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Italy

Sardinia - Coast to Coast

Self-Guided Leisure Cycling Holiday

Grade

1
2
3
4
5

Duration

8 days

Prices from

£1,235 P.P.
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A lovely cycling holiday in Italy, alternating between gentle coastal roads, vast plains, steep climbs and thrilling descents. This is a challenging ride deep into the heart of Sardinia, requiring a reasonable level of fitness. With access to the Skedaddle App, your luggage transfers and accommodation booked, you can set off at your own pace to explore this outstanding Mediterranean island.
Starting in the south west near Montevecchio, at the agriturismo famous amongst 'Skedaddle aficionados' for its friendly hosts and delicious meals, you'll set off through hills carpeted with lush green Maquis vegetation, past remote mining villages, towards the towering sand dunes of the Costa Verde, where the adventure officially begins.
Over the next five days the route will take you past olive groves and vineyards, unique archaeological sites, through lush green oak woods and up into exhilarating mountain landscapes.
Highlights include a challenging climb through the stunning Gennargentu mountain range and the grand finale of your cycling adventure - cycling through the limestone Supramonte Mountains of Dorgali to descend to the stunning Orosei Gulf, where a swim in the emerald green sea is your just reward!
If you have a day or two to spare why not extend your trip with some trekking or sea kayaking. Our local team can join you for a day of 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.
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Holiday Highlights

  • Piscinas Beach – The highest sand dunes in the Med.
  • Checking out the UNESCO heritage site; Nuraghe of Barumini
  • Riding quiet roads in remote mountain areas
  • Good home-cooked food, washed down with local wine
  • The stunning descent to Cala Gonone on the east coast
  • Constantly changing landscapes from sand dunes to high limestone cliffs

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Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival into Cagliari Airport - Transfer to Montevecchio
  • Meals: Dinner

Following your arrival into Cagliari airport you will be transferred to Montevecchio (approx 1 hour), an abandoned mining town below the Mount Arcuentu range, 3/4 of the way down the island.

Day 2
Loop Ride - Mining Towns & Costa Verde
31 Miles / 50 Kms Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast, dinner
  • Ascent: 950 Metres Approx.

Today’s ride is a journey through varied landscapes, a true taster of what Sardinia has to offer and a great start to your challenge. Setting off from your accommodation, you will start your adventure with a great route countouring the Montevecchio range, offering superb vistas of the fertile Campidano plain and scattered abandoned mining ruins. Leaving the small town of Arbus behind you, the freewheeling descent towards the sand dunes of Piscinas offers more spectacular scenery as well as a deeper insight into the mining history of this unique coastal area.

Reaching Piscinas Beach will be your official start to your Coast to Coast adventure across Sardinia, and you have plenty of time to absorb the remarkable landscape. Around you, the towering sand dunes of Piscinas, surrounded by hills carpeted with lush green Maquis vegetation. Heading north this time, you will keep close to the coast before heading east and riding below the volcanic peak of Mt Arcuentu. This loop ride will take you back to your accommodation where another fine meal of fresh farm produce and plenty of wine will be waiting for you.

Day 3
Montevecchio to Barumini
34 Miles / 55 Kms Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Ascent: 550 Metres Approx.

Heading eastwards, the first section of today’s ride is another freewheeling descent down to the Campidano plain, the largest and most productive in Sardinia. Today your riding will take you through some busy Sardinian towns, such as Guspini, a little town with medieval origins.

Crossing the Campidano plain won’t require much effort, as you ride past cultivated fields and little farm estates. Taking a narrower country lane below the castle of Monreale, you’ll arrive at St Maria delle Acque, once a Roman bath settlement, it is now one of only a few spa areas left in Sardinia.

Another short ride will take you to Sardara. Here, a stop to visit the remains of a pre-historic well temple and adjacent museum, will give you an insight into the Nuragic Bronze Era, an ancient civilisation unique to Sardinia. Following a break in Sardara, you’ll cycle to the most important archeological site on the island, the Nuragic fortress of Barumini. With your hotel near by, this is an ideal stop allowing time to visit the sights tomorrow.

Day 4
Barumini to Laconi
19 Miles / 30 Kms Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Ascent: 550 Metres Approx.

Following breakfast, with only a short ride ahead today, you’ll have some time to visit the Archeological site of Su Nuraxi and the near by museum.

When you‘re ready to hop on your bikes, you’ll set off on today’s route taking in a superb selection of winding roads over the Marmilla Hills, riding past olive groves, vineyards, small farms and sleepy villages. Plenty of time to absorb the Mediterranean atmosphere and perfumes as you gradually ride up towards the sleepy hill town of Laconi.

Your final destination for the day will be a family run B&B in the centre of Laconi, where you will have time to explore the beautiful park and castle before dinner.

Day 5
Laconi to Seulo
31 Miles / 50 Kms Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast, dinner
  • Ascent: 1150 Metres Approx.

Before setting off today, take a stroll around the back streets of Laconi and pay a visit to the lovely gardens surrounding the Aymerich Castle. Then when you‘re good to go, you’ll leave this quiet town behind, taking a winding road through lush oak woods, gradually climbing on a car-free road towards the Gennargentu range in the very heart of Sardinia. Reaching the 1040 metre pass, you will have climbed one of the highest points of the trip.

The landscape will have now altered and is relatively barren and wild and the sky filled with birds of prey circling in the thermals in search of prey. The un-spoilt nature of this area makes it a fascinating area for naturalists, walkers and cyclists alike. It is an area that most vividly reflects the ancient character of the island. Shepherd trails and huts litter the landscape and villages perch over steep sided valleys. Tonight’s accommodation, will be on the outskirts of the town of Seulo.

Day 6
Seulo to Villagrande Strisaili
38 Miles / 65 Kms Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Ascent: 1150 Metres Approx.

A combination of climbs and descents will take you through another day of exhilarating landscapes and deeper into the heart of Sardinia. Utilising mountain roads, you’ll have fun exploring the Montarbu range, as you edge your way towards the fascinating mountain peak of Perda Liana. Once more the vistas of the surrounding mountain ranges are outstanding, with the highest peak in Sardinia, Punta Lamarmora (1868 metres) forever present in the distance. The silence is broken only by the sound of sheep bells, cows and goats. You might even be lucky enough to spot royal kites, vultures, rock thrushes and pipits as you cycle along. The morning climb is rewarded by an afternoon descent towards Lake Flumendosa, one of the biggest reservoirs in Sardinia.

Contouring the lake, you’ll soon reach your next accommodation in the town of Villagrande Strisaili. Yes you’ve guessed it, lots more delicious home made pasta and wine to be sampled!

Day 7
Villagrande Strisaili to Cala Gonone
46 Miles / 83 Kms Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Ascent: 1400 Metres Approx.

Today you’ll experience the grand finale of your cycling adventure with superb riding through the wild and rugged landscape of the Supramonte of Dorgali. Leaving the agriturismo, the initial part of the day will involve skirting the Urzulei range, averaging 800 metres, until you reach the high plateau just above the town of Talana. Here you will be in for a great surprise! More climbs and descents will take you through Urzulei and finally Genna Silana pass.

You are now in true wilderness. The Supramonte limestone rocks will be towering above you, whilst wild boar and horses graze in the lush meadows. It’s here that your cycling reaches its thrilling climax, as you enjoy the final 25 Kms of superb downhill, surrounded by rocky pinnacles, centenary juniper trees and abandoned shepherd huts, taking you all the way to the coastal town of Cala Gonone.

There are many places in town where you will be able to enjoy your final Sardinian feast, wine and music.

Day 8
Departure from Cala Gonone - Transfer to Cagliari Airport
  • Meals: Breakfast

Depending on flight schedules, time is set aside to wander around Cala Gonone or to simply laze on the beach, before you are met and transferred to Cagliari airport (approx. 3 hours) for your return flight home.

If you have a day or two to spare why not extend your trip with some trekking or sea kayaking exploring the rugged coastline, sea caves and white sandy beaches which stretch both north and south from Cala Gonone.

Our local team can join you for a days 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.

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The Cycling

Terrain

You will be cycling across an ever-changing landscape, along different types of terrain, offering new challenges as the days go by. On the first cycling day, close to the coast, the tarmac road gives way to smooth dirt and heads inland.

Later in the week, you’ll enter the mountainous region of the island, ascending into higher territory. Every day you will be climbing through stunning landscapes, with the gradients never being too steep.

Mostly you’ll be riding on quiet, sweeping smooth roads. A gradual 25 km / 15.5 miles descent to the east coast from Silana pass (1000m/3280ft) is the perfect end to your ride in Sardinia.

Short sections of the route see you riding on gravel roads, therefore we recommend a hybrid bike for this tour (not suitable for road bikes).

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Leisure Cycling Grade

1
2
3
4
5
Grade 4: Active

Distances generally between 30 and 50 miles per day / 48 and 80 kms per day

For those who cycle frequently

Will include some long and / or steep climbs

Includes varying terrain (some sections may see you cycling over uneven, unpaved or loose ground)

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?

You ride quite frequently at home and perhaps enjoy cycling as one of your forms of exercise. Weekends will occasionally see you spending the day in the saddle exploring routes which take in some steep climbs. These tours may also see you riding over varying terrain and so it’s preferable if you have some experience of riding on uneven / unpaved ground. We’d generally expect those on a Grade 4 holiday to be fit and healthy, and ready to take on an achievable challenge.

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Dates & Prices

Daily departures available. The season prices below are per person and are applicable for all start dates between and inclusive of the stated dates.

2023 25 Mar – 30 Oct (excluding dates from 18 Jun – 26 Aug)

Season 1 – £1390 25 Mar – 05 Apr, 15 Apr – 17 Jun and 10 Sep – 30 Oct

Season 2 – £1515 06 Apr – 14 Apr and 27 Aug – 09 Sep

Alternatively for a great value holiday choose one of our scheduled departures below.

Start Date
End Date
Duration
Price p.p.
Start Date
30/09/2023
Return Date
07/10/2023
Duration
8 days
Price
£1,235.00
Choose your date
Start Date
End Date
Duration
Price p.p.
Start Date
Return Date
--/--/----
Duration
8 days
Price
£1,390.00

Whats Included Tick

A) Accommodation (shared twin / double en-suite rooms) in small hotels / agriturismi / B&Bs

B) Meals as per the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)

C) Local representative (with welcome meeting)

D) Access to the Skedaddle App for holiday information and navigation

E) Luggage transfers

F) Airport transfer on scheduled arrival day from Cagliari airport (CAG)

G) Airport transfer on scheduled departure day to Cagliari airport (CAG)

What's not Included Cross

A) 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/archaeological sites and other attractions en-route

I) City tax to be paid at each accommodation in cash (amount varies)

J) Airport transfers on days other than the scheduled arrival / departure days

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The Essentials

Travel Options

Your tour starts in Montevecchio and finishes in Cala Gonone.

Airport transfers are included in the cost of your holiday. We ask that you fly into and back from Cagliari airport (CAG). Please aim to arrive between 09.00 and 16.00 and depart between 12.30 and 19.00.

If you are joining one of our scheduled departures We will provide arrival and departure times, along with suitable flight options, as and when more flight schedules are released.

Please check with Skedaddle before making any travel arrangements.

Please note If you make travel arrangements that fall outside of the above time windows there may be an additional charge for your transfers.

Accommodation

We use a range of small 3* hotels and where possible we opt for agriturismi (small rural guesthouses) or B&Bs. Our carefully selected hosts will ensure you are greeted with a warm welcome at the end of a day’s ride.

At the very beginning and end of the season tourism tends to be quiet and, although that means some of the facilities aren’t at full capacity, you will have the routes largely to yourself and can experience the island away from any crowds. There is an upgrade supplement available if you’d like to spend one evening in a 4* hotel. Please select this at the time of booking.

Bike Hire

If you don’t own a suitable bike or would prefer to avoid bringing your own we have bikes available to rent.

These bikes are typically Giant Roam hybrids (or equivalent). If a small frame is needed we will provide Liv Roves (likely to have a low, step through frame)

We also have electric bikes available to rent on request. It may take us a day or so to confirm availability so please let us know as soon as possible if you’d like to take this option.

Rental bikes will be provided with a pannier rack and 1 pannier bag, a phone mount, a water bottle holder, a puncture repair kit (with a spare inner tube), a bike lock and bike pump.

We can provide a helmet locally on request, please let us know if you’d like to rent one when you make your booking.

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