Quite a long stage, medium altitude, very smooth.
We enter the Gerrei region and enjoy the wide views from the Bruncu Senz ridge.
This stage should be avoided in the central summer months.
No water points, bring a good supply.
We leave Burcei and take an ascending road (about 300 m height difference) with some ups and downs and good panoramic views. When we reach Arcu Simeoni, we enjoy the view of the Gulf of Cagliari, then we turn north; the landscape changes, all around are bare hills and we continue our walk comfortably, keeping Punta Serpeddi with its antennas on our right. We gradually lose altitude (about 300 m drop) until we come to a sheepfold situated by a dry stream.
We start climbing again (about 200 m height difference) on a wide mule track with some small cracks until we reach Bruncu Senzu, from where there is a splendid view of the Sette Fratelli.
After an easy descent (about 100 m drop), we change to a path and climb up (about 200 m height difference) to Monte Genis (979 m) over some beautiful rocky outcrops. We begin the descent (about 950 m drop); after a stretch of woodland, we return to the road and continue alongside the asphalt road; at a bend in the road, where we find a fallen tree with a marker, we take the path again, then descend into a holm oak wood and with a steep descent until we reach the Su Niu e s'Achili farmhouse.
The agritourism Su Niu e S'Achili (in Italian “the eagle’s nest”) is located in the municipality of San Nicolò Gerrei, in the Gerrei sub-region of which it is the main town. Some trace the origin of the name Gerrei to “giarra”, the alluvial gravel. The area of Gerrei, which corresponds to the middle reaches of the river Flumendosa, was called Galilla until the 16th century, after the ancient people of the Galillenses, who left this land in 69 AD. - as testified by the bronze inscription on the tablet of Esterzili.
In the Sardinian language, the determiners derive from the Latin ipse/ipsu(m) and become su/sa for the singular and sos/sas for the plural; the form is also widely used.
Scattered throughout the region are the Tombs of Giants, tumbas de sos mannos in Sardinian. These are tombs in which the dead were buried in a central body up to thirty metres long in the shape of an upturned boat.
These tombs were mainly built in the period between the Old Bronze Age and the Final Bronze Age (1800-1100 BC) and, together with the nuraghi and the sacred wells, are considered the most important architectural heritage of the Nuragic civilisation. The semi-circular entrance is made of large stone blocks and in some a huge stele has been found in the centre of the semi-circle. The Tombs of the Giants owe their name to the myth that has developed over the centuries, according to which these huge monuments were the tombs of giant creatures.
In the parish of San Nicolò Gerrei are the holy wells of Su Musuelu and Is Molineddus.
The sacred well or spring is a Nuragic structure associated with the cult of water. There are different types of sacred wells, in particular: wells (dug chambers lined with stone that allowed the collection of groundwater), sacred wells (chambers that collected spring water) and circular buildings where water-related rituals were celebrated.
A typical Sardinian dessert is Papassini (papassinu or passina).
It is a shortbread cake enriched with sultanas, almonds and honey. There are various recipes in the region, especially for the use of spices such as cinnamon and vanilla and candied citrus peel. The traditional diamond-shaped cake is characterised by a white icing covered with colourful sugar sprinkles.
It is particularly popular in the southern region (fennel seeds are added in the north) and is typical of All Saints’ Day.
Agriturismo Su Niu e s'Achili. Tel. +39070 950316
The starting point is accessible by car.
The starting point can be reached by bus, starting from the city of Cagliari.
Here is the LINK to check the timetable.
The starting point is NOT accessible 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!
