The most demanding stage of the route breaks away from the dunes of Torre dei Corsari, heading straight into the mining country of the Iglesiente. The road climbs into the isolated volcanic mountains surrounding the abandoned facilities of Montevecchio. Punchy ramps lead over the mountain ridge at Arbus before a fast descent drops down to the wild, windswept sandy beach of Portixeddu.
After a brief flat coastal stretch, the tarmac turns inland once more. This marks the beginning of the long, grueling climb up to the Passo di Genna Bogai on the SS126 highway. The pass snakes through dense holm oak forests and rugged limestone crags.
The historic town of Iglesias marks the end of the day. This medieval settlement once thrived as a royal silver mining hub.
