Roman road Chia

By: Daniela e Michele 06/05/2019

Roman Road to Chia: a breathtaking trekking in Southern Sardinia.

How can you miss the opportunity to make a leap into history? The Roman Road to Chia, connected Nora with the ancient lost city of Bithia. Two hours of easy walking with an amazing sea view!

How to reach it:

Just an hour drive from Ca ‘del Sol, or from the center of Cagliari, via the SS195, direction Teulada, turn at the junction towards Pinus Village where it is possible, still today, intercept the ancient Roman road to Chia.

Once you have parked the car in the residential area, you can start the hike along the road within about 3,4 miles (5.5 kms), with a maximum height of only 70 mts, so everything is very simple.
We recommend you to fit hiking shoes, avoiding slippers or sandals, and bring, at least one liter of water per person. The signs do not exist so we recommend you to print this post we’ve written for you. 😉

A little bit of History:

The Roman Road was built around the 4th century AD and connected specifically Nora (near Pula) to Bithia on the road axis between Cagliari and Sulki (Sant’Antioco). The paving stones that constitute the whole road structure, is still visible. It belonged to the road system of south-western Sardinia as described in the Antonine Itinerary.

Over the centuries it has been a continuous connection between the two territorial entities of Sant Margherita di Pula and Domus de Maria. Many centuries before the road through the mountains that leads to Teulada, was done.

Walking, over looking the Sea.

Yeah, this is priceless! Isn’t it? The sea is always on your left hand-side for miles. As the forest of Is Cannoneris which is right above your head and in the which for long stretches you will be immersed.
The dust road is very easy and you can dedicate for shooting some beautiful photographies, as we tried to do as well!

Aromas of enveloping Mediterraneanness, thinking of walking on a road designed and built more than 1600 years ago!

A long descent and you’ll be at the islet of Su Cardulinu, where there are some archaeological stuff: it seems, that here, there was a cemetery area of the period Phoenician-Punic (Tophet), in fact under the Tower of Chia, which you will see soaring, there are the remains of ancient Bithia, a port that has been valued for centuries like a very strategic place, given the location halfway between Cagliari and Sulki, in addition to the proximity (only 145 nautical miles about 250km) to Carthage (now Tunis).

Better to let you know that you have to go back to where you came from, in fact the path is not a circle so, you have to consider the other 3 miles (5kms about) for going home. But it is not so bad, what do you think about it? Anyway, on the beach of Su Portu, there is a kiosk where you can refresh yourself 😉

Tecnical things:

Length: about 3,4 miles (5.5 kms), one way.
Route: Departure from Pinus Village beach and arrival at the Torre di Chia promontory.
Difference in height: 70 meters
Difficulty: Tourist.
Signage: Poor.