Crafts and Cultural Roots
The route starts from the town church, heading south along Via San Giovanni, before turning first onto Via Sardegna and then onto Via Villacidro. Leaving the town center, you immediately encounter an identity symbol of the community: the Is Pingiaras monument, dedicated to the ancient tradition of crafting terracotta pots (pignate). This artisanal craft is deeply rooted in the exceptional quality of the local clay and continues to represent one of the most distinctive and recognizable features of Pabillonis today.
Naturalistic and cultural interest
Leaving the town behind, the route opens up onto the wide Campidano plain, crisscrossed by diverse crops that showcase the full agricultural richness of this part of Sardinia. The route continues toward San Gavino Monreale, before turning southwest to enter the countryside of Gonnosfanadiga.
Here, in the locality of Sa Spadula, the rural landscape safeguards two extraordinary testaments to the Nuragic era: a Megaron temple and, a short distance away, a Nuragic well, further evidence of the rich past that all of Sardinia shares. From Sa Spadula, the trail turns sharply northward to begin the return journey to Pabillonis, crossing the network of irrigation canals that punctuate the agricultural landscape and running alongside the Flumini Bellu. The return to the town is greeted by the encounter with the Mitza S’Arrieddu spring, of Roman origin—the same evocative spot already encountered on the West Loop—serving as a reminder of how water is the silent thread that binds all the routes of this network together.
Optional extension
Those wishing to add a highly fascinating nature stop and who do not mind a bit of extra climbing can extend the South Loop toward Sa Spendula, in the territory of Villacidro, famous for its namesake waterfall. Upon reaching the southernmost point of the route, continue along the SP4 to the entrance of Gonnosfanadiga, then take the SS196 for about 4 km toward Villacidro. At this point, leave the state highway for a dirt road running south of the carriageway, reaching the destination in another 4 km. Retrace your steps to rejoin the original loop. With this variant, the overall route increases to approximately 49 km, with a total elevation gain of about 400 m.
