Cammino Minerario di Santa Barbara

In short: Cammino Minerario di Santa Barbara: from Iglesias to Iglesias (circular route). Length: around 500 km, duration: about 30 stages. Best time: Spring and autumn.

Overview

The circular route starts and ends in Iglesias in south-west Sardinia. It follows the old paths of the miners and links disused mines, churches and stretches of coast. St Barbara is the patron saint of miners.

Around 30 stages are usual. Some days are long and stony, and the stage from Iglesias to Nebida measures around 21 kilometres.

Older sources give other lengths and stage counts. Check the details from the foundation that looks after the route before you set off.

Planning your stages

How long you need depends on your daily distance. The table works this out for 500 kilometres, with one rest day a week.

Who is this route for?

This route is a poor choice for a first attempt. You should be sure-footed and have stamina, and several weeks of training will pay off here.

What does the route cost?

With an albergue or simple guesthouse and one hot meal, 60 to 80 euros a day is usually enough. Over about 29 days that comes to roughly 1,750 to 2,300 euros, plus travel and gear. This is a guide figure.

You can find more routes under Pilgrimage routes in Europe, Pilgrimage in Italy, sorted by religion under Christian pilgrimage routes.