GALLURA SHORT BREAK BIKE TOUR WILL TAKE YOU FROM COSTA SMERALDA – THE BILLIONAIRE'S PARADISE – TO THE AUTHENTIC, INTERIOR OF SARDINIA.

THE GALLURA SHORT BREAK

north Sardinia circle tour

  • Starting location

    Arzachena

  • Final Destination

    Olbia

  • Tour code

    GALLSB-21

Support levels

Self-guided tour

  • Accommodation

    3 nights at 4-star | 1 nights at Agriturismo | 1 night at 3-star

  • MEALS

    Two dinners; all breakfasts.

  • SUPPORT LEVEL

    Detailed briefing and a Road-Book containing tour details; GPS with preloaded stage routes; telephone assistance during your stay; 10% discount on bike rentals.

  • NOT INCLUDED

    Flight tickets; extras in hotel, etc; drinks during the dinner; city tax (if any); travel insurance; arrival and departure transfer; bike rental; luggage transport.

  • ON REQUEST

    Arrival transfer from Olbia airport to Arzachena € 35 p.p.; departure transfer from Olbia to Olbia airport € 25; supplement for single accommodation € 250 p.p.; bike rental; luggage transfer (€ 528 + 10 per pax - min 2 persons).

Supported tour

  • Accommodation

    3 nights at 4-star | 1 nights at Agriturismo | 1 night at 3-star

  • MEALS

    Two dinners; all breakfasts.

  • SUPPORT LEVEL

    Detailed briefing and a Road-Book containing tour details; GPS with preloaded stage routes; van assistance; mobile workshop; spare bike, bars, gels and electrolytes available on purchase; group transfers from/to Alghero airport; luggage transport; 10% discount on bike rentals.

  • NOT INCLUDED

    Flight tickets; extras in hotel, etc; drinks during the dinner; city tax (if any); travel insurance; private arrival and departure transfer; bike rental.

  • ON REQUEST

    Arrival transfer from Olbia airport to Arzachena € 35 p.p.; departure transfer from Olbia to Olbia airport € 25; supplement for single accommodation € 250 p.p.; bike rental.

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The north of Sardinia is often identified with Costa Smeralda, however, it is so much more. In fact, Costa Smeralda and its "the billionaire's paradise" reputation are atypical and unique in the whole of Sardinia. The Gallura area (the region that surrounds Costa Smeralda) remains authentic and has preserved much of its old economy and traditions. This contrast of Sardinia's center for contemporary elite tourism and the vast ruggedly traditional area that surrounds it is intriging and will show you just how complex this corner of our island is.


The stages are between 60 and 80km and daily elevations are moderate making this tour approachable for most cyclists. The shorter distances ensure you will have time for exploring the lovely destinations as well as some of the highlights along the way. We will guide you across this misunderstood region on lovley roads that connect special locations with wonderful local food, wine and hospitality. That’s the SardiniaCycling modus operandi.

 

Our Route

Day 1: Arrival day

Arrival in Olbia, transfer to accommodation in Arzachena. Dinner at hotel.

DAY 2: RIDE BAJA SARDINIA TO LA MADDALENA ISLAND, TO SANTA TERESA DI GALLURA

45.6km +33km | 628m +461m | 621m +461m | 5h

A long day that includes the exploration of La Maddalena island and all its treasures. We leave the posh Costa Smeralda, and ride northwards to the small tourist resort of Palau. It is a quick ride on a very panoramic road. From there a ferry will take us to La Maddalena island. We will ride around La Maddalena and its twin island, Caprera. This a magical experience allows us to enjoy not only the incredible views, but also interesting pages from Italian history found at the Garibaldi museum and home, where he lived his last years. We will leave La Maddalena on a ferry back to Palau, and from there one last stretch to Santa Teresa di Gallura. A nice town with a view of Corsica. Overnight in a four-star hotel.

DAY 3: RIDE SANTA TERESA DI GALLURA TO AGGIUS

52.5km | 1,204m | 727m | 3,30h

We ride towards Tempio, the most important town in the Gallura region. After a few kilometers in the countryside, the road takes us progressively up to Aglientu, then it turns south on a section with lovely countryside and totally traffic-free roads to Luogosanto. We can take a break in a little bar down Luogosanto before climbing the longest ascent of the day: 8km but with very gentle gradient for most of the time. From there, we make our way to Aggius while riding in the shade of a lovely cork tree forest and then across the so called 'moon valley': a natural monument made of smooth giant granite rocks. That's not the end of this spectacular second day: there are two interesting museums in Aggius - an Ethnographic museum and one that focuses attention on the phenomenon of Bandits in Sardinia. They await your visit. Accommodation and dinner at Agriturismo in Aggius.

Castellammare del Golfo

DAY 4: RIDE AGGIUS TO PATTADA

65.6km | 1,356m | 1,085m | 4h

Sardinia has many sub-regions, and Gallura is just one. Today you'll visit another one, Logudoro, which features very different vistas, terrain, food and traditions. We will have officially left Gallura once we reach the spectacular Coghinas lake, which lies at the bottom of a long gradual descent. Lakes, may be common to our visitors from the north, but are relatively rare here in the Mediterranean. Lake Coghinas is the second largest body of fresh water in Sardinia, however it is the beautiful nature that surounds it that makes it truly special. 

A mere 5km kilometers from the lake we find the small town of Oschiri. A food stop in the church square makes for a perfect Mediterranean experience. It is all up hill from here, we will cross the lonely mountains of the Logudoro region. This section contains most of the day's climbing and ends in the town of Pattada. The name of this town is synonymous with hand-crafted knives made of iron and deer horn. There are workshops everywhere that you can visit to watch these skilled craftsmen. And why not purchase a souvenir? Accommodation in Pattada in a three-star hotel with breakfast.

Bosa downtown

DAY 5: RIDE PATTADA TO OLBIA

81.2km | 749m | 1,498m | 3,15h

We head back to the Gallura coastline crossing hills known for their white wine production. These vineyards mainly produce Vermentino di Gallura,  (the only Sardinian DOCG, for the wine aficionados) a generally dry wine with floral and bitter notes that pairs well with many foods. The capital of Vermentino is the little town of Monti, a perfect place for lunch and to taste this wine right where it’s produced. Careful, not too much wine, as we still have 30km to Olbia. Monti you descend towards Olbia. Lucky for us this last stretch is mostly descending.

Olbia is the most important town in northeast Sardinia. Our visit to this historical town starts with brief ride into the city and past the port and to the hotel, located not far from the bay. You can enjoy a special fish dinner in one of the small restaurants in the old town, while celebrating the end of this short but glorious tour. And this time without a limit on how much wine you can drink. Accommodation in a four-star hotel with breakfast.

To central Sardinia

DAY 6: FAREWELL AND DEPARTURE DAY.

Transfer to airport and departure.

Resources

About places and climbs

Food and wine

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SARDINIACYCLING HOME
Via Vittorio Emanuele, 43
09045 Quartu Sant'Elena | Italy

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