Villanova Monteleone: a trip up Monte Minerva.

Mount Minerva is situated in the region of Villanova Monteleone, near to Lago Temo ( Lake Temo ). The trip is easy: departing from the ancient Palazzo Minerva (which today houses an hotel/restaurant) we walk along an easy path crossing through scrub woods, pines and cork oaks until after about three quarters of an hour we get to the mountain plateau where you can see wild donkeys. After a break, we go along another slope of the mountain walking along a cart way which after an hour and a half brings us back to the foot of the mountain. Next we have a break at a bar and then we carry on by Jeep (about 10 minutes) with another stop on the banks of Lago Temo. After lunch we visit the ruins of the ancient castle in the neighbouring district of Monteleone Roccadoria. There are wild boar, buzzards and partridges throughout the whole area and sometimes you can spot Griffin vultures coming from nearby Capo Marargiu.

Altitude: 644 metres

Ascent : 267 metres

Actual walking time : 2½ hours

In the photo: a couple of donkeys on Monte Minerva.