Page Type:
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Route |
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Lat/Lon:
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40.56716°N / 9.64639°E |
Season:
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Spring, Fall |
Time Required:
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Half a day |
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Difficulty:
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EE |
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Overview
Punta Cupetti e Punta Su Pizzu crossing
Monte Albo is an elongated limestone massif with a dolomitic appearance, characteristic for the white color of its rock, which extends for approximately 17 km in a NE-SW direction, between the villages of Lula and Siniscola. From the highest peaks of the massif, such as Punta Catirina and Turuddò (both 1127 metres high), and also from Punta Cupetti (1029 m) you dominate the landscape of the Baronie and northern Barbagia, the Tirrenian sea of the Eastern coast up to the island of Tavolara. Punta Su Pizzu is a minor but worthy peak that can be reached with a very short digression along the climb to Punta Cupetti. The ascent to these two peaks is an excursion with moderate altitude difference but an intense experience for the breathtaking views and secrets that this place contains, rich in testimonies of past life in what remains of the "cuiles anticos" (ancient sheepfolds).
Getting There
From Siniscola take the S.P. 3 to Lode'/Località Sant'Anna and reach the locality S'Ulidone, where you leave your car.
Route Description
Punta Su Pizzu and Punta Cupetti crossing
Difficulty: EE
Difference in level: 250 m
Starting point: locality S'Ulidone parking lot
A fine and worthwhile itinerary, leading to a couple of panoramic summits
From the car park continue on foot on the dirt road until the Forest Authority gate. After passing the gate, the path called "S'Iscala e su Tassu" begins immediately on the right to reach Punta Cupetti. Nearby there is also the source of Su Tassu, so named due to the presence of a specimen of yew tree. The route is uphill but not too steep and it's extremely characteristic with the typical karst environment.
The path will take us at first to Punta Pizzu on the East side of the mountain and then to Punta Cupetti on the opposite side. To get to the crossroads between these two peaks, as told, we will have to overcome the "S'Iscala e su Tassu" path with the staircase which facilitates the climb towards the Sas Vinizolas plateau.
Once out on the karst plateau you reach the crossroads, where Punta Su Pizzu is on the left and Punta Cupetti is far on the right. We start with the left aiming for the summit with the clearly visible cross at the top, Punta Su Pizzu 980 m. From here the view is incredible over the entire North-East coast.
You retrace your steps and cross the plateau in a South-West direction, reaching a magnificent sheepfold at the base of the final climb towards Punta Cupetti.
A final uphill stretch takes us to the magnificent summit of Punta Cupetti 1029 m. From the top you can admire again the Eastern coast of Sardinia, from Tavolara to Capo di Monte Santo in the Baunei area, and to the West the wild mountains of Buddusò, Alà and Pattada.
Downhill we will travel along the beautiful terrain of S'Iscala Entosa, equally wild and panoramic. You reach Funtana S'Adde downhill and following the road SP 3 in a Northerly direction for a while you return to the starting car park.
Essential Gear
Normal hiking equipment and clothing
Red tape
No fees no permits required
Nature
From the karst fields of Punta Cupetti, on clear days you can observe the island of Tavolara, the artificial lake of Posada, the Tyrrenian sea and the town of Siniscola. On the plateau there are ancient sheepfolds and "Su Pinnatu", a traditional home of Sardinian shepherds. On the limestone walls you can see various endemic rock plants including, very rare in Sardinia, Saxifraga lingulata subsp. australis. Among the various species of animals you can observe the common raven and the red-billed chough which nests on Monte Albo.
When to climb
The best season are Spring and Fall.
Accomodation
B&B and hotels in Siniscola and Lula
Meteo
Guidebooks and maps
- Sardegna - Maurizio Oviglia Guida dei Monti d'Italia Club Alpino Italiano - Touring Club Italiano 1997