A very smooth, transitional stage, all on an excellent track: we enter Gallura!
A stage you should avoid in the middle summer months.
The crossing of the Riu Altana is by sight, there is no defined route: however, it remains quite easy (except at high water).
Lack of water points.
We leave the forestry barracks and climb (about 300 m height difference) on an excellent carriage road, along wide hairpin bends, passing a small artificial lake. We reach the southern shoulder of Punta Prammas (of which we do not reach the summit) and we lose altitude (about 200 m drop) to the saddle of Ianna de Tandaule, from where we enjoy a beautiful panorama to the east, over Monte Tepilora and the sea. We climb again (about 200 m height difference), on a carriage road (paved in places); at the end of the ascent, we take a wide path to the right and descend (with a final up and down) to the Riu Altana, which we ford by relying on intuition.
Having crossed the torrent, we take a carriage road and slowly gain height (about 150 m height difference), walking quickly between old dry stone walls; the road finally becomes asphalted and, having crossed the state road, we reach the village of Alà dei Sardi with a final climb.
Alà dei Sardi is located in the historical region of Monteacuto, an administrative unit from the Spanish period that was grouped around the town of Ozieri. Today it lies between the provinces of Sassari and Olbia-Tempio and its boundaries have been lost in the new administrative structure. In the territory of Montacuto there are some linguistic islands with Sardinian-Corsican dialect.
The name Alà dei Sardi seems to date back to Roman times, when part of the Roman army (alà was the name of the cavalry unit) decided to settle here. Others claim that the name is linked to the Iliensi people, also called Alaenses.
Two curious records characterise the municipality of Alà dei Sardi: zero unemployment (with the Italian record for the number of businesses here dedicated mainly to granite processing) and the lowest number of university graduates on the entire island.
The Alesi family has excelled in sporting disciplines at national and international level thanks to the founding of Sport Atletica S.S. Alasport in the 1970s (the marcher Alberto Contu is Alese). Since 1973, the Trofeo Alasport, a cross-country skiing competition of international importance, has been held here. Alà dei Sardi was also included in the World Rally Championship (WRC) as Rally d'Italia-Sardegna.
In the municipality of Alà dei Sardi is the Nuragic complex of Sos Nurattolos. It consists of four buildings (a sacred spring, a small megaron temple and two huts) dating from around the 2nd millennium BC.
The sacred spring, distinguished by its tholos shape, is the site of the round fountain where pilgrims purified themselves. A path led to the temple, which was located in a round hut where pilgrims could talk to the priests. Outside the temple, an elliptical wall probably served as an enclosure for sacrificial animals.
The most famous Sardinian dish is porceddu (or porcetto or porcheddu): not just a dish, but a cultural symbol of a moment of sharing that acts like a ritual.
It is a suckling pig of the Sardinian breed, whose age and weight vary from region to region, cooked on a spit after being cleaned inside and out. With its tender and succulent meat, it stands out for its crispy rind and exceptional flavour. The perfect cooking is an art that is passed down from generation to generation, with not much added other than the aroma of the myrtle leaves on which the meat is placed on the serving plate.
Some trace this tradition back to Spanish times, but pig farming in Sardinia dates back to the sixth millennium BC. It was the dish that Sardinian shepherds ate on important days like Easter.
B&B San Lorenzo, in Alà dei Sardi. Tel. +39349 261 7287
Bed & Breakfast da Gigi, in Alà dei Sardi. Tel. +39377 264 5374
The starting point is reachable by car.
The starting point is NOT reachable by bus.
The nearest location that can be reached by bus is Alà dei Sardi, starting from the city of Olbia.
Here is the LINK to check the timetables.
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!
