The Cammino Minerario di Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara Mining Path) is a religious and cultural itinerary that spans about 500 km along the southwestern part of Sardinia, in the Sulcis-Iglesiente-Guspinese region. The spiritual journey crosses sea, mountains, and mines, following the glorious mining past of Sardinia. A consistent presence along the path are the churches dedicated to the worship of Saint Barbara, the patron saint of miners.
The itinerary is divided into 30 stages, each about 16 km long, and almost 75% of the journey is on footpaths, mule tracks, dirt roads, and unpaved driveways, while the remaining 25% is on paved roads in urban centers and short rural stretches. The journey starts from the city of Iglesias, and after covering the 500 km path, returns to the same city. The altitude ranges from sea level to an elevation of 900 meters in the Marganai mountain range, and during the journey, there are opportunities to visit the numerous mining sites that have made history in the area.
The stages:
Stage 01 – From Iglesias to Nebida
Stage 02 – From Nebida to Masua
Stage 03 – From Masua to Buggerru
Stage 04 – From Buggerru to Portixeddu
Stage 05 – From Portixeddu to Piscinas
Stage 06 – From Piscinas to Montevecchio
Stage 07 – From Montevecchio to Arbus
Stage 08 – From Arbus to Perd’e Pibera
Stage 09 – From Perd’e Pibera to Villacidro
Stage 10 – From Villacidro to Monti Mannu
Stage 11 – From Monti Mannu to Arenas
Stage 12 – From Arenas to Su Mannau
Stage 13 – From Su Mannau to San Benedetto
Stage 14 – From San Benedetto to Marganai
Stage 15 – From Case Marganai to Domusnovas – Museums
Stage 16 – From Musei to Orbai
Stage 17 – From Orbai to Rosas
Stage 18 – From Rosas to Nuxis
Stage 19 – From Nuxis to Santadi
Stage 20 – From Santadi to Is Zuddas
Stage 21 – From Is Zuddas to Masainas
Stage 22 – From Masainas to Candiani
Stage 23 – From Candiani to Tratalias
Stage 24 – From Tratalias to Sant’Antioco
Stage 25 – From Sant’Antioco to Carbonia
Stage 26 – From Carbonia to Nuraxi Figus
Stage 27 – From Nuraxi Figus to Carloforte
Stage 28 – From Carloforte to Portoscuso
Stage 29 – From Portoscuso to Bacu Abis
Stage 30 – From Bacu Abis to Iglesias
