Monte Arcuentu

Mount Arcuentu is an imposing rocky crest that rises to a height of about 785 m above sea level and is part of a mountain range that runs more or less parallel to a stretch of the Costa Verde, for a length of about 8 km. The name of the mountain is hypotized to derive from the term "árku" which, in the Sardinian language, indicates the particular arched shape of the rocks at the summit, and "bentu" that means wind, so it could mean "arc of the wind". The origin of this mountain complex took place in the Tertiary era, between the Oligocene and Miocene, thanks to intense volcanic activity characterized by both acidic and basic lavas. The different type of lava gave rise to different types of rocks. Mount Arcuentu it has an easily recognizable crest, originating precisely from the type of volcanic rock of which it is composed; from the summit it is possible to see the Sinis peninsula, the Giara, Mount Arci, the Gulf of Oristano, the Gennargentu, the Montiferru massif, Mount Grighine, the Sette Fratelli, Mount Linas and the Campidano plain. Numerous streams flow along its slopes, all of a torrential nature, which have dug narrow and deep valleys in the volcanic rock. In the vicinity of the mountain are the mines , included within the boundaries of the Historical and Environmental Geomining Park of Sardinia . Along the green coast are theyellow sand beaches and the dunes of Pistis, Torre dei Corsari and Piscinas. To the north you can see the lagoon areas of Sant'Antonio di Santadi and Marceddì. On the top of Monte Arcuentu there is a centuries-old forest of holm oaks. In the open areas the Mediterranean maquis is the master. The summit of the mountain can be reached by following a hiking trail that starts from the mines of Montevecchio.