Holiday Highlights
- Enjoy a mix of biking from coastal to mountain routes
- Fun downhill through a limestone landscape towards Cala Gonone
- Riding ridgelines on the Urzulei range with 360 views
- Delicious home-cooked food, washed down with tasty local wine
- Riding through the “Blue Zone”
- Refreshing dips in the irresistible clear blue sea
The MTB-ing in Sardinia was spectacular and I am a better biker for it!!
Itinerary
Following our arrival in Olbia we transfer to La Caletta which boasts a huge white beach just above the northernmost tip of the Gulf of Orosei. On arrival we’ll have time to meet our guides and set up our bikes before sitting down to enjoy our first delicious Sardinian meal and a refreshing glass of local wine.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
- Ascent: 900 Metres Approx.
Today’s journey beings gently heading south along relatively flat terrain along long sandy beaches. We won’t be on flat for long though, as a mix of forest roads and single track takes us up into the limestone region of Dorgali and onwards to our destination of Cala Gonone.
After our initial start, a fun coastal roller-coaster ride through a dense pine forest towards Capo Comino allows for great views as we pass huge granite rocky outcrops and some of the most beautiful beaches in Sardinia along the way. This area is well known for its remote beaches: each one more stunning than the next.
Next up, we’ll take on some fun, flowing trails as we pass through the natural reserve of Bidderosa, famous for its lagoons and white sandy beaches. For our next stop we head inland briefly to Orosei, where we can grab ourselves a well-deserved break and enjoy a coffee or ice cream.
After another coastal stretch has warmed us up we head inland for the final leg of the day past some bronze age nuraghe dwellings and the Ispinigoli caves. The final singletrack descent to the coast and Cala Gonone is a special treat and ends today’s ride in style. Tonight’s accommodation is at a small hotel close to the sea front. With the evening meal taken in town, it’s time to try out one of the many excellent restaurants.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
- Ascent: 2,000 Metres Approx.
From Cala Gonone, we embark on a challenging day’s riding, leaving the coast behind and gradually climbing into the oak forest of Givine.
The climb is initially on paved road, through some stunning limestone mountains. A challenging loose gravel track with some steep uphill sections is more than rewarded with a great technical singletrack on the opposite side leading onto a tarmac road, from where we climb up gradually to the Genna Silana Pass at 1017 m.
A coffee stop at the little café at the pass is a must before we head off onto our next off-road section into the Supramonte di Urzulei.
Here it feels like entering the wild west where wild pigs and horses graze freely in a barren landscape of rock and pastures, and birds of prey soar in the thermals above our heads. After a last glimpse of the east coast in the far distance from our panoramic viewpoint (1,350m) our fast descent on a stony, loose gravel trail leads us to the oak forest below.
A final 10km of ups and downs brings us to our accommodation and a no doubt a refreshingly chilled Ichnusa Beer.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
- Ascent: 1,500 Metres Approx.
This morning, the artificial Lake Flumendosa perched high up in the mountains is soon ticked off the schedule as we head towards the rocky peak of Perda Liana. Climbing gradually, the natural monument of Perda Liana will edge closer before we finally reach its base. From here we easily reach the panoramic viewpoint from where the highest mountain ranges in Sardinia, as well as the ranges to the south we’ll be crossing in the next few days are all visible.
Moving on we have a fun challenge as we ride down a steep fire break and enjoy a descent on forest trails which leads us to the forestry land of Monte Arbu National Park. Here there is more forest singletrack before a gravel road takes us to river valley of the Niala Natural Park nestled under the ‘Ogliastra Tacchi’, whose large limestone peaks are covered by dense oak wood.
After climbing up from the little river we head to Gairo Taquisara from where an abandoned railway line takes us to Ulassai. Located at the bottom of a limestone cliff with views to the sea, this small mountain village is a great place to end the day.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
- Ascent: 1,350 Metres Approx.
Today we head back to the east coast, leaving behind the mountainous and rocky landscape of the dramatic “Tacchi di Ulassai”. Our day’s riding takes us towards the vineyard region of Jerzu that produces the delicious Cannonau wine that Sardinia is so well known for. More undulating routes and country lanes through the day lead us further towards the coast, and the lower fertile hills of Cardedu and its long sandy beach.
After a well-deserved swim and spot of relaxation we continue south to the little cove of Coccoroci on an easy section of road before climbing steeply on a track with a final off-road switchback descent towards Tertenia beach. The accommodation is not far from the coast and dinner is another fabulous meal of fresh local produce.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
- Ascent: 800 Metres Approx.
Our route today takes us through a change in the landscape as beautiful granite mountains come into view. We begin with a cheeky climb on a dirt road that we have grown accustomed to. Then, we’ll descend deep through a valley past vineyards, where we can stop along the way to explore archaeological sites dating back to Nuragic times.
After we have put our archaeology brush away, we’ll jump back on our bikes and head back towards the coast, riding along the ridge of a hilly range with spectacular open views of the coast. We’ll take another fun roller-coaster ride descent down before arriving at our destination for tonight: Muravera.
Muravera is a bustling town, known across the island of Sardinia for its aromatic citrus fruits.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Ascent: 300 Metres Approx.
Our final day of riding is upon us. We will leave Muravera on a section of country dirt roads through plentiful orange groves that take us out to lagoons with pink flamingos. We’ll experience fun trails as we explore Capo Ferrato and its secluded coves on our way to the lighthouse.
We’ve planned a great morning of riding before ending our traverse near Costa Rei beach. We’ve allowed for plenty of free time this afternoon to enjoy the beautiful beaches and cool off in the crystal clear waters so after a delicious locally sourced lunch there will be plenty of time to relax and enjoy the coast.
We re-group this evening for a last celebratory meal of the tour, again plenty of delicious local fare that we’ve come to expect from our north to south journey.
- Meals: Breakfast
Our trip ends this morning as we transfer towards the capital Cagliari and the airport for our flights home.
If you have a day or two to spare why not extend your trip with some trekking or sea kayaking exploring more of the rugged coastline, sea caves and white sandy beaches. Our local team can join you for a day’s guiding or we can provide the information and equipment to allow you to enjoy the routes self-guided, just give us a call for further info.
Gallery
The Cycling
Terrain
The beauty of a journey across an island from north to south is the continuous changing landscape and variety of terrain, offering new experiences and challenges each day.
Sardinia is predominantly mountainous and hilly, composed of large plateaus and massifs crossed by deep valleys with rushing streams. As the mountains reach the coast they alternate with flat marshy lands with long sandy beaches, the result is a daily succession of climbs and descents interspersed with some flat sections riding on a variety of terrain.
Starting in the north east, the terrain will alternate between dirt country roads, coastal trails and forest tracks with sections of riding along sandy beaches. As we bike further into the heart of Sardinia, we enter the mountainous region, ascending over the following days into higher territory. Here we follow mountain mule tracks, forest tracks and cross streams, biking through dense oak woods and over open mountain passes. The occasional tarmac road will help link these sections together.
As we ride back closer to the east coast, mountains give way to hills and country lanes through vineyards and fruit plantations, again through marshland and finally reaching the long sandy beach near Costa Rei.
This is holiday is E-MTB only. For more information about riding an electric bike on our holidays please click here
Mountain Biking Grade
25-50 miles / 40-80 kms per day
Aspects of both our grade 3 and 4 holidays
For mountain bikers with some experience of singletrack and steeper terrain
May include rocky features and switchbacks
Our grading guidelines have been carefully created based on our many years of cycling experience, as well as customer feedback from our trips. Of course, if you're still struggling to figure out where you fit on the scale, do feel free to give us a quick call and we'll be more than happy to help!
For more information about our grading system click here.
Is this suitable for you?
Holidays that are graded as a 3-4, will have aspects of both our grade 3 and 4 holidays. If you have experience of off road riding on a variety of terrain, and would like a taste of more challenging terrain, a grade 3-4 trip could be for you. Terrain will include singletrack and steep sections (both up and down) which require more bike handling ability. Shorter technical and demanding features such as rocks, roots and tricky climbs will be encountered on occasion on most days. A day’s ride can see you on the trails for around 8 hours (with breaks) and covering between 25-50 miles depending on the terrain. If you’re generally fit and manage to ride frequently this could be the level for you.
For more information about the grading of this holiday in particular, please check out the terrain section which will give you some specifics of what to expect on this tour.
Guides superb and really made the holiday with their endless enthusiam, humour and hard work.
Dates & Prices
Secure Your Holiday With A Deposit
Book now with a £400 deposit and nothing more to pay until 60 days before departure. Choose a date to start your booking and see all prices, including bike hire and single room supplements.
Whats Included
A) Accommodation (shared twin / double en suite rooms) in small hotels / agriturismi
B) Meals as per the itinerary (B-Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
C) Full tour service, including Skedaddle guides
D) Unless stated, at least one leader qualified in first aid
E) Support vehicle, for tired bikers and luggage transfers
F) GPX files available on request
G) Airport transfer on scheduled arrival day from Olbia airport (OLB)
H) Airport transfer on scheduled departure day to Cagliari airport (CAG)
I) Financial Protection through ABTOT
What's not Included
A) E-Bike rental (available if required)
B) Flights and charges for travelling with your bike (if applicable)
C) Single room (available if required)
D) Travel insurance
E) Meals not stated in the itinerary
F) Personal clothing and equipment
G) Personal expenditure (souvenirs, bar bills, hotel facilities etc)
H) Entrance fees to museums and other attractions en-route
I) Airport transfers on days other than the scheduled arrival / departure days
Private Departures
Are you keen to only travel with your family or friends? Struggling to find the right date? Well, we can organise a private departure for this tour and tailor aspects to suit your group's specific needs. Contact our friendly team and we'll help you turn your dream into reality.
The Essentials
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The lowdown on eMTB
Find out more from our experts about our range of Electric Mountain Bike Holidays!
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Reviews
Cathy, LondonI was very impressed from start to finish with my dealings with SkeddadleThis was the first skeddadle holiday we have been on and we will definitely be back. I have been on a couple of cycle trips with other companies and can safely say that this was by far the best: in terms of organisation, attention to detail and the overall ‘customer’ experience. It felt professional, was beautifully organised and the guys went over and above the call of duty. my husband had a few mechanicals and these were sorted with minimum fuss despite it being a pain and additional work/faff.
Our guide Alessandro was fantastic. Nothing was too much trouble, he was a great guide: clear explanations at the start of the day together with clear instructions on the trail. He engendered total confidence and is a geniunely lovely guy! He and his team made the holiday for sure.
The MTB-ing in Sardinia was spectacular and I am a better biker for it!!
Ian, EssexFirst class tour leader...A proper cross-country journey across a very wide variety of terrain and trails in remote mountains. Some stiff climbs on single and double track, fast flowing undulating traverses across ridges and through forests, and some fun technical descents. This is a tough trip which requires a good level of fitness and technical skills, but it is very rewarding. The evening meals in some of the more out of the way hotels were truly memorable – put a smile on all our faces.
We had a first-class tour leader – friendly, knowledgeable about all aspects of the route, the terrain and the island, and he worked extremely hard to ensure we all had an enjoyable trip, as did the other guides. He was extremely professional in the way in which he made decisions about route selection when we encountered some poor weather and organised a visit to an amazing cave when the decision was made not to ride one day because of the thunderstorm risk. Other guides were always encouraging and fun to ride with.
Russell, LondonA great trip...I’d worked so hard all summer and this Skedaddle trip was my focus to get me through it. The holiday and Skedaddle lived up to the expectation. Thank you for a great trip in a lovely island.
Elaine, BirminghamA trip that's set the standard!This, my first trip with Skedaddle, has really set the standard. I felt that all of the local tour guides went out of their way to help the group, tell us about their beautiful country and make sure we enjoyed the trip. They provided more help with bike repairs/cleaning than I expected to see. Also makes a difference having somewhere nice to relax and dry off after a long day’s cycling, and helps to justify the price of the tour. There was delicious fresh food virtually everywhere we went!
Clinton, KentGreat food!The accommodation was of good standard but there were some limits due to availability in rural areas. I am amazed you managed to find acommodation in some of the areas we stopped! Italian style breakfasts were good, a fine provision of lunches each day (a mini feast every time) – food, food and even more food! It was a good job we were burning all those calories!
Alex, County DurhamExcellent...Even though it’s at the upper end of my holiday budget it was worth it in every way – the biking was challenging (but enjoyable) on a beautiful island with great guides, excellent food and very good company.