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- Epic Sardinia
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Number of days: 8 | -
Departure: Arbatax | - Return: Chia |
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Level: Challenge | -
Fly in: Cagliari | -
Fly out: Cagliari
total distance & elevation
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641.5 KM ...... -
12,241 M
Our Route
Day 1: Welcome to Sardinia
Arrival at Cagliari airport and transfer to Arbatax. Accommodation at three-star hotel and welcome dinner.
Accommodation:
3-star hotel
Meals:
Breakfast, dinner
Day 2: From Arbatax to Galtellì
This year the start of Epic Sardinia is in Arbatax, one of the most beautiful seaside resorts on the east coast of the island. This area is very special because it is the gateway to the Gennargentu National Park. And the road through it, the SS125, is of rare beauty: 50 km in the wilderness. After a flat section, you climb up the SS125 toward the town of Baunei. The first climb is substantial for about 9 km. This is followed by a stretch of ups and downs that takes us gently to the Silana Pass, at 1200 meters above sea level. A cappuccino stop with a view and down to Cala Gonone on an exhilarating and incredibly scenic descent. We descend to Cala Gonone and face the second climb of the day. The steep and spectacular old road that used to connect the small town to the civilized world: a terrace overlooking the Gulf of Orosei, carved out of the whitest limestone and dotted with junipers. From there, more easy ups and downs and a flat stretch will take us to the ancient village of Galtellì. A little gem and a very well-preserved historic center will welcome us to the medieval heritage of this ancient land. We would not characterize this stage as hard. Only the second climb has a few short steep segments. But keep calm, Epic Sardinia is just beginning! Overnight at the hotel in Galtellì, with an excellent traditional dinner.
Distance: 105.1km
Elevation gain: 1,801m
Riding terrain: mountain
Riding time: 5h
Accommodation:
3-star hotel
Meals:
Breakfast, dinner
Day 3: From Galtellì to Bitti
From one charming historic town to another. And the road that connects these two special places is also... special. Very often Sardinian geography is characterized by very simple names given to towns or mountains. Mountains are often named after their color. Monte Albo is one of these and it means white mountain. As you ride this stage you will discover that such a simple name is often the best way to describe a place. There is no better way to name this limestone mountain so white that it appears to be covered in snow. A long stretch skirts this breathtaking mountain, leaving visitors speechless. The main climb begins after the town of Lula, an iconic town in the Baronia subregion. From there, we climb for about 15 km at a very easy grade (2.1 avg, max 15%). After a long descent we encounter the main climb of the day: 15 km at less than 5 percent gradient that takes us into the heart of the Tepilora Regional Park. Pure and wild nature in true Sardinian style. From there, another long descent takes us to Bitti.
Distance: 99.5km
Elevation gain: 2,219m
Riding terrain: mountain
Riding time: 5h
Accommodation:
4-star hotel
Meals:
Breakfast, dinner
Day 4: From Bitti to Aritzo
From the northernmost part of Barbagia to the southernmost: Aritzo. In a stage that crosses this territory that has preserved with great pride its traditions and language. The Barbagia of Bitti and the entire first part of the stage, ridden from north to south, develop in a typical Sardinian hilly environment: short to medium climbs and open spaces with cork forests and pastures. As one proceeds northward, the environment changes - as is often the case on our island - leaving room for more typically mountainous vegetation. Green and very lush. Unexpectedly lush for visitors. To enjoy the shade of the chestnut trees in the forests of southern Barbagia, we have to face longer climbs. In particular, we have two long stretches. One to get to the town of Fonni, the second to reach the highest pass of the day: Tascusì, above the village of Desulo. From there we descend to Tonara, the capital of the famous soft Sardinian nougat made with honey and almonds, finally to Aritzo, our destination. A challenging stage rewarded by a cena Barbaricina, a typical dinner, in the pretty village of Aritzo.
Distance: 125.1km
Elevation gain: 2,508m
Riding terrain: mountain
Riding time: 5h
Accommodation:
4-star hotel
Meals:
Breakfast, dinner
Day 5: From Aritzo to Torre dei Corsari
We used to tell our guests that one of the most beautiful things about Sardinia is its drastic change of environment and landscape: so great that it feels like we have changed countries in the space of 50 kilometers. Today we will have this experience. We get up in the morning, get ready for the journey and start cycling through the mountains of Gennargentu. Soon we start descending through cork forests and open pastures typical of Sardinia, descend to the sea on the west coast, cross a flat region between rice fields and wheat fields, even pass through a fishing village on a salt lagoon, and end the stage right on the sea at Torre dei Corsari. Five Sardinia's in one stage: unbelievable! There are no specific climbs to describe: they're all rather short and we rate this stage as relaxing and very panoramic. A good way to recover before the last two Epic days.
Distance: 92.9km
Elevation gain: 2,139m
Riding terrain: hilly
Riding time: 5h
Accommodation:
3-star hotel
Meals:
Breakfast, dinner
Day 6: Torre dei Corsari to Iglesias
The southwest coast of the island is one of our favorite riding areas. The reason is simple: the geology has made these coasts less suitable for large tourist resorts: there are many more miles of cliffs and far fewer beaches. The few, fantastic, beaches are not easy places to swim in summer because they are often hit by waves. Finally, most of the southwest coast was a former mining area, and the large mining sites have kept tourist investment away. What remains now that mining has been over for many decades? Simple: hundreds of miles of breathtaking ups and downs along the coast, in a wilderness environment far removed from mass tourism and automobile traffic: just the kind of playground for our Epic riders. On this stage we have a long but fairly easy climb to Montevecchio - the capital of the former mining industry - then a nice up and down to Arbus. A long and exhilarating descent to Portixeddu - a very small tourist resort - and finally one of the most beautiful coastal roads in the world. We consider this a rather challenging stage, because there is a little bit of everything: a long climb at the beginning, a technical descent, a series of ups and downs with some rather spicy climbs, even a bit of flat. But you won't forget the beauty of the views from the southwest. The stage ends in one of Sardinia's oldest towns, Iglesias. First off the radar of tourists, it is now getting the acclaim it deserves after an amazing recovery of its historic center and medieval heritage.
Distance: 98.9km
Elevation gain: 1,987m
Riding terrain: hilly
Riding time: 5h
Accommodation:
4-star hotel
Meals:
Breakfast, dinner
Day 7: From Iglesias to Chia
We have talked about different subregions of Sardinia. The last stage is all within a single, rather large subregion that has - again - very different types of environment. The name of this region is Sulcis. Its capital is Iglesias, the city we leave on this stage and which was the epicenter of the Sardinian mining industry. Sulcis had the largest concentration of mining sites on the island for centuries, and the entire economy was based on mining. With the demise of this industry, the Sulcis economy collapsed and only in recent decades have the old activities been replaced - slowly - by tourism. Expect another wild, beautiful and sparsely populated region, and another ideal area for us cyclists. The stage is divided into three distinct sections: it starts flat for about 20 km, then a long, easy climb (6k at 3%) and descent introduce us to the last road jewel of Epic Sardinia: the stretch of coastline from the marina at Teulada to the seaside resort of Chia. Another unforgettable coastal road that our guests would like to continue riding forever. Unfortunately, good things have an end, but our end is always a happy one: we end our trip in a nice hotel on one of the most beautiful beaches in Sardinia, in Chia. And we celebrate the end of another great Epic and the birth of fantastic new friendships!
Distance: 86km
Elevation gain: 1,338m
Riding terrain: hilly
Riding time: 5h
Accommodation:
3-star hotel
Meals:
Breakfast, dinner
Day 8: Goodbye Sardinia
Group transfer to Cagliari airport and end of services.
Food and wine
Travel arrangements
We suggest the following arrival and departure locations. The earlier flights will help us arranging transfers or other activities such as bike rental formalities, bike fitting and all services that are provided individually.
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landing airport: Cagliari
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departure airport: Cagliari
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Transfer time from Airport to hotels is about 2h on landing and 55min on departure.
Packing and Weather
Sardinia is a region known for mild Mediterranean weather. It generally features warm, dry weather which makes these rides particularly enjoyable. The spring and fall can see the highs range from the 18s to 25s (Celsius), while the lows are generally between 14 and 18. Summer highs are generally between 28 and 25. We always recommend bringing along riding layers and even a bit of rain (might happen in Spring and Fall) gear so you can keep riding comfortably throughout the day.
Transfers
Sardinia Cycling arranges group transfers from and to the closest airport for the trip: Cagliari. Individual transfers can be also planned and the cost might depend from the departure or arrival location, from the transfer time and it can also be influenced by the presence of bulky luggage, like a bike case. Other transport option is public transport. About this last opportunity, we suggest you using Google Maps and select 'public transport' from and to your selected destination. In any case, we're ready to help you selecting the quicker, smoother and most cost effective solution.
Go Custom
Sometimes your trip on Sardinia simply isn’t long enough! Extend your stay for the best vacation possible. If you wish to spend a few days in our lovely island either before or after your trip, and need assistance making those plans, we're available help. Self guided and supported trips can be extended too and that can happen in any intermediate location along the itinerary: we can help selecting the best one!
Terrain
One thing riders learn soon is that Sardinia is hilly. The terrain is varied, with gradual and short, or very long and progressive climbs throughout the week. Epic Sardinia is best suited for our 'Challenge' riders. The routes have been designed to avoid busy roadways, that are very rare in a large and sparsely populated island. However, very little urban riding and short sections of busy roads are unavoidable in Sardinia.
The North Sardinia Circle Tour
The North Circle: a road biking tour that includes all the highlights of north Sardinia in one loop.
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If you are looking for rental bike in Cagliari look no further they offer great Canyon bikes and the staff are professional and kind. Super nice people in the cafe bar
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This review is for a bike hire for 2 people. The bikes were picked up in Cagliari and dropped off in Olbia following our multi-day hire with their one way transfer option. The team was highly communicative and accommodating throughout the process including when we were 1 hour late to pick up the bikes on their day off due to the train strikes. The bikes (Canyon Small and Large) were in fantastic shape and we were given extra tubes, tools and locks at no cost and hired a bike rack for our car and high quality helmets. The guys in the shop are absolutely delightful and we were pumped to find them on the roads of Sardinia throughout our rides. Thanks, Gio and team! :)
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Today we visited Sardinia cycling on a whim. We did not have reservations, and they normally deal with more expensive clients. But they accommodated my partner and I, and found some bikes for us to ride, as a result we had a wonderful day. Thank you everyone at Sardinia cycling SRL. 5 stars!
