Sardinia traverse by bicycle

Day to Day

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!