MAP REFERENCE: Villagrande Strisaili
DIFFICULTY: E - Experienced Trekkers Path
AVERAGE TREKKING TIME: 1h 15m (one way)
LENGTH: 1.5km
HEIGHT DIFFERENCE: None
START POINT: Lake Flumendosa
ARRIVAL POINT: River juncture and waterfalls
INDICATIONS: None
PATH CONDITIONS: Rocky riverbank path
HOW DO I GET THERE? From Tortoli follow the main road SS198 to Lanusei. After approx.2km turn right onto the SP27 signposted to Villagrande Strisaili. The road ascends for approx.14.5km and you turn sharp left before entering the town of Villagrande following the signs to Nuoro. Continue up and ahead for apporx.4km. Upon arriving at the T-junction at the end turn left on to the main road SS389 in the direction of Lanusei, continue for approx 3km until turning right and over the little bridge at the south end of Lake Flumendosa. Follow the little road around the south end of the lake for approx 8km, continue on the right, past the Gennargentu indication rock/sign and down onto the road alongside the river itself, over the little bridge, continue for approx 1km (two right hand bends) until the big tree next to the ruins of the old bridge.
THERE ARE TWO POSSIBILITIES HERE:
Park the car under the "obvious" tree and walk (2km - 1h 25m) along the riverbed to the waterfalls.
OR
Continue with the car over the bridge and turn right at the sign for Funtana Terraona. Follow this for approx 2km and turn right off the asphalt road onto the dirt track. This is an unmarked road. It is probably better to park here and walk the 800m to the animal hut then down to the waterfalls. If one continues past this unmarked dirt track one misses the waterfalls altogether.
WALKING THE RIVERBED: Cross the bridge so that the river is now on your right hand side. Swing right and down to the water and turn left keeping the water on your right hand side whilst following the riverbank. After approx. 600m you enter two large curve to the right then to the left. This covers roughly 500m. The final straight to the river juncture and water falls is approx. 500m. The waterfalls are out of sight from the main river but are located around a bend on the left hand side. Turn left here. You should now have the main river behind you. Cross this left hand section of the stream to approach the waterfalls from the right hand side. Pay close attention here as the water can make the rocks very slippery. You can climb up and above the waterfall by following a "trail" to the right of the first pool. It is also possible to cross this pool to approach the waterfall from the left hand side.
APPROACH BY CAR: Having negotiated the bridge immediately turn right following signs for Funtana Terraona. Follow this road for approx 1.4km until turning right on to the unsigned dirt track. You can park here or continue on foot for approx. 750m until you arrive at the animal shelter located above the waterfalls. Behind this animal shelter is a small trail that leads down to the water and the top of the waterfalls. Be careful here as any additional approach to these waterfalls from this area can be very dangerous.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Drinking water accessible, Canyon / Riverbank trek, native wildlife (pigs, cows, horses) roaming freely
IMPORTANT: THIS TREK OFFERS EASIER ACCESS DURING SUMMER MONTHS. THERE IS THE PROBABLITY OF INCREASED RIVER LEVELS FROM OCTOBER TO MARCH MAKING ANY TREKKING MORE DANGEROUS!
