As a model of a stereoselective approach to ajugareptansin 1, a versatile and straightforward access to polyfunctionalized cis or trans decalins is presented. It is based on a Lewis acid-mediated addition of furan to the unsaturated ketoester 3 followed by oxidative opening of the furan to give cis decalins by an aldolisation process. Selective epimerization at carbons 5 or 10 is described and allows the access to the trans ring geometry.