little waterfalls. It is like entering a Zen garden! Gradually climbing through the gorge, you reach Piscinas Irgas waterfall, in all its cascading beauty! Returning along a well-marked path, you head back to the accommodation for a relaxing drink and a well-deserved dinner. (5.5 hours walking) (B, L, D)

Overnight: Samassi

Day 3: Muru Mannu - Sibiri, 12 mi. (20 km)
Today you explore the slopes of Mt Lina's range. Starting from the accommodation, the walk starts on a gentle path through Spanish Broom, to then become steeper as you reach Punta Miali, just above the Muru Mannu waterfall. Then, continuing upward, vistas open up on all sides, as you hike pass remote goat and pig farms. Entering the dense oak forest, you will trek on trails that were once used by foresters and hunters. Arriving at your next destination, you will be welcomed by the hospitality of Marco and Paola. (6 hours walking) (B, L, D)

Overnight: Arbus

Day 4: Sibiri - Piscinas sand dunes, 8 mi. (15 km)
Today begins with a short transfer to Bidderdi Pass, from which you enter old mining territory and follow an ancient miner’s trails. You hike an area that reflects the richness of industrial archaeology of this area: the Brassey washery, named after its English owner, the Viscount of Brassey (Pozzo Gal), a well-preserved shaft recently opened as a multi-media museum. Following the valley of mining debris, the landscape will start changing… Mediterranean shrub coated hills will be replaced by high golden sand dunes, finally reaching the coast of Piscinas. A well-deserved rest and then a transfer back to the agriturismo. (5 hours walking) (B, L, D)

Overnight: Fluminimaggiore

Day 5: Sibiri - Fluminimaffiore, 12.5 mi. (20 km)
Starting from the Agriturismo you take the mountain trail close to Mt Linas. This route was once the “smugglers way”, used by cattle thefts to transport their stolen animals down to the coast. The initial climb is gradual, following a tight valley and narrow stream, then walking through mountain pastures and meadows, finally reaching Planucheddu (630 meters) from where you will have a breathtaking 360 degrees view of all the Sulcis Iglesiente range. Giving time to fully absorb the vista and catch your breath, you will embark on a rewarding 10 km descent into the sleepy town of Fluminimaggiore. This is the first time during this trip that you come into a village. After a short coffee break and a quick visit to the interesting wall paintings known as “murales”, the last section of walk is towards the coast, along the fertile Flumini valley, along country lanes, past olive plantations, and vineyards, reaching your next Agriturismo. (6 hours walking) (B, L, D)

Overnight: Fluminimaggiore

Day 6: Rest day
Rest day or short coastal beach stroll of Portixeddu. (B, D)

Overnight: Fluminimaggiore

 Day 7: Fighezia - Cala Domestica coastline, 8 mi. (15 km)
After a short transfer to Buggeru, you follow a goat’s trail through Mediterranean shrub overlooking the coast, leading to the idyllic little sandy cove of Cala Domestica. From here you will follow a well-marked path along the limestone cliffs, overlooking the Mediterranean sea. Towering above the limestone island of Pan di Zucchero, you have views extending as far as the southern islands of St Antioco and San Pietro. Descending to the coast, you arrive at Porto Flavia, from where you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel in Cagliari (4.5 hours walking). A short walk through the old part of Cagliari to admire the Cathedral and the ramparts of “Il Castello”, is a great way to finish before enjoying our last meal in Sardinia. (B, L) 

Overnight: Cagliari

Day 8: Departure

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You will enjoy a range of small 3* hotels or when possible, an agriturismo (small rural guesthouses). The carefully selected hosts will ensure you are greeted with a warm welcome at the end of a day’s trek. We can provide you a list of preferred hotels/agriturismos on request, though final hotel list will be based on availability.