Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.
The walk
From the car park in the Valle di Lanaittu, the walk goes up the valley to Su Ruvagliu and climbs path 410, an old charcoal burners' path, steeply up the slopes of Monte Tiscali to a gap in the rock. Beyond it lies the great sinkhole that hides the nuragic village of Tiscali, with the remains of some 70 dwellings in two groups. Return the same way.
It is 4.9 km there and back with 350 m of ascent; allow about 2½ hours. The grade is Easy: short, but steep, stony and rough.
The village was lived in from about the 15th to the 8th century BC and again in Roman times, and was found in the early 20th century. Entry to the archaeological area costs €6 (reduced €3), in cash only, as there is no card signal. It is open from 9:00 to 17:00 from October to April and to 19:00 from May to September, so start early in autumn. The Lanaittu road floods where it crosses the Sa Oche river, and the commune of Oliena closes it when the region issues a red weather alert.
The valley is reached from Oliena over the Cedrino; the last part of the road is unsurfaced. Nearby are the sacred spring of Sa Sedda 'e sos Carros and the caves of Sa Oche and Su Bentu.
Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.
Good to know
- A nuragic village hidden inside a collapsed limestone sinkhole on Monte Tiscali
- Lived in from the 15th to the 8th century BC and again in Roman times
- Up the old charcoal burners' path from the Lanaittu valley
- The archaeological site is paid, in cash, at the entrance
Getting there
Start: Valle di Lanaittu car park. 40.24951, 9.49122
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Sardinia: Booking.com → Expedia →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line and figures come from OpenStreetMap and our own checks; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.
