A short stage with a few asphalt sections and a view of Corsica.
We are approaching the sea, the air smells salty...
A stage to avoid in the height of summer.
No water points, bring a good supply.
From Agriturismo Lu Furracu, we go through low scrub and granite stones that make the stage more pleasant. After leaving this short technical passage behind, we continue along the path (making sure to find the markings, which are on wooden posts) and descend to a paved road, which we take to the right on a levelled surface. Shortly after, we take a dirt road that climbs slowly until we enter a private property (where we can ask for water if needed), marked by a large Buddha head on a large stone; we then turn right and descend to the bottom of the valley before climbing one last time and returning to asphalt; enjoying the view of the north coast (we admire the islands of Spargi and Maddalena, Corsica...), we reach the Saltara Agriturismo.
In the Middle Ages, north-eastern Sardinia was ruled by the Giudicato of Gallura, which bordered the Giudicato of Torres and Arborea to the west and the Giudicato of Cagliari to the south.
The seat of the Giudice (iudike) and the Corona de Logu (the deliberative council) was Civita, a city built on the Roman ruins of Olbia. Near Saltara, the castles of Baldu and Balaiana were two important residences of the Giudicato.
The territory of the Giudicato di Gallura was divided into two dioceses, that of Civita and that of Galtellì, both under the diocese of Pisa. The last leader of the Giudicato di Gallura was the Pisan Nino Visconti, a friend of Dante and also known as Nino di Gallura, in 1296.
Between the beaches of Palau and Costa Serena lies the Batteria Militare Talmone, built to protect the inlet that separates Sardinia from the small island of Spargi.
The battery, managed by the Fondo Ambiente Italiano since 2002, was named after the son of Turin’s first industrial chocolatier. The outpost is located in a picturesque setting surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation - juniper, myrtle and laurel. Here the soldiers stood ready to attack enemies who tried to approach the island.
The structure consists of several well-preserved rooms after the restoration begun in 2006, including a large dormitory where soldiers slept in hammocks densely arranged next to each other.
At the end of a meal, Mirto is not to be missed, a popular liqueur that is widely used in Sardinia. There are different versions - the white one and the more classic red one. The liqueur is still made at home by many families and consumed both as a digestif and as a condiment for game. It is also widely used in Corsica: some believe it was introduced by some Gallurian bandits who sought refuge on the French island.
In ancient times, myrtle was the plant sacred to Venus: as soon as she was born, the goddess found refuge in a myrtle grove. The plant can grow up to three metres high and has a reddish bark; the black or bluish berries resemble those of the blueberry.
Agriturismo Saltara, in Saltara. Tel. +39339 132 6713
Agriturismo Sardo Da Paolina, in Saltara. Tel. +39320 089 9371
The starting point is reachable by car.
The starting point is NOT reachable by bus.
The starting point is NOT reachable by train.
Va' Sentiero is a grassroot project, thanks to the spontaneous contribution oft housands of people.
Even the most complicated dream, a 7,000km uphill dream,
can be achieved... together.
Grazie!
