A very long stage with great differences in altitude, but absolutely spectacular: the Supramonte di Oliena offers incredible rocky landscapes that crystallise on the summit of Monte Corrasi (1,463 m).
A stage to avoid in the middle summer months.
The stage is smooth but very long: the less trained would do well to break it off at Sa Sinepida (about 9 km from the start), where you can rest in a spartan bivouac equipped with tables and benches.
In the ridge sections, the track on the ground is sometimes not very clear and you have to sharpen your eyes to spot the little cairns that point the way.
Water points are concentrated in the first part of the stage (there are none from Sa Sinepida onwards): take a good supply with you.
From the Montes barracks, we walk backwards along the last stretch of the previous stage, climbing up through the holm-oak forest (about 150 m height difference) until we reach the base of Monte Fumai. We then continue on a falsopiano path to climb, soon turning onto a dirt road that takes us to the slopes of Monte Novo San Giovanni (1,316 m). After circumventing the large rock face from the west, we continue along the dirt road until we come to a well-marked path that runs between Monte Nieddu (1,120 m) and Monte Su Biu (1,163 m), after which we return to the cart road and, in the shade of the forest, descend (about 150 m drop) along wide hairpin bends until we ford the Riu Badde Tareddu; shortly afterwards we reach the Sa Sinepida fountain, located near a shepherds' bivouac (su pinnettu), equipped with benches, tables and a fireplace.
From there we continue along the carriage road and shortly afterwards take the path to the left, which climbs (about 450 m height difference) with a fairly steep gradient, interspersed with a short stretch of carriage road. We finally reach the crest of Bruncu Sos Cuzos, with an impressive overhang on our left; we proceed with ease, looking for cairns on the ground and enjoying the extreme panorama of the stretch, on the up-and-down crest that ends with the Fruncu Lollove peak (1,391 m). We then start to descend (350 m drop) through a beautiful holm oak forest (in this section the cairns are truly amazing, almost works of art).
We begin a new, long ascent (about 400 m height difference), in alternating phases, all fortunately in the shade until we reach the Scala 'e Marras summit, after which the path passes over rocky ground and becomes less evident. On reaching the summit of Monte Corrasi (1,463 m), we enjoy an incredible 360° panorama, wide-open over the entire Oliena Supramonte. After leaving the summit, it is all downhill (about 700 m drop). After the panoramic pass of Scala 'e Pradu, we switch to a carriage road and, after about 1 km, take the path to the left that leads us through the woods to the Hotel Monte Maccione, where we conclude this fabulous stage.
Mount Maccione is part of the Supramonte massif, a huge mountain complex consisting of carbonate plateaus. The calcareous-dolomitic rocks have been carved out over thousands of years by rivers that have created spectacular gorges - most notably the Gorropu Gorge.
In contrast to the higher Gennargentu, the Supramonte is a very ancient massif; its highest peak is Monte Corrasi at 1,463 metres. This massif, characterised by the brightness of the living rock (hence these mountains are also called the “Sardinian Dolomites”), is mainly characterised by holm oak, yew, juniper and holly forests.
The Supramonte was once a land of bandits who sought refuge in the numerous caves in the area. Particularly noteworthy is Giovanni Corbeddu, who in the 19th century hid in a spectacular cave that today bears his name.
The singer-songwriter Fabrizio De Andrè titled the song “Hotel Supramonte”, in which he evokes the captivity of about four months after he and his wife Dori Ghezzi were kidnapped by Sardinian bandits in 1979 - but it seems that the place where he was held captive was not Supramonte.
In Oliena, the feast of San Lussorio is celebrated on 21 August, a religious tradition with costume parades, music and traditional dances.
Near Mamoiada is the Museo delle Maschere Mediterranee (Museum of Mediterranean Masks). In this museum you can see the spectacular masks of the Mamuthones and other masks characterised by three elements: skins, cowbells and masks.
During the now famous Mamoiada Carnival, the Issohadores and the dancing Mamuthones parade through the streets of the village. The sound of the cowbells they carry on their backs creates an extraordinary atmosphere, like a primaeval rite (the origin of this tradition is obscure). The famous wooden masks, true masterpieces of craftsmanship, have also become famous on the continent thanks to singer-songwriter Vinicio Capossela.
For more information on times and tickets, visit LINK.
Oliena is an area with a strong winemaking tradition; among the Cannonau wines produced in this area is Oliena’s Nepente. It is a Cannonau grown mainly with bush vines and is characterised by spicy nuances.
The wine became famous at the beginning of the century through the appreciation of Gabriele D’Annunzio, to whom, in addition to numerous poetic eulogies, we owe the name “nepente” (no sadness), a name that comes from Greek literature: in the Odyssey, it is the drink that Helen of Troy keeps for her husband Menelaus.
Rifugio ENIS Monte Maccione, in Monte Maccione. Tel. +390784 288363
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 Orgosolo, starting from the city of Nuoro.
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!
