SloWays • Sardinia west coastal walk

When you first got here, in the region of Sardinia called Sulcis-Iglesiente you immediately feel why it is also known as Costa Verde (The Green Coast): this place is remote, wild and has an industrial-mines past that forged the landscape and the people. This past of mineral extraction (started 8.000 years ago) creates a unique combination of abandoned mine sites together with the natural beauty of the area and stimulates the curiosity of
whom come to this area for the first time, that feeling of “here there’s a story to be told”. In 2007, this mining area (circa 3.800 km2) was added to the Geoparks list of UNESCO. The more you walk towards the south the more you get to know the Sardinian people, very helpful, welcoming and smiling (sometimes with a sardonic laughter! Some people say comes from their way of laughing to the various invaders they had for centuries...)

The Sulcis region is famous (in the world of wines) for the Carignano, a red grape that can live with almost no water and is no more than a foot high from the ground, because the strong winds don’t allow it to grow higher; almost every family still have a little vineyard to produce the Carignano del Sulcis and after a sip you know why they still make it!

The island of Sant’Antioco makes the perfect final stop for this trip: besides walking through stunning views and ancient watchtowers, you will have the chance to discover the many souls of this island with a range of optional activities such as fishing boat trips & horse riding.

Route

Day 1: Arrive in Buggerru

Day 2: From Buggerru to Portixeddu, 13 km

Day 3: From Ingurtosu to Scivu, 14,5 km

Day 4: Capo Pecora loop walk, 15 km

Day 5: From Portopaglia to Portoscuso, 14 km

Day 6: Carloforte loop walk, 12 km

Day 7: Sant’Antioco walk via Torre Cannai, 16,5 km

Day 8: Arrivederci Sardegna!

Day 1: Arrive in Buggerru

Your trip starts in the small village of Buggerru, a village that was founded in 1864 as mine settlement. After check-in at the hotel, take your time to visit the small town, you can relax by the beach or you can visit the “Henry Tunnel” an old mining site, a labyrinth carved into the rock that opens onto sheer views of the sea and rocky coastline.

Day 2: From Buggerru to Portixeddu, 13 km

Today a very nice coastal walk is awaiting you. From Buggerru you start climbing along a secondary asphalt road overlooking the superb coast and the long beach of Portixeddu (this uphill section can be avoided by organizing a private transfer). After 5km / 3 mi of gradual ascent the route starts its descent into the gorge towards the dunes and artificial pine forest planted to prevent the sand to cover the main street and only access to the town. Along the last section you will walk through some military fortresses of the second world war. After a scrumptious lunch in Portixeddu you can take the bus to go back to Buggerru.

Distance: 13 km

Elevation gain: +607/-617 m

Day 3: From Ingurtosu to Scivu, 14,5 km

After breakfast a transfer (about 30 minutes) will lead you to the nearly-abandoned village of Ingurtosu from where you will start your walk towards the ruins of the ancient “Laveria Brassey” mine site. At some point today you may feel close to Charles Darwin when he arrived at the Galapagos in the 1830s. The dunes of Piscinas are the most extended desert area in Europe. For about 6km there is just you, the sea, the sand and the wind! At the end of the day a short transfer will take you to the agriturismo where you are going to spend the next two nights.

Distance: 14,5 km

Elevation gain: +50/-280 m

Day 4: Capo Pecora loop walk, 15 km

Today you are going back to the sea (Scivu beach) then you take a footpath inside the Mediterranean macchia, leading you to a stunning panoramic view point on Capo Pecora granite promontory. Don’t miss to take some unforgettable pictures of what it is a unmissable highlight of your trip! You will then proceed to walk on to reach the tiny village of Portixeddu, notorious among surfers for its famous beach of Portixeddu. A short transfer will drive you back to the agriturismo.

Distance: 15 km

Elevation gain: +431/-559 m

Day 5: From Portopaglia to Portoscuso, 14 km

Morning transfer (1 hour) to the tonnara of Porto Paglia, the starting point of today’s walk. Even if this is a marked footpath (red/white signs) it is on a very wild and remote coastline. You follow a sandy footpath with stunning views of the cliffs. Today’s walk is not suitable for people who suffers from “vertigo”, since there are a couple of section with no railing close to the cliff’s edge.

Distance: 14 km

Elevation gain: +379/-386 m

Day 6: Carloforte loop walk, 12 km

Today you take the ferries to Carloforte where start a round walk, climbing on secondary asphalt road towards the north side of the Island, where at the end of May they start the so-called Mattanza, a system of nets that for about 45 days capture the tuna fish. Back in Carloforte take a ferries to Calasetta then a private transfer to Sant’Antioco.

Distance: 12 km

Elevation gain: +379/-379 m

Day 7: Sant’Antioco walk via Torre Cannai, 16,5 km

Today’s a private transfer takes you to Capo Sperone, then you walk back to S.Antioco, passing by the watchtower Torre Cannai and the beach of Maladroxia (popular spot when the maestrale wind blows). The last part to town is on asphalt road

Distance: 16,5 km

Elevation gain: +439/-381 m

Day 8: Arrivederci Sardegna!

The trip and our services end after breakfast and depart for the airport with public transport unless you have pre-booked a private transfer with us.

accommodation

Buggerru: Hotel '904

Located in Buggerru, Hotel '904 provides air-conditioned, full-equiped rooms. Providing a shared lounge, the property is located within a 6-minute walk of Spiaggia di Buggerru. Guests at the hotel can enjoy a continental or a buffet breakfast.

www.hotel904buggerru.com

Agriturismo Majori

Majori is the ideal place forthose looking for a farm that follows the real passing of the seasons. A green tourism that puts the concepts of sustainability and quality of life at the center of its mission. An uncontaminated placesuitable for those who want to experience a stay of relaxation and tranquility, or organize excursions and trips by Mountain Bike or motorbike, or even for those who want to take a trip to discover the traditions and history of Sardinia.

https://www.majori.it/

Portoscuso: Hotel Don Pedro

The Don Pedro is a 3 star hotel located in front of the Portoscuso marina. Portoscuso is a small coastal town in South-Western Sardinia, in the Sulcis Iglesiente area. Connected to the Marina and only 100 meters from the small beach of Sa Caletta, the Don Pedro Hotel is the perfect starting point to discover Southern Sardinia.

www.hotel-donpedro.com

Sant'Antioco: B&B Il Sentiero B&Bio

This B&B is near the sea in an area surrounded by peaceful countryside, in an area of great archaeological and architectural merit, in a quiet, panoramic setting, in the old city centre. "Il Sentiero B&Bio" has a hospitable and comfortable atmosphere.

www.bed-and-breakfast.it/il-sentiero-bbio-sant-antioco

practical info

You can find more information in the "accommodation" section: we always select your accommodation for their character and comfort. You will always be booked in a private, en-suite room, with breakfast included.

Luggage transfer (max. 20 kg) from one hotel to the hotel is included in the price.

Arrival in Buggeru

From Cagliari take the train to Iglesias about 50-60 minutes ride (direct trains or with 1 change); from there you can take daily public busses to Buggerru via Fluminimaggiore (see www.arstspa.info). From Sant’Antioco, where the trip ends, you can take a bus to the city of Carbonia (see www.arstspa.info) and then a train from Carbonia to Cagliari Airport , about 1 hour ride (there are direct trains but 1 or 2 changes are possible, depending on trains)

Departure from Sant’Antioco

You can take a bus to Carbonia and then a train from Carbonia to Cagliari Airport

Thanks to our special APP, you will be able to follow the track of the whole trip on your mobile phone, with no need for internet. GPS tracks are available on request.

Included

What is included

7 Nights in double room in **/*** hotels , B&B and agriturismi with breakfast
luggage transportation from hotel to hotel
transfer previsti dal programma
maps and detailed description of the itinerary
Medical and luggage travel insurance
24h phone assistance

What is not included

Transfers to the starting location and from the arriving location of the tour
lunches and dinners, if not otherwise stated
visits and entrance fees - tips
personal expense
possible sojourn taxes
everything that is not mentioned in the "What is included" section.

Optional Services

These services can be added to the ones included in the base price of the tour:

Single room supplement
cancellation insurance
Transfers to reach the starting location or to leave the arriving location of the tour, which will be quoted on request.