Pan di Zucchero, an imposing limestone rock stack rising from the sea with a total elevation of 133 meters above sea level, owes its name to the similarity with the Pão de Açúcar of Rio de Janeiro, is perforated by two large arcs, and characterized by karst phenomena with tunnels, traversable by rubber dinghy.
It is located in front of the Porto Flavia cliff, a picturesque mine of the twentieth century carved into the cliff. From here the minerals were directly loaded onto merchant ships.
At the foot of the mine, at the water level, the Cave of the Soffione, so called because of the effect generated by the sea waves that penetrate into its cavity and create large splashes generated by the pressure of the water in the underwater cave.
At sunset, from the cove that gives life to the Masua Beach, one can contemplate the scenery created by the yellow-orange shades of sunlight that radiate on the limestone silhouette of this imposing cliff, which together with the effect of the sun reflections on the surface of the sea, increase the majesty of this natural monument.
The “Sentiero dei minatori”, via ferrata on the Pan di Zucchero, develops almost entirely vertically along the old path that the miners used to climb the plateau. The via ferrata is passable starting from a small ledge at sea level where there was the docking of the racks, the boats used for transporting the ore.
Ferrata
Already from the landing the cables protect the first short section that leads to a square, overlooked by several mining tunnels, some of which are walled, where it is possible to consult the street book.
From the square there is access to a passage on landslides (stable) that lead to a horizontal roof that is always passable with cables in total safety. It continues without problems up to the base of the vertical characterized by iron pegs or natural rocky points that reduce the technical difficulties therefore it runs quite quickly with excellent views towards the sea and over the walls that overlook.
In correspondence of the roof of the left cave, the vertical ends to look out on the exposed slope to the west of the island. After about ten meters without a safety the cable is taken back for the last 10 meters of vertical leading to the plateau.
Pianoro
On the plateau of the Pan di Zucchero which rises up to just over 130 meters, a ring-shaped path marked by small stone men makes it possible to see the most important sights.
It is recommended not to get too close to the edge of the cliff which could be dangerous.
Along the way, the stretch of coast that from the Masua beach to Cala Domestica and the structure of Porto Flavia set on the cliff facing the east of the island, inaugurated in 1924, an old mining port for loading ships, will be admirable.
But the Laveria Lamarmora and the entire mining area of Masua and Nebida will still be admirable.
Discesa
The descent can be made, for the more experienced, returning to the roof of the cave where there is a stop for a double abseiling directly on the boat, the jump is about 45 meters, otherwise you can retrace the via ferrata to the starting point from which to re-embark.
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