Trekking Mines in the Blue – Masua – Canal Grande – Cala Domestica

1 Day

The Mines in the Blue trekking is a spectacular route in one of the most impressive stretches of the South Sardinia coast. It follows the traces of the ancient miners’ routes starting right from the Masua area to arrive at the beach of Cala Domestica.

The trek overlooks the cliffs on the sea, with splendid views of rocky coves, sea caves and plateaus rich in Mediterranean scrub. The route does not present particular technical difficulties, but requires the ability to move on rough and steep terrain, repaying the effort with breathtaking scenery among the most beautiful in Sardinia.

  • Distance of km. 12
  • Differences in level: uphill 500 m., downhill 675 m.
  • Journey time 5 hours

Itinerary

From Nebida we take a private vehicle towards Masua (10 minute transfer, 5 kilometres) and start the trek towards Cala Domestica.
The route begins near Porto Flavia, an important engineering work of 1924. The first part allows you to gain a large part of the difference in height by aiming for Schiena 'e Monte Nai and passing over the Masua cliff overlooking the sea for about a hundred meters, a jewel for climbers.
Continuing on the path, a view of the Pan di Zucchero stack opens up, the largest stack in Europe with a height of 130 meters. The view ranges from Porto Paglia to Masua, offering beautiful views of the sea with green-blue reflections. The route often approaches the cliffs and some particularly panoramic points can be reached.
Once you have also passed Punta Buccione, you begin to glimpse the Port of the Canal Grande, an old mining dock, until you arrive right near the cliffs that delimit the south side. Now going downhill you reach the actual Canal Grande, and you soon reach the sea, where you can rest on the small beach and enjoy the view of the Grotta delle Spigole, a long tunnel crossed by the sea which often offers truly unique plays of light. After a restorative break, the route is resumed with two alternatives: the simplest route through a dirt road towards the North which leads easily above Porto Sciusciau or you immediately climb up a very steep and panoramic path and continue walking along the coast, of extraordinary views of the jagged coast that precedes the arrival in Porto Sciusciau, a variant suitable for those who have no difficulty on uneven and very steep terrain.
Arrived in both cases in Porto Sciusciau, from its cliffs about a hundred meters high. Continuing we pass under a bridge of the old railway line (1904) which connected the mines of Gutturu Cardaxiu with the sea and we reach Cala Domestica with its fine sand and crystalline sea. Now you can rest, take a well-deserved swim and visit the Spanish Tower (from the end of the 18th century) and the cove, a small beach that can be reached via a tunnel. Return to Nebida by private vehicle (20 minute transfer, 14 kilometres).

Cost

Cost includes:

  • English-speaking professional hiking guide
  • Complete and customizable organization
  • Help on Logistic and accommodation booking
  • External visit to the main attractions

Cost excludes:

  • Food and drinks, unless specified
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off (to be agreed)
  • The transfer: by private car or minibus (to be agreed)

Trip Facts

  • from 25€ (10 people)
  • 250€
  • by car or minivan (excluded)
  • medium
  • hiking