Ring of Domusnovas – discovering the mines and the cave of San Giovanni

The Tour we propose here crosses an area rich in cliffs and caves of karst origin. It is no coincidence that it is very popular with speleologists, climbers, bikers and hikers - a true paradise for those who love the outdoors. Even if the route does not have technical sections, the difference in altitude and distance require good training to be tackled with serenity.

The Tour begins in the car park before the San Giovanni cave, the protagonist of this itinerary. At 850 metres, it is the longest vehicular cave in the world, unique in its kind in Italy. The cavity, of karst origin, is rich in stalactites and stalagmites. Crossing the cave requires the payment of a ticket even for those on bikes, with dedicated time slots (grottasangiovanni.com).

Alternatively, you can take the path-variant 15 of the Cammino di Santa Barbara, or you can go around Monte Acqua passing through Domusnovas and, at the roundabout for Vallermosa, take the road that leads to the Valle di Oridda and the mines to start the route immediately after exiting the cave of San Giovanni.

Once you emerge on the other side of the cave, you will find a fork; take a left onto the dirt forest road towards Sa Mitza de Predi Giuanni Antoni. From here you begin a circular tour. The route is dotted with ruins of mines, sometimes clearly visible and visitable to take some photos (with caution and avoiding venturing inside them), as well as caves and tunnel entrances, often without fences and unsafe, which we advise against entering.