Cycling Level 4/5
Coast to Coast on an the Emerald Island
8 Stages
Total distance: 632 km
Total climb 9200 m
79 km/day
1150 mts/day
Laying half way between Spain and Italy, Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean. While its Northern shores are haven to summer crowds and exclusive resorts for the most affluent, the rest of the Island is still largely unspoiled by mass tourism. Designed along the South, East and West coasts and across the mountainous inland, our tour proposes a different approach to this exciting Island. Sea and mountains: the rugged coastal routes, the thick forests of Barbagia and the passes of Gennargentu and everywhere a nature bursting out with the scents and colors of Mediterranean flora. The few tough climbs are always rewarded by winding descents and swims in the emerald sea. Our selected restaurants will introduce you to the pleasures of the very original local cuisine and remarkable selection of wines starting from the red Cannonau and the white Vermentino.
VyviGo, our International Tour Operator
Our friends at VyviGo will take care of all the operational aspects of the tour. They are members of Protected Trust Services, which means that your deposit is safe.
2024 Dates
No fixed dates.
Contact us to organise a tour.
The Itinerary
Day 1:
Arrival Cagliari Airport, van transfer to Muravera
Cagliari Airport has connections almost hourly with Rome or Milan, and daily with many other European cities.
We transfer you to the first inn: an Agriturismo close to the beaches of Muravera. Before getting busy with a typical Sardinian dinner we drive you to the beach to wash away your jet lag…
Day 2:
Stage 1: Muravera loop – 63km, 600 m climb
The first ride is set along the South Eastern coast. The rolling, twisted road offers striking views at every corner. before reaching the charming resort of Villasimius where we visit the museum and have lunch. The return journey is along the coast, either skirting beaches or climbing green covered cliffs. Towards the end there is an optional gravel stretch.
Day 3:
Stage 2: Muravera-Torre di Barì 92km, 600m climb
Except for a couple of entertaining bumps towards the end, the 2nd ride is mostly flat. We ride in the region of Ogliastra famous for its olive oil.We cross only a few, tiny villages: Villaputzu, Quirra and Tertenia where we have lunch. After the short climb to Genna Cresia (270 mt) a winding downhill takes us back to the coast. The hotel for the next 2 nights is close to the beach of Torre di Barì
Day 4:
Stage 3: Gairo loop – 82km, 1600m climb
Today you learn that Sardinia is not only gorgeous beaches but rugged mountains as well. This first taste of the Gennargentu mountains takes us to Gairo, perched on a steep valley. After climbing through the forest of Montarbo, we turn into a wild highland, the vast scenery dotted by rock pillars (Perdas) reminding of Monument Valley. For many kilometers not a building and very little human signs.The lonely road ends on the shore of Lake Flumendosa. Now fasten your seat belts for a technical descent in the woods.
At Lanusei we have lunch. From here a long, landscaping descent leads us back to our beach.
Day 5:
Stage 4: Torre di Barì-Cala Gonone – 82km, 1200m climb
The first 20k are an easy warm up for the long climb to the mountains of the Parco del Golfo di Orosei. We head inland to Urzulei, where the local murales resemble sepia vintage photographs. After an open air lunch we complete our climb to Genna Silana (1017mt) where a spectacular stretch of road has granite walls on one side and the abyss of Gorropu gorges on the other. A tunnel bored into the rock leads into the enchantment of Cala Gonone and its bay. The hotel for the next 2 nights is right on the beach.
Day 6:
Rest day in Calagonone
The rides will get tougher in the next three days so make the most of the blue sea. You can hire a boat to reach secluded coves
Day 7:
Stage 5 – Oliena-Aritzo – 84km – 2200m climb
We start with an (optional) transfer to Oliena, from where we tackle the mountain of Supramonte and reach the muraled walls of Orgosolo (600 mts). Then we ride deep into the forests of Barbagia touching the 1000 mts mark in the town of Fonni. Here we stop for an energetic snack with local specialties. Long kilometres up and down the wooded hills and across stone villages until we summit again, over the tree line, at Arcu de Tascussi (1250 mts), the highest point of this bike tour. A long descent takes us across Desulo and to Aritzo. Standing in the woods at 800 mt elev. Aritzo is an old, renowned summer resort for the locals. We stay here 2 nights in a prestigious hotel with pool. Our hosts are very dedicated to their Sardinian heritage so expect the dinners to be unforgettable.
Day 8:
Stage 6: Aritzo loop – 63km, 1200m climb
This short ride is completely set in Barbagia. As you notice from the town signs written in the Sardinian language we are riding in the very heart of Sardegna. We start with an easy climb across Tonara, famous for its nougats, and to S’Isca de sa Mela Pass (920 mt). Descending we cross Sorgono and Atzara. The downhill ends just before Meana, where we have lunch. For the next 16k we climb to Sa Casa Pass (1040 mt). A fast descent delivers us back with plenty of time to enjoy the hotel pool and visit the town
Day 9:
Stage 7: Aritzo-Torre dei Corsari – 102km, – 700m climb
After yesterday’s tough stage you will welcome today’s long but mostly downhill ride. Sa Casa (1040 mts), on the easier side, is for us the last pass of the Gennargentu. From here the going gets pretty fast. We wind through Laconi and Nuragus to reach Barumini, where we will visit the Unesco site of Su Nuraxi, one of the best preserved neolithic towers in Sardinia. After lunch, it is a long dash to the sea, with a good chance to sea flamingos in the salt flats. Our hotel has small beach in a little cove.
Day 10:
Stage 8: Torre dei Corsari-Portixeddu – 64km, 1000m climb
Our last ride starts in the rolling hills of Costa Verde with his lusty vegetation and deep Sardegna blue sea. From the easy rolling road you see the blossoming oleander that follows the course of dry creeks, colorfully sneaking its way in the vast greenery. As we move inland we start the easy climb towards the odd shaped peaks of Monte Arcuentu. The climb ends at the old mining town of Montevecchio. We are entering the district of Sulcis that, as you can see from the bright colors of the land, is rich of minerals. This area, named Metalla by the Romans, is now an open air museum of industrial archeology. A final climb up to Passo Bidderdi is rewarded by a breathtaking descent down to the golden beaches of Buggerru where we take a final swim, pack up our gear and have lunch at a beach restaurant.
The drive to Cagliari is interrupted for an optional visit to the roman ruins of Antas.
The hotel in Cagliari is in the historical centre and after an aperitivo be ready for an unforgettable farewell dinner.
Day 10:
Van transfer to Cagliari Airport (20 min)
