Monte Linas

From Gonnosfanadiga take the road towards the Perd'e Pibera park. Just after a small road bridge over the Riu Piras (Località Zàiri), park in the wide clearing on the right. A dirt track on the left runs beside the road and soon narrows into path 102, which follows the stream into Canali Mau, a gorge between high rock walls floored with large water-worn boulders; a shrine and plaque commemorate two canyoneers who died here. After about 4 km the path enters the wood and climbs steeply in hairpins past old charcoal-burners' platforms, on uneven, slippery stony ground, then crosses a pathless rocky stretch below cliffs guided by cairns and paint marks to the pass of Genn'e Impì (1,035 m), about 2½ hours from the start. Signposts here point left to Punta Cammedda and right to the higher summits. The ridge path heads north-west from the pass. It is faint at first among the rocks, then follows the long south-east ridge with continual ups and downs over Punta Sa Cabixetta (1,202 m, small metal cross and a niche with a statuette), down to a saddle and up to Punta Perda de Sa Mesa (1,236 m), about 1¼ hours from Genn'e Impì as signed. On clear days the view reaches the coast of Arbus and Buggerru, the Oristano plain, the Montiferru and the Gennargentu. Descend the same way (about 3 hours; hard on the knees). Shorter alternatives exist: path D-103 now links Ponte Riu Piras directly with the summit from the north (4.7 km, 2¾ hours, EE according to Forestas), and with a suitable vehicle the unpaved road to the Togoro plateau (Genna su Padenti) allows an ascent of only about 400 m. Avoid Canali Mau after heavy rain: the gorge is shaped by floods.