Sardinia: Rugged and Unique

11 days 10 nights

10 nights Half Board accommodation
from £1,952 per person (sharing a twin/double room)

Contact

If you wish to enquire about this tour please contact us on +44(0)7936 458564 or +39 378 0655 884 or email enquiries@vyvigo.co.uk

Guided: minimum 6 people

Custom dates for groups of 6 or more  

8 Stages / 1 Rest day
Total distance: 632 km Total climb 9200 mts
average mileage: 79 km/day
average climb: 1150 mts/day

Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean. Its Northern shores are a haven of luxury resorts but most else is largely unspoiled by mass tourism. This tour takes place along the South, East and West coasts and across the mountainous inland for a different approach to experiencing this exciting Island. The rugged coastal routes, the forests in Barbagia and passes of Gennargentu burst with scents and colors of the Mediterranean. The few tough climbs are rewarded with winding descents followed by swims in the emerald sea. Our tour includes carefully selected restaurants that will showcase the original local cuisine and a remarkable selection of wines such as the red Cannonau and the white Vermentino.

our price Includes:

• 10 nights Half Board in Agriturismo and 3 and 4 star hotel accommodation  

• Transfers from and to Cagliari airport

• Baggage transfers throughout the tour 

• On-call assistance

• Daily maps and cue sheets

• Cycling guide  

• Full van support throughout the tour 

The itinerary

Day 1:
Arrival Cagliari airport (easy connections with Rome, Milan or other major European cities) 
We meet you at Cagliari airport for transfer to the Agriturismo located near the Muravera beaches. Before our typical Sardinian dinner we will wash away the jetlag at the beach.

Day 2:
Stage 1: Muravera loop 63 km - total climb 600 mts
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 92 km - 600 mts
Except for a few entertaining bumps toward the end of the ride, this second stage is mostly flat. We ride in the Ogliastra region, famous for its olive oil, then cross a few tiny villages and stop in Tertenia for lunch. After the short climb to Genna Cresia, a winding downhill journey takes us back to the coast. The hotel for the next 2 nights is on the beach in Torre di Barì.

Day 4:
Stage 3: Torre di Barì loop 82 km - 1600 mts
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 82 km - 1200 mts
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 Cala Gonone
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: Calagonone - Aritzo 112 km - 2400 mts
This is the toughest stage of the tour. The first climb starts just outside the hotel door with a climb that leads to Dorgali. We encounter an easier terrain to Oliena where we tackle the Supramonte mountain and reach the muralled walls of Orgosolo. Then we ride deep into the forests of Barbagia, touching the 1000 mts mark in Fonni. Here we stop for an energetic snack with local specialties followed by long miles up and down the wooded hills and across stone villages until we summit at Arcu de Tascussi, the highest point of the tour. A long descent takes us to an old summer resort renowned to the locals, where we stay the next 2 nights in a prestigious hotel. Our hosts are very dedicated to their Sardinian heritage so we can expect the dinners to be unforgettable.

Day 8:
Stage 6: Aritzo loop 63 km - 1200 mts
This short ride is completely set in Barbagia. As you will notice from the town signs written in the Sardinian language, we will ride in the very heart of Sardinia starting with an easy climb across Tonara, famous for its nougat, then to S'Isca de sa Mela Pass. Descending we cross Sorgono and Atzara finishing just before Meana. We climb to Sa Casa Pass to descend with plenty of time to enjoy the hotel’s pool and visit the town.

Day 9:
Stage 7: Aritzo -Torre dei Corsari 102 km - 800 mts
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 64k - 1000 mts
Our last ride begins in the rolling hills, lusty vegetation and deep blue sea of Costa Verde. As we move inland we start the easy climb toward the oddly shaped peaks of Monte Arcuentu, ending at the old mining town of Montevecchio. We enter the Sulcis district, brightly coloured thanks to the mineral richness of its land. This area, named Metalla by the Romans, is now an open air museum of industrial archeology. The road takes us down to Arbus and a gentle incline to Passo Bidderdi is rewarded by a breathtaking descent to the 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 11:
After breakfast we transfer to Cagliari airport for the journey back home.   

 Extras

• Flights

• Lunches, beveages and dinners

• Single room supplement of £278

• Transfers from and to airport other than Cagliari 

• Bike hire: from £186 (includes cycle computer, repair kit, pump, lock)

• Gratuities and items of a personal nature

• Bicycle case storage

For groups of 6 or more:
All our cycling itineraries can be customized to your specific tastes and requirements.