A medium-length, flowing stage, almost exclusively on a forest path, marked by the first typical rock formations of Gallura and the Nuragic settlement (with a great view!) Nos Nurattolos.
A stage you should avoid in the middle summer months.
On the stretch between Punta Nuratolu and the forest road downstream, there is neither a visible path on the ground nor signposts: you must rely on your intuition (you follow the course of a dry stream) and observe the GPS track.
Water points are not available until you arrive, take a good supply with you.
We leave the centre of Alà dei Sardi and begin the slow ascent (about 300 m height difference), almost entirely on asphalt, entering a very fascinating environment, with rock formations of the most imaginative shapes scattered all around us, along with a few wind turbines. After a slight ascent and descent, we come to a large car park; from there we continue along a path, arriving in a very short time at the Nuragic settlement of Nos Nurattolos, with magnificent views.
Shortly afterwards, we descend to the summit of Punta Nuratolu (1,045 m) and start to descend (about 350 m drop) along the bed of a dry stream, on an almost non-existent track, until we intercept the forest road below, which we follow to the left. After a slight ascent (about 100 m drop), we slowly lose the same difference in altitude and, passing a metal gate, finally reach the beautiful Bolostiu barracks.
In Sardinia there is a military corps that belongs to the Carabinieri and is unique in Italy: the Barracelli. These are citizen guards, vigilantes, that date back to the Spanish period and are useful for better control of the territory.
The name comes from the Spanish barrachel, which meant an armed rural guard. The first evidence of their presence dates back to the 16th century, but similar figures are attested as early as the 12th century, during the period of justice - especially in the areas of Alghero and Sassari.
The role of the barracelli was to guard and protect the agricultural areas, preventing crimes such as trespassing and cattle theft. But they also had a kind of political function, being on the front line in trying to prevent and settle disputes between landowners and herdsmen. Under the Kingdom of Italy, the corps was disbanded in the 19th century and only officially re-established in 1988. Today it has administrative police, judicial police and public security functions.
The ancient history of Sardinia is marked by the presence of the Phoenicians.
The first settled peacefully around the year 1000 BC. The great age of the Phoenicians, which began with astronomical navigation (i.e. using the stars), led the people of the Middle East to expand trade throughout the Mediterranean. Driven out of what is now Lebanon by pressure from the Assyrians, the Phoenicians established numerous settlements, mainly markets and emporiums, along the Sardinian coast. As time passed and trade with the Nuragic civilisations flourished, the Phoenician families became intertwined with the Sardinian people, with whom they lived peacefully for several centuries. A valuable testimony of this period is the Stele of Nora (9th century BC), on which appears the word of Semitic origin, i.e. without vowels, SRDN, today’s Sardinia.
With the rise of Carthage, which began in the 6th and 5th centuries BC, the Punic cities on Sardinian soil were transformed from autonomous city-states into city-states closely linked to the motherland; and they waged war with the native population, mainly for the exploitation of the island’s mineral resources.
Near state road 389 in the municipality of Alà dei Sardi is the high mountain settlement of Sa Punta 'e su Forru, where numerous structures from the Ozieri Culture - a pre-Nuragic period dating back to the Early and Middle Neolithic - have been found. There are about 32 underground burial chambers, also called domus de janas, which are part of the extensive necropolis of S’Adde Asile and Mesu 'e Montes, as well as Giorrè.
The underground sites were used as shelters by local shepherds over the centuries. In addition to the underground sites, there are the so-called “protonuraghi”, also called “nuraghi a corridoi”, around which two villages stood. This place was probably a kind of sanctuary village.
The quintessential Sardinian bread is pane Carasau, also known as “carta musica” for its crispy, thin texture. This long-lasting bread was perfect for shepherds who were away from home for long periods. It is made from a durum wheat dough which, after rising, is cut into slices and quickly baked in the oven (most bakeries now use special machines) until the slice swells and separates two layers of dough. The two sides that form the bread ball are cut off, creating two slices (sos duos pizos) of what is called pane lentu, which undergo a new pass in the oven where the baking takes place (the verb carasare is used for this process), creating the bread carasatu, of which there are several variants - the most common is Guttiau, it is seasoned with oil and salt.
Caserma forestale F. Bolostiu, in the locality of Gianna Sa Curria (it is a forestry barracks and you must phone to request overnight accommodation). Tel. +39320 433 1262
The starting point is accessible by car.
The starting point can be reached by bus, starting from the city of Olbia.
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!
