The Big Loop of Sardinia Self-Guided main pictures
The Big Loop of Sardinia Self-Guided main pictures

The Big Loop of Sardinia Self-Guided

An island like a continent! Doing the Big Loop of Sardinia you'll pedal along the east coastline with white sandy beaches, you'll climb limestone and granites mountains, you'll visit glamour villages of the Costa Smeralda and then back along the west coast, the favorite one from thousands of cyclists. This could be your adventure of a lifetime!

| Cycling | Avid | 14days/13nights | Self-Guided | From € 2240 € 1870* |

Highlights


Pedaling with sea view

Pedaling with sea view

Limestone cliffs and Mountains of Sardinia

Limestone cliffs and Mountains of Sardinia

The marvelous Alghero-Bosa and Sinis Peninsula

The marvelous Alghero-Bosa and Sinis Peninsula

The wild Costa Verde and the history of Mines

The wild Costa Verde and the history of Mines

Day to Day

B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner;
1Arrival in Cagliari
2From Cagliari to MuraveraCycling 95Km/1100mB
3From Muravera to OrroliCycling 80Km/1700mB
4From Orroli to Bari SardoCycling 83Km/1200mB
5From Bari Sardo to Cala GononeCycling 50Km/1050mB
6From Cala Gonone to SiniscolaCycling 70Km/525mB
7From Siniscola to CannigioneCycling 110Km/1300mB
8From Cannigione to CastelsardoCycling 100Km/1700mB
9From Castelsardo to AlgheroCycling 80km 500mB
10From Alghero to CabrasCycling 105Km/1500mB
11From Cabras to BuggerruCycling 100Km/1500mB L D
12From Buggerru to Sant'AntiocoCycling 90Km/990mB D
13From Sant'Antioco to PulaCycling 85Km/990mB L D
14Shuttle and departure from CagliariB

Tour Map


Day 1: Arrival in Cagliari

Undiscovered Mediterranean Gem

We’ll welcome you at airport and have a 10 minutes shuttle to town. After checking in, we’ll have an urban walk through the capital of Sardinia, called in Sardinian language “Casteddu” (the Castle), because of its fortified district overlooking the sea. We’ll make time for an introductory aperitif featuring a refreshing Vermentino, the most famous of Sardinian white wines. Cagliari is a lively city, a true Mediterranean jewel thanks of its long history: Nuragic Sardinians, Phoenicians, Punics, Romans, Byzantines, Barbarians, Genoans, Spanish, and eventually Italians!
Dining in its old “Marina” district, a melting pot place, it’s an experience that will let us discover an unique cooking style that has its roots more into the Spanish culture than Italian. Cagliari cooking is quintessential Mediterranean, with lots of fresh fish, seafood, sea urchins, handmade pastas, local olive oil, and many local grapes (both the elegant red Monica and the yellow-white Nuragus). Our unforgettable dinner is the entrée to our culinary journey of Sardinia.

Array Overnight: Cagliari

Day 2: From Cagliari to Muravera

Another great coastline with amazing views.

The morning it’s a fun ride with continuous up and down in an impressive succession of cliffs and white sandy beaches, granite hills and ancient Spanish towers. It will be very difficult to avoid the temptation to take a dip in one of the many beaches with crystal clear water… Villasimius and its the Marine Protected Area of Capo of Carbonara (www.ampcapocarbonara.it) give way to the charm of the coast and to the dream beaches which line the most generous citrus groves of Sardinia.

Overnight: Muravera
Included: Breakfast

Day 3: From Muravera to Orroli

The majestic Nuraghe Arrubiu.

We leave Muravera through citrus orchards and olive groves, then we start climbing to the heart of the mountains of Gerrei, going up the river Flumendosa from the mouth to the lake. The plateau anticipates the arrival to Orroli, village symbol of longevity in Sardinia. Its countryside host the impressive megalithic complex of Nuraghe Arrubiu, definitely one of nicest among the about 7000 nuraghe spread around the Island.

Overnight: Orroli
Included: Breakfast

Day 4: From Orroli to Bari Sardo

Limestone cliffs and Mountains of Sardinia.

That’s the King of the Mountain day! We leave going down to the Flumendosa valley, which we follow the course up to the gates of Ogliastra. Here you will be surprised by the wild beauty of nature, where the action of erosion of the river and its tributaries have carved valleys, creating bizarre shapes of the rocks, such as the characteristic "Tacchi", which are of limestone plateaus with high white cliffs, which make unique landscapes of this beautiful corner of Sardinia.

Overnight: Barisardo
Included: Breakfast

Day 5: From Bari Sardo to Cala Gonone

The best part of the old National Road 125

Leaving Bari Sardo, you will continue the pedaling along the Ogliastra beaches and returning to the old 125 you will begin your climb. The Gulf of Orosei is a limestone cliff overlooking the sea. You will pedal over it, climbing up to the "Ghenna e Silana" pass, from where the Gorropu canyon begins, one of the largest in Europe. From there, you will first descend gently and then more and more quickly towards Cala Gonone.

Overnight: Cala Gonone
Included: Breakfast

Day 6: From Cala Gonone to Siniscola

The Monte Albo

We start uphill today, and with some bend, we reach again the SS125, and the inland toward Lula, where you’ll face the real highlight of the day, the marvelous rocky ramparts of Monte Albo, a long dolomitic doline that you will follow on a beautiful road surrounded by greenery, which runs just down of the peaks, before dropping along an exciting 15km downhill till Siniscola.

Overnight: Siniscola
Included: Breakfast

Day 7: From Siniscola to Cannigione

Across the glamour Costa Smeralda

The day starts along the coast, where you must stop to get the whole beauty of Tavolara island, a towering limestone island rising from the sea in front of Capo Coda Cavallo and San Teodoro. Then you enter the Gallura with its oddly shaped granite profiles, vineyards, red cork oaks, and beautiful countryside. Your ride ends along the emerald water and stunning beaches of the glamour Costa Smeralda.

Overnight: Cannigione
Included: Breakfast

Day 8: From Cannigione to Castelsardo

Valle della Luna and granite villages

Heading to Limbara Mountain range and its pretty villages, the ride explores the countryside decorated with neat vineyards. Just after Aggius, another picturesque village of Gallura, we go down into the Valle della Luna (moon valley), a real evocative spot of Sardinia, a large flat area with sparse vegetation, which seems to emerge from massive granite boulders blocks. The valley connects the Gallura with the pastures of Anglona. A long gradual descent through the silent countryside leads down to the village of Santa Maria Coghinas, then reaches the sea in Valledoria at the mouth of the river Coghinas. From here is a short climb before reaching Castelsardo: a beautiful postcard overlooking the ancient fortress of Doria on the cliff.

Overnight: Castelsardo
Included: Breakfast

Day 9: From Castelsardo to Alghero

Up and down on the Nurra "plains"

We'll leave Castelsardo following the coastal road towards the west, passing the long beach of Platamona and reaching the old town of Porto Torres, one of the most important ports on the island. Here we will head towards the Nurra plains, where, riding countryside back roads, we'll reach Alghero, a Catalan heritage town. Alghero has a typical network of narrow streets and old ramparts overlooking the sea, perfect for a charming oceanfront dinner.

Overnight: Alghero
Included: Breakfast

Day 10: From Alghero to Cabras

Heading to the quartz beaches of the Sinis Peninsula

We head south with a great ride along a coastline that reminds the Californian Big Sur and its dramatic beauty. The 45 Km stretch separating Alghero from Bosa is definitely one of the most scenic itineraries of the whole Sardinia. The road looks almost like a terrace suspended over the ocean, backed by majestic volcanic mountains. Then we'll ride inland, through the Montiferru area and its pristine countryside, where silence is broken just from flock bells and the landscape looks like a painting. Our stage ends in Cabras, a village built among lagoons, with incredible shining light.

Overnight: Cabras
Included: Breakfast

Day 11: From Cabras to Buggerru

Wild Costa Verde

Another spectacular ride, passing on the Marceddì lagoon, a place that seems frozen in time. Then the majestic Costa Verde (the Green Coast) is quite a movie location thanks to the old mining villages and sandy dunes, this is considered one of the wildest areas of the island. The Mediterranean bush covers like a thick carpet the hills, arriving at the desert sands of majestic dunes. The ocean itself looks wilder here, always moving thanks to the mistral wind. We’ll stop in Portixeddu, just a few km before our last effort to get Buggerru, an ancient mining village nestled in a cove on the coast. Here we'll have our dinner in a very local trattoria.

Array Overnight: Buggerru
Included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 12: From Buggerru to Sant'Antioco

Old rural villages and vineyard of Carignano grape

The stage starts climbing from the sheltered cove of Buggerru to the top of the hill in Acquaresi where you take a long downhill into the blue sea of Nebida, admiring the magnificent Pan di Zucchero (sugar loaf), a white limestone rock that arises from the sea. Then you’ll ride along Funtanamare beach and along the coast until to Portoscuso. Here you get the first ferry of the day to Carloforte, a Mediterranean gem where Ligurian, African and Sardinian culture are blend harmoniously. The second ferry of your day brings you to Calasetta on Sant’Antioco island.

Array Overnight: Sant'Antioco
Included: Breakfast Dinner

Day 13: From Sant'Antioco to Pula

Ride the amazing Costa del Sud

We’ve told you, this tour has plenty of beauty. So what’s more marvelous than the southern Sardinia coast? After a few km, we’ll be enchanted by the neat Romanesque-Pisan architecture of the Cathedral of Tratalias in the phantom village of Tratalias Vecchia. We’ll cross the Sulcis countryside through artichokes fields and Carignano vineyards, a wine you can find just in this area. After a stop for a wine tasting and a picnic by the impressive "Is Zuddas" caves, the ride follows along the succession of secret coves and ancient Spanish watching towers, overlooking a sea with all shades of blue and green. The up and down ends in Chia, one of the most gorgeous beaches on the whole island, then we have just 15 km of peaceful countryside until the legendary Nora, the Phoenician town conquered by the Romans, one of the most important settlements of ancient Mediterranean.

Array Overnight: Pula
Included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 14: Shuttle and 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 we'll help you with bikes and luggage and shuttle to Cagliari airport, at just 30 minutes from Pula.
Ciao Amici, ci vedremo ancora!

Array 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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