SP1 - Forresta Gutturu Mannu

To the west of Cagliari lies the Forresta Gutturu Mannu-Tiriccu Nature Park, one of the largest contiguous forest areas in Sardinia. Between 700 and 1,000 meters above sea level, you will find an immensely dense stand of holm oaks and cork oaks. 35,000 hectares of incomparable nature make it the perfect place for hiking. And - you've probably already guessed - for off-road driving. Not necessarily on remote backcountry tracks, but on one of the first roads that ever crossed Sardinia - the SP 1. 

The approximately 23 kilometers of this legendary route that crosses the Gutturu Mannu are not asphalted. The tarmac has worn away over the decades and has not been renewed because there are faster ways in the area to get from Cagliari to the south or west. Good for us off-roaders. This means we have a playground that we can drive on with vehicles of any category and have a lot of fun. Certainly - there are no major off-road adventures on this section of the SP 1. But that doesn't matter.

Four kilometers north of Capoterra (west of Cagliari), the asphalt turns into gravel. It winds smoothly between the cork and holm oaks of the Gutturu Mannu, passes the old San Leone mine and climbs from 50 to 480 meters in altitude on its way - at least. About eight kilometers before the town of Santadi, the SP 1 turns back into an asphalt road.