Santa Barbara Mining Route is a circular cycle route of approximately 500km between sea, mountains and mines in Sulcis-Iglesiente, a beautiful region in the south-west of Sardinia. A fascinating journey, perfect out of season!

It’s a historical, cultural and religious itinerary created several years ago to be traveled on foot, but in 2024 it was also adapted for two wheels. A ring of approximately 500km with 5,200m D+ with departure and arrival from Iglesias, which on the official website is proposed in 9 stages, with the possibility of many variations. You cycle along ancient mining paths in the Historical-Environmental Geomining Park of Sardinia, meeting many testimonies of Sardinia’s thousand-year-old mining history. There is also a constant presence of churches dedicated to the cult of Santa Barbara, the patron saint of miners.

We cycled the route at the end of September, this also allowed us to enjoy the amazing Sardinian sea without the summer confusion and heat. We recommend riding with gravel or MTB bikes, because some sections are a little bit “crispy”.

Below you will find a description of the stages and some travel tips. Before leaving, remember to request the credential from the Cammino Minerario di Santa Barbara Foundation, that is a kind of passport on which you can affix stamps at each stage.

HOW TO GET THERE

From Cagliari Elmas Airport there are direct trains that will take you to Iglesias in less than an hour.

STAGE 1: IGLESIAS/FLUMINIMAGGIORE – 64km/1.040m D+

If you arrive in Iglesias early, consider the possibility of leaving immediately and shortening the stage, stopping to sleep in Nebida (after approximately 20km). Here the panoramic walk (on foot) to the Laveria Lamarmora is very beautiful, a mine right on the sea with a great view of Pan di Zucchero rock. If, however, you cycle the entire stage, remember that the detours to Mausa to visit Porto Flavia Mine and to Cala Domestica for a swim are worth it. In Nebida we slept at the Tanca Piras Village and had dinner next door at Locanda L’Agusteri which has an incredible view. Here you find where to sleep and eat in Fluminimaggiore.

STAGE 2: FLUMINIMAGGIORE/GUSPINI – 56km/1.120m D+

The detour to Piscinas Beach is challenging but a must, not only for the dunes, but also because along the descent you will see many elements of past mining activities: including Pozzo Gal in Ingurtosu and the imposing ruins of the Brassey Washery. If you have time, consider stopping to sleep on Piscinas Beach, as we did years ago. There are both the beautiful Hotel Le Dune di Piscina and Camping Sciopadroxiu. Continuing on the stage however, you will return via the same uphill road, then passing through the mining village of Montevecchio. Once you arrive in Guspini, don’t miss the geological site of the Basalts Columns, right in the center. Overnight stay in the affiliated B&B L’Agrifoglio di Emy.

STAGE 3: GUSPINI/DOMUSNOVAS – 76 km /1.130m D+

Some sections of this stage are perhaps more for MTB, but it can also be done on gravel bike by getting off the bike a few times. After Gonnosfanadiga there is a possible detour to the old Perd’e Pibera Mine, which however is pretty tough (not included in our GPX track). Don’t miss the famous Lavatoio di Villacidro and the San Giovanni Cave, the longest carriageable cave in the world, near Domusnovas. In Domusnovas there are several affiliated accommodations for sleeping.

STAGE 4: DOMUSNOVAS/PISCINAS – 75km /920m D+

Many dirt roads also on this stage: don’t miss former mining villages of Orbai and Rosas. Two small variations allow you to visit the sacred well of Tattinu and the country church of Sant’Elia from the Byzantine era. We then pass by Santadi (visit the Church of San Nicolò) and the Menhir Luxia Arrabiosa (one of the tallest in Sardinia). The Posada of the CMSB Foundation is located in the former Piscinas railway station, which however is currently closed.

STAGE 5: PISCINAS/SANT’ANTIOCO – 65km/280m D+

After 20 easy km you arrive at Porto Pino, where you have to circumnavigate the pond and get to the dunes for a bit of relaxation and a well-deserved swim (there are bars and restaurants). There is another detour to visit the remains of the Second World War defense battery of Candiani, and then off through vineyards and ponds along a very beautiful and varied, sometimes “crunchy” route.  Stop in Tratalias Vecchia to visit the Romanesque church of Santa Maria di Monserrato. The arrival in Sant’Antioco is spectacular because you cycle through the salt pans, but watch out for the headwind. In Sant’Antioco there are many accommodations, but we recommend staying overnight at the MuMA Hostel, which also has a small but interesting sea museum. We had dinner at I due Fratelli restaurant.

STAGE 6: SANT’ANTIOCO/CARBONIA – 57km/300m D+

Easy stage that allows you to spend the morning on the beach: you can choose between Spiaggia Grande or La Salina (our favourite)… the route passes through both. You can then have lunch in Calasetta before leaving for Carbonia (passing through the necropolis of Loccis Santus), where the visit to the Coal Museum of the Great Serbariu Mine is a must (book in advance the guided tour). Overnight stay at the CMSB Foundation Posada and dinner at the nearby K2 Pizzeria, which makes really good and unique pizzas.

STAGE 7: CARBONIA/PORTOSCUSO – 41Km/250m D+

Short stage through the countryside. We recommend not stopping to sleep in Portoscuso, but to take straight away the ferry from Portovesme to Carloforte, to enjoy two nights on beautiful San Pietro Island, like we did. The ferry takes about 40 minutes, timetables here.

STAGE 8: CARLOFORTE – 35km/440m D+

This island made us fall in love. The views, the flamingos, the narrow alleys of Carloforte, and of course the amazing beaches: our favorites are Girin and La Calettina (on the left side of La Caletta, beyond the Le Dune kiosk, where you can also eat). We didn’t cycle it, but the detour towards the lighthouse shouldn’t be missed. We slept at Casa Tonina. We recommend a meal at Sandolo Pescheria Ristorante.

STAGE 9: PORTOSCUSO/IGLESIAS – 35km, 490m D+

Once back by ferry to Portovesme, you pass from Portoscuso, where you can stop at the Tonnara Su Pranu. Along the route you will meet various Nuragic villages, and again many testimonials of the mining activity, such as Seruci Mine, Pozzo Castoldi in Bacu Abis and San Giovanni Mining complex, inside which there is Santa Barbara Cave, which we recommend visiting (you need to book). Here you find where to sleep and eat in Iglesias.