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- Biking tours
- Epic Sardinia 24
- Epic Sardinia Classic 22
- Ultimate Sardinia
- The North Sardinia Circle Tour
- West coast of Sardinia biking tour
- Epic Sardinia - Gravel Edition
- The Diagonal tour
- Gallura short break
- Max Leopold Wagner tour
- Gennargentu Off-Road Traverse
- The Ogliastra cross
- Gallura short break on e-bike
- Max Leopold Wagner E-bike tour
- The West Coast E-bike Tour
- The Diagonal E-bike Tour
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- Italy Cycling Tours
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- Epic Sardinia
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Number of days: 9 | -
Departure: Alghero | - Return: Pula |
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Level: Challenge | -
Fly in: Alghero | -
Fly out: Cagliari
total distance & elevation
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804.2 KM ...... -
14,034 M
Our Route
Day 1: Welcome to Sardinia
Arrival at Alghero airport, transfer to Alghero, check-in and welcome.
Accommodation:
4-star hotel
Meals:
Breakfast
Day 2: From Alghero to Santu Lussurgiu
On the opening stage, you’ll experience the special connection between coastline and mountain rides in Sardinia. You start from Alghero and ride south to Bosa on one of the most renowned coastal roads on Sardinia.
The medieval village of Bosa is one of the best preserved on the island and it’s worth visiting. Enjoy an unforgettable ride through the narrow streets of the old town and stop for a quick meal. After lunch you leave the sea behind you as you head inland.
The approach is trough the smooth hills of the Nurra region, up to Cuglieri. From there you continue climbing into the mountains of Montiferru. You finish the day descending into the small gem of Santu Lussurgiu, a small medieval town where a Sardinian traditional dinner and a very comfortable accommodation await you.
Distance: 85.8km
Elevation gain: 1,967m
Riding terrain: hilly
Riding time: 5h
Accommodation:
3-star hotel
Meals:
Breakfast, dinner
Day 3: From Santu Lussurgiu to Fonni
We ride deep into the core of Sardinia, the region called Barbagia: an area of Sardinia that has had the least external influence and so preserves - with pride - its strong traditions.
The stage is split into two different parts. The first half is quite easy: downhill in the beginning, then flattish as we head towards the center of the island riding eastwards.
The second part is much harder: after the bridge over Tirso lake, we start a series of long and progressive climbs that take us from the western to the central portion of the Gennargentu mountain range, within the Barbagia region.
We'll ride through many small, lazy villages as we approach the most important centers of Barbagia, such as Tonara - known for superb nougat - and eventually Fonni, a winter holiday resort in the heart of a Med island. A comfortable accommodation at three-star hotel in Fonni.
Distance: 103.8km
Elevation gain: 2,294m
Riding terrain: hilly
Riding time: 5h
Accommodation:
3-star hotel
Meals:
Breakfast
Day 4: From Fonni To Posada
We leave Fonni and ride north toward the largest town of central Sardinia and one of the administrative capitals: Nuoro. The first 50km have a descending trend and despite two climbs, you lose about 1000m of elevation.
From there we begin the first of the two main climbs of the day: 12 kilometres to Orune, and later a an amazing climb along the - extraordinarily white - Molte Albo mountain range. Many of the peaks of that famous limestone bastion are over a thousand metres high; evergreen Mediterranean scrub is all around. After a long descent, you'll find the valley of the Torpè lake and nowadays a natural park oasis: almost eight thousand hectares of unspoilt forests, trails, springs, rivers and ‘dunes’ in the territory of Bitti, Lodè, Posada.
Posada is another historical village that features a nice old town and one of Sardinia’s best preserved medieval fortresses - Castello della Fava - that rises up from the village and is rife with ancient mysteries and legends. Sounds amazing, doesn't it? That's why Posada is also the place where we've arranged for your accommodation in a three-star hotel.
Distance: 130.6km
Elevation gain: 2,116m
Riding terrain: hilly
Riding time: 6h
Accommodation:
3-star hotel
Meals:
Breakfast
Day 5: From Posada to Santa Maria Navarrese
We leave Posada and ride southwards on a very easy first part of the stage. We cross through the village of Irgoli before we reach Galtellì. A stop in this awesome old town, will immerse us in the history of the island. Galtellì has been awarded the Touring Club Italiano’s orange flag rating for excellence. The streets, traditions and sensations of the old town center inspired the author and Nobel Prize Grazia Deledda when she set her book Canne al Vento here. After a good cappuccino we keep riding to the south.
Soon after after Dorgali we reach the main climb of the day: it's about 20km long and it will take us atop Genna Silana Pass. Unfortunatly for KOM hunters the Strava KOM was set during a stage of the 2017 Giro d'Italia.
Mentioning is not just a joke: as on that day in 2017 it wasn't just 150 of the best pro riders racing up this climb, but there was also a massive tailwind. This makes any attempt to break the record - for the entertainment of your Strava followers - almost certain to end in failure.
All levity aside, after reaching the top you will be rewarded with a lunch stop right in front of the Gorropu gorge, the deepest canyon in Europe.
A thrilling descent will take us back to the coastline, at Santa Maria Navarrese. Another glorious day of cycling ends in a comfortable accommodation at a three-star hotel.
Distance: 111km
Elevation gain: 1,706m
Riding terrain: hilly
Riding time: 5h
Accommodation:
3-star hotel
Meals:
Breakfast
Day 6: From Santa Maria Navarrese to Orroli
Mark this day in the calendar: this is the Queen stage of the tour. Today you will accumulate nearly 3000m of climbing with more than a third of that coming in one early stretch, the Talana climb. After years of riding in Sardinia we can say with without hesitation that this is the nicest and one of the toughest climbs we have here.
In fact the ascent, that tops at 1100m on Monte Genziana, starts very low, at only 15m ASL. From there it's about 17km up, the first five km is a nice gradual warm up for when the climb suddenly appears like a wall in front of us, leaving a 'mere 12km', with an average gradient of 6.9% - a piece of cake - and the only 'Hors Catégorie' climb on the island, for those who are more into the pro cycling stats. The Talana is painful for the legs, but also a joy for the eyes: the views will take your breathe away.
But the show is not over as this stage features also the incredible Mont'Arbu road, another gem among the Sardinian roads. The old SS389 that winds along the eastern aspect of Gennargentu mountain range. It's a very remote and wild segment, there aren't many roads like it in Europe. Every time we ride it, we experience the true privilege of being cyclist, as we can take our time and enjoy all the beauty and freedom that our sport can grant. After this memorable stretch of asphalt, a few more downhills and ascents separate us from our destination: Orroli and it's family-run Albergo diffuso where we will have a nice typical dinner.
Distance: 123.6km
Elevation gain: 2,891m
Riding terrain: hilly
Riding time: 6h
Accommodation:
3-star hotel
Meals:
Breakfast, dinner
Day 7: From Orroli to Portixeddu
What we like best - as cyclists - are those days on the bike where you get surprised by dramatic changes of setting. Today is one of these days! Leaving Orroli, the first 60km are on easy rolling hills, as soon as we cross the SS131 - the main Sardinian highway - we meet a long, totally flat section, crossing the cultivated feilds of the central western Sardinia. Riding through Guspini signals we are once again entering a mountainous region. This is the ancient mining region of southwest Sardinia: an area exploited for diverse minerals from the time of the Phoenicians until the 1970s, and thus neglected by tourism. Since the closure of the mines, nature has worked to reclaim much of this land. Mass tourism didn't develop here due to the lack infrastructure and... well, you just need to wait and see the amazing outcome of this historical process. From Guspini on, we cycle through one of the wildest areas on the island and end the ride at an awesome beach in Portixeddu. Today you'll again sleep by the sea, at a three-star hotel in Portixeddu.
Distance: 120km
Elevation gain: 1,443m
Riding terrain: hilly
Riding time: 5h
Accommodation:
3-star hotel
Meals:
Breakfast, dinner
Day 8: From Portixeddu to Pula
If someone were to ask me one road to include in a dream cycle tour, I would struggle between the west coast road that cuts through the old mining region between Fluminimaggiore and Nebida, and the long southerly stretch that goes from Porto Teulada to the awesome sandy beaches of Chia. Rather than choose I have combined them to create the last stage of the Ultimate Sardinia.
You will start and finish the day riding these remarkable undulating coastal roads. The middle of the section is easy on flat roads or rolling terrain. It's hard to describe what you'll see without piling up adjectives, and to do so does this stage a disservice. We truly believe this stage should be on every cyclists bucket list. This series of up and downs will bring you past beaches, cliffs and coves with the stunning turquoise sea as your constant companion.
The trip ends in Pula, where the last hotel is! Dinner will be a great occasion to do something that often happens at the end of our trips: arguing about which stage was the best. You will find that this can be just as strenuous as the queen stage of the tour.
Distance: 129.5km
Elevation gain: 1,618m
Riding terrain: hilly
Riding time: 6h
Accommodation:
3-star hotel
Meals:
Breakfast
Day 9: Goodbye Sardinia
Transfer to Cagliari airport and end of services.
Travel arrangements
We suggest the following arrival an departure locations and the earlier flights will help us arranging transfers or other services like bike rental formalities, bike fitting and all services that are provided individually.
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landing airport: Alghero
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departure airport: Cagliari
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Transfer time from Airport to hotel on arrival is about 15 minutes. On departure is about 50 minutes.
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: Alghero/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. The Ultimate 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.
Epic Sardinia Classic 22
A six-stage tour that combines some of the most challenging and rewarding roads in Sardinia
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Grazie Giovanni! Wir haben zwei Premium Rennräder für zwei Tage ausgeliehen und waren mit der Qualität der Räder und vor allem des Services mehr als nur zufrieden. Sardinien auf Rädern erkunden ist genial!
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Sardinien Cycling ist ausserordentlich professionell organisiert. Super Bikes zum Mieten, sehr freundliches und kompetentes Personal! Auch der Lieferservice ist enorm praktisch und zuverlässig. Einmal Sardinia Cycling immer Sardinia Cycling 👍
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Ein fantastischer Fahrradverleiher, tolles, nettes und sehr kompetentes Personal. Sehr flexibel und vor allem Hilfsbereit. Großes Dankeschön für den Service und für meine nicht gewöhnliche Anfrage, ihr habt mir sehr geholfen. Wir sehen uns bald wieder. Große Empfehlung für alle die, die sich ein Fahrrad leihen wollen oder sonst was benötigen. Es gibt auch ein dazugehöriges Café, was jeden Radsportler anspricht!
