Sardinia traverse by bicycle main pictures
 Sardinia traverse by bicycle main pictures

Sardinia traverse by bicycle

This is a real expedition across Sardinia, it’s a trip through 4000 years of history, an adventure between primordial sounds and silences, a challenge among the bluest sky you've ever seen and the clearest sea in which you've ever swim.

| Cycling | Active | 8days/7nights | Self-Guided | From € 1400 € 1200* |

Highlights


Alghero and its Catalan heritage

Alghero and its Catalan heritage

Alghero-Bosa coastal road

Alghero-Bosa coastal road

The sardinian secret of longevity

The sardinian secret of longevity

Coast and beaches before Cagliari

Coast and beaches before Cagliari

Day to Day

B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner;
1Arrival in AlgheroD
2Alghero to TresnuraghesB D
3Tresnuraghes to FordongianusB D
4Fordongianus to AritzoB D
5Aritzo to OrroliB D
6Orroli to VillasimiusB
7Villasimius to CagliariB D
8Departure from CagliariB

Tour Map


Day 1: Arrival in Alghero

A Catalan Heritage Gem

Alghero is a Catalan heritage town, with a typical old center made out of narrow streets protected by its massive bastions overlooking the sea, a charming place to start your week. We'll welcome you ta airport and we'll have a 10 minutes shuttle to our Hotel in town.
According to arrival time we’ll have a detailed bike fitting and a short warm up ride exploring a nice rural countryside with olive oil groves, orchards and vineyards.
Then we'll make time for a proper Mediterranean aperitif with the local refreshing Torbato wine, followed by a sumptuous dinner at one of our favorite restaurants on the ramparts facing the marina.

Array Overnight: Alghero
Included: Dinner

Day 2: Alghero to Tresnuraghes

Wild Coastline and Rolling Malvasia Vineyards

Today’s ride will take you along the stunning scenic coastal road from Alghero to Bosa, 45 kms of pristine beauty over the cliffs overlooking the sea, admiring the views of Alghero bay and Capo Caccia. This is going to be one of te best rides of your life, surrounded by wild nature over a rugged coastline, mountain pastures and oak forests, all the way until the colorful Bosa, a medieval town dominated by its XII century Malaspina castle. Left Bosa the road starts climbing through the Modolo valley, a vivid patchwork of vegetable gardens, olive groves and vineyards of Malvasia producing the precious wine symbol of the area. When at the top don’t miss to turn and admire the beach of Porto Alabe with its brown volcanic sand, then ride across the villages of Magomadas ending in Tresnuraghes.



Overnight: Tresnuraghes
Included: Breakfast Dinner

Day 3: Tresnuraghes to Fordongianus

Colorful Murals, Vast Pastures and Roman Thermal Baths

Today’s ride takes us into the heart of Montiferru area, with its views across the Marghine range and the West coast as far as the eye can see.
The colorful murals of Flussio and Tinnura villages introduce us to the vast pastures of Sagama sloping down to the sea. We continue heading up to the San Leonardo de Siete Fuentes with its pure fresh springs, steady climbing until the village of Santu Lussurgiu, that has been build on the caldera of the ancient volcano.
Then we'll descend gradually to the Tirso valley, crossing it twice before reaching the ancient Roman thermal settlement of Fordongianus (ancient Forum Traiani) on the Tirso river banks. The hotel offers natural thermal baths, a perfect spot to relax and finish a glorious day.

Overnight: Fordongianus
Included: Breakfast Dinner

Day 4: Fordongianus to Aritzo

Precious Carpets and Great Red Wines

Today’s itinerary leads us all the way up to the Gennargentu range, with its highest Sardinian peak Punta La Marmora.
The route starts along the Tirso river banks gently climbing among silent plateaus and crossing very few rural villages. An important one is Samugheo, known for its tradition of precious woollen carpets, still handmade with excellent workmanship according ancient techniques, and now reinvented by international designers. Then we'll feel almost immersed in a XVIII century painting, while crossing the marvelous wine landscape of Mandrolisai region, producing a great full bodied wine using three local grapes, the Bovale, Monica and Cannonau. The last effort brings us to the chestnut woods of Aritzo with its mountain allure.

Overnight: Aritzo
Included: Breakfast Dinner

Day 5: Aritzo to Orroli

Through the Sardinia Blue Zone

The day starts downhill towards Gadoni and the Flumendosa river valley, following it all the way to the Ogliastra region. You'll be surprised by the wild beauty of its nature, where the river and its tributaries erosion have carved valleys creatin bizarre rock formations known as "Tacchi" (heels). They are rocky plateaus rising on high canyons of white limestone, carved over the millennia by the Flumendosa river and its tributaries. We are at the heart of the Sardinia Blue Zone, one of the areas of the world where people live longer, you may easily encounter a centeranian. The last canyon encloses the lake Flumendosa and lead us to the Orroli village, laid on a vast plateau and symbol of longevity in Sardinia. Here there’s the “Panifico Kentos”, a modern bakery making the most fragrant bread you can imagine, using only local wheat species and sourdough starter.

Overnight: Orroli
Included: Breakfast Dinner

Day 6: Orroli to Villasimius

Majestic Nuraghe Arrubiu and Perfume of Citrus

After a short stretch on the plateau we'll arrive at the megalithic complex of the “Nuraghe Arrubiu”. This 3000 years old fortress is one of the most important of the 7000 "Nuraghi" buildings spread all over the Island, it is beautifully preserved and we'll dedicate a visit that will let us discover the very evolved people that lived here three thousands years ago. We go down following the Flumendosa river valley ending by the sea in Muravera. The landscape is now marked with the most generous citrus groves of Sardinia and lagoons inhabited by pink flamingos and rare birds, then it opens up to the charm of the sea and the fabulous coastline of Capo Carbonara Marine Park. We are back by the sea in Villasimius village, immersed in a real paradise made of white sandy beaches and emerald water.

Array Overnight: Villasimius
Included: Breakfast

Day 7: Villasimius to Cagliari

All patches of Blue and Green

The route from Villasimius to Cagliari is a “funtastic” coastal road, a never ending series of ups and downs along a succession of impressive cliff and beaches, granite hills and ancient Spanish towers. It will be really difficult to resist the temptation to stop and swim in one of the many beaches and crystal water: Porto Sa Ruxi, Solanas, Torre delle Stelle, Geremeas, Mari Pintau, Cala Regina and finally the 7 km long sandy beach of the Poetto, where we'll ride on a neat cycling path along the beach.
The arrival in Cagliari is just great, as we ride right into the precious Molentargius Park with its huge Pink Flamingos colony, then a last bit of safe cycling path will lead us along the marina right to the center of Cagliari.

Array Overnight: Cagliari
Included: Breakfast Dinner

Day 8: Departure from Cagliari

Arrivederci Amici!

It’s time to say goodbye, but we know our Island touched your heart and you want to be back in Sardinia with us!
After breakfast and talk about the whole tour, we'll help you with bikes and luggage and shuttle to Cagliari airport, at just 10 minutes from city center.
Ciao Amici, ci vedremo ancora!

Included: Breakfast

Brendan NevinBrendan Nevin
15:07 07 Jun 23
Mediterras supported 8 of us on the cycling Gran Tour down the west coast. I would strongly recommend them - brilliant support, great local knowledge led routes and excellent bikes, We would use them again without hesitation.
Lesley KovarLesley Kovar
11:20 08 May 23
We just finished a custom tour with Mediterras, from Palermo to Marsala. What a fantastic experience! Our guide Gian Mario was so knowledgeable and attentive, his planning was meticulous. The choice of boutique hotels, as well as the restaurants he selected, were all wonderful. The rides were well planned, taking us through beautiful countryside and along spectacular coasts. Our van driver Giovanni was also awesome, he could be a professional naturalist. We are already planning our next trip with them (to Sardinia). What a treat to use a small local company that gave us such a memorable trip!
Bernie CreavenBernie Creaven
11:09 08 May 23
We loved traveling with Mediterrras!Mario and Giovanni were amazing, professional, detailed and thoughtful. They made planning this trip easy, they were super flexible when we had to change plans. They supplied us with excellent equipment (I loved my road bike), detailed maps, fun rides, history lessons, in fact we laughed our way around Sicily!We enjoyed our meals together and they booked us into beautiful hotels. Unfortunately, one member of our group had a medical emergency, they looked after him like they would a family member.I can’t wait to bike again with our new best friends!Go ahead book these local guys, you’re guaranteed a fabulous experience!Bernadette (Irish woman living and biking in Seattle).
Rich GundlachRich Gundlach
13:15 24 Sep 22
Great planning, exceptional guides. We enjoyed everything about our trip. We learned a great deal about the history and culture of Sardinia. Marcello at Mediterras made sure that everything was properly arranged and made adjustments when necessary. A great part of our enjoyment came from our interaction with our guides (Giovanni, Stefano and Danilo). They were all very knowledgeable and friendly. When it came time to part we felt like we were leaving old friends.
Doris ChapatteDoris Chapatte
11:53 12 Sep 22
We did the "big-loop" from the 20.08.2022.The big loop ist 12 days road bike around the island. We have booked the trip 1.5 weeks before (last minute) and everything has been organised perfectly. We had an extra break day every 4 days biking. And was great.Mediterras has answer to all our questions. On the day of departure, our bikes we ready, we got time to get full explanation of the tour. We got a navigation system with all the routes. Everything was very clear and very well organised. Our lugage was every evening delivered at the next hotels.The hotel has been wonderfully selected, and always at some nice location and not too far away from the center or the beach. Thank again to Mediterras team for the wonderful holidays.I would give more than a 5 Stars for this trip and the wonderful team.Doris & Jean-Luc - from Swizerland
Tadhg CookeTadhg Cooke
12:46 09 Jun 22
A fantastic introduction to cycling in Sardinia. I just rented the bike in Cagliari for a few days at the end of my holiday, with no particular routes in mind. Gian Mario kindly suggested two nice challenging routes, and sent the GPX files. I only had time for one of them - but it was an absolute gem. Starting in the city, cycling along Poetto, before turning towards the hills. After one tiny village, I didn't pass another café or shop for 40 or 50 km. Just me and the pain in my legs. Superb. The bike was a gem - a former Lotto Jumbo team bike which was ridden in the Paris Roubaix by Tom Leezer. I was a *bit* slower, but I probably enjoyed it more! Wonderful experience - lovely people - always available on whatsapp if I needed anything, which was very reassuring when I don't speak Italian or Sardu! I will definitely use them again if/when I return to Sardegna.Thanks again!
We did the Sicily Baroque tour with Mediterras. Self guided on bikes (el and manual). Gian and his team did adapt the tour for our needs and did all to make the tour enjoyable. Few problems surfaced but all were solved. The trail was interesting and added a lot to our understanding of Sicily, its landscape and life in the rural areas. Accommodations were all good, and the quality of the food in the restaurants Gian had arranged varied from good to excellent. At the end of our tour we did a walk in the hillsides of Etna arranged by Mediterras.The Etna tour was wonderful. We were lucky with weather given the circumstances. It was a bit foggy and a bit cold, but it did not rain. The guides did a good job of explaining the geology of Etna for us and the two geology-educated persons in the group! The hike was challenging, which suited the group well. The food and wine at Barbaras place was totally excellent! Six stars out of five.We were not as lucky in Taormina! It did rain cats and dogs. The drivers did adapt quite well. Did stop at several foto-ops and at the entry gate to the pedestrian street. We did wander through the Greek theatre and the pedestrian walk, did have a stop at a fancy coffe-shop/bar and then decided to skip the dinner and return early back to Syracusa.
W. B.W. B.
16:03 20 Oct 21
I found this company using google and right away Gian was very responsive. I told them what we were looking for, gave specific parameters for distance and elevation, and they put together an itinerary very quickly that completely matched what I asked for. The entire trip was seamless from the 1am pickup at airport to drop off after 10 days of cycling. The routes were on quiet wonderful roads and the hotels they chose were all great. A really good local company which does what they claim to do very well. Highly recommend.
Ilja WinkertIlja Winkert
11:14 17 Sep 21
I rented quite spontaneously a city bike for my whole stay here near Cagliari. The workshop is very well located. Grocery shopping, going to the beach and the city worked very well. Bike were in a good condition. I was properly advised. Fully recommend this place.
ZosiaZosia
14:46 23 Aug 21
We are so happy that we found this rental. Very nice, helpfull and professional customer service. We recommend to everyone!
juliet clarkejuliet clarke
17:20 15 Jun 21
Mediterras arranged a self guided cycling trip through South Eastern sicily stopping in beautiful baroque towns. They arranged everything with less than a weeks notice, keeping us up to date on accommodation, bikes equipment etc.My husband and I had a wonderful time. The ride was perfect, having both been off a bike for several months, the ride was the perfect combination of hills and flats for us to really enjoy it. The accommodation was far better than what we were expecting for the price and recommendations for dinner and stops spot on. We ate incredibly well and all the hosts in the villas and hotels very welcoming and helpful.I would certainly recommend them especially arranging it all with such little notice.
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