Da Gutturu Melfi a Si Barracconi (D-327)
The pathway
Roadbook
The trail starts from the tarmacked road that leads from the wide valley of Sa Duchessa and Barraxiutta to the former agritourism of Perda Niedda, just upstream of the huge tailing dumps from the Barraxiutta mine. Although these mine tailings are highly toxic, they are very slowly being recolonised, also by some endemic species, including Iberis integerrima, a rare species endemic to southern Sardinia.
The trail immediately begins to climb steeply up a fine mule track through the woods, rutted by bicycle wheels. The mule track keeps to the hydrographic left of the Riu Sa Duchessa, then its tributary known as Canali de S'Ega 'e Urri. At about 510 metres a.s.l., the mule track edges considerably closer to the road, which would be easily accessible via some side shortcuts.
You cross a stretch of scrub, coming out of the woods still heading slightly uphill before another section under cover, as the slope eases slightly and some crooks in the path offer splendid views over the area of Marganai. You come to the branch-off for trail 327A on your left which would take you back to Sa Duchessa. At Su Crabiolu, near the ford over the river of the same name, you come across the branch-off for trail 327B which, with a short climb, would lead to the agritourism of Perda Niedda.
The going underfoot is rough and uneven and you proceed, out of the woods, with splendid views over Punta San Michele, Campu Spina, the mountains of Marganai and the distant plain of Cixerri. The mule track is ravaged by floods and passes by some spectacular reddish rocks. Occasionally you cut through some strawberry trees, where you can spot the charcoal-making sites that are dotted all over the area. At Sa Tellura the slope ends and you return to the forest, quickly reaching the clearing of Su Barracconi where you come to several dirt tracks and the route ends. Taking a right here, you would easily reach trails 330, 330A and 332 along the dirt road.
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