Highlights
- Checking out the UNESCO heritage site of Barumini Nuraghe
- Enjoying the long descent to Fluminimaggiore and Masua
- Sampling local specialties at Carloforte, on St Pietro island
- Riding along the Nebida coastline and marvelling at the view of Pan di Zucchero
- Experiencing the friendliness and hospitality of the Sardinian people
- Discovering the white beaches along the south-west coastal road
This was truly the trip of a lifetime - we enjoyed every minute! From the moment I first called Saddle Skedaddle to inquire about the trip and on throughout the process the service was prompt, friendly and excellent.
Itinerary
- Meals: Dinner
Following your arrival into Cagliari airport, we’ll meet you and make the hour or so transfer to our accommodation in the village of Orroli. The rest of the day will be spent organising bikes and going through the route with your guides to make sure all is well for the week ahead, as well as getting to know the rest of the group.


- Meals: Breakfast, dinner
- Ascent: 690 Metres Approx.
Leaving our accommodation, we’ll start the day exploring the plains of the Marmilla, a hilly region which extends from the outskirts of Cagliari towards Oristano. Since Roman times, this fertile part of the island has been the centre of cereal cultivation as well as olives and grapes. Today, bread making in this region still follows ancient recipes, with exceptional results! Here we will visit the archeological site of Barumini and nearby museum. This Nuragic site is the most important on the island. Built in the Bronze Age, around the 15th century BC, this fortress and its surrounding village demonstrate an incredible architectural feat: massive basalt blocks of rock, built up into three storey towers, internal staircases, outlook posts,courtyards and even an ancient sauna!
Cycling south west we’ll then curve around the Giara, a high volcanic plateau, populated by hundreds of wild horses. Riding on we’ll find ourselves cycling over rolling hills of vineyards and olive groves, leading us to the village of Collinas.
Leaving the hills behind, we’ll venture down to the Campidano Plain, the biggest of the island, making our first stop in the town of Sardara. The closeness to a hot spring area and the quality of its fresh water has made Sardara, and specifically its well, a sacred area since ancient times – it’s believed that Nuragic people venerated the water as having healing properties. Your hotel is set near the Roman remains of the old thermal baths. Time to enjoy the spa facilities before dinner!
Show Profile

- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Ascent: 615 Metres Approx.
Setting off from Sardara and its rural church of St Maria delle Acque, we’ll leave this thermal water oasis behind us and cycle on, across the plain, passing Pabillonis. This is an agricultural area and the fields around us may be growing artichokes, wheat or saffron, offering a tapestry of colours and perfumes.
Heading westward, Gonnosfanadiga is nestled below the rocky eastern spurs of the Iglesiente region and is known for its olives and olive oil. If the timing is right, a stop at a local cafè and patisserie will allow us time to sample some of the local traditional cakes. Leaving the plain it’s time to get into a smaller gear as we head back into the hills, just below Mt Linas, before reaching our accommodation for the night, a delightful agriturismo offering some superb homemade pasta, home-cured meats, cheeses and of course olive oil and wine included. What better way to finish off a good day on the bike?
Show Profile

Day 4 Arbus to St Pietro Island
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
- Ascent: 900 Metres Approx.
Leaving the agriturismo, we’ll cycle on towards the coast. A superb 8 kms of gentle downhill riding with beautiful mountain views is the perfect start to our day. Cycling along the long sandy beach of Portixeddu, we’ll have time to stop for a brief swim before continuing.
The little hamlet of Buggerru, once a thriving mining coastal town, is now trying to survive on few resources: fishing and the odd traveller who ventures this way. Cycling on, the road takes us along the remote coastal route towards the towering limestone pinnacles and cliffs of Masua. This is a free climber’s heaven, with excellent routes starting from sea level towering up to the sky. From here we’ll pedal onwards to Nebida, where a short break for coffee at the local bar with an amazing panoramic view is called for, and then onto Gonnesa and Portovesme. At Portovesme we board the ferry to the Island of St Pietro and its (only) town, Carloforte, where we will stay for the night.
Show ProfileDay 5 St Pietro Island to St Antioco Island
- Meals: Breakfast
- Ascent: 615 Metres Approx.
The town of Carloforte, on St Pietro, was founded by the coral fishers of Genoa, who moved here from Tunisia where they had lived since the middle of the 16th century. Their influence is felt in the architecture of the island as well as the cuisine. With its pastel coloured houses set along narrow cobbled lanes, Carloforte is a fascinating place to stroll around. The island is well known for its fishing community, in particular tuna fishing. Since ancient times, fishermen have awaited the arrival of schools of tuna that stream by along the same route, not far from the islands. In the morning we will go out for a ride to majestic Capo Sandalo and the sandy beach of La Caletta, after which we return to Carloforte. Here you are free to please yourself for your lunch break, choosing one of the lovely fish restaurants or a delicious panino from one of the many bars. Another short journey on a ferry will take us across to the island of St Antioco, where a short ride will take us to the town, and our accommodation for the night.
Show Profile

Day 6 St Antioco Island to Teulada
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Ascent: 730 Metres Approx.
It’s well worth spending a few hours visiting some of the hidden archaeological sites of St Antioco. The development of the area in fact goes back to the Nuragic times, but only truly thrived when the Phoenicians founded it as “Sulki” in 259 BC. Worth a visit is the Punic Necropolis and Tophet, as well as the Catacombs below the Church of St Antioco.
Leaving the island by the causeway across the bay of Palmas, we’ll carry on cycling towards the Sulcis mountains, riding through the fertile, rolling hills around Trattalias and Santadi. As we cycle past vineyard after vineyard, it will become obvious that we are entering the vine region of the Carignano grapes. From here the undulating road winds its way 8miles/13kms to Teulada, passing some remote farming hamlets and at points affording some great views across the south coast.
Show Profile

- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
- Ascent: 530 Metres Approx.
Our final day in the saddle will see us cycling along a roller coaster road towards Pula. The Costa del Sud is a wonderful 20 km spectacle of twisting, turning road above rugged cliffs that plunge into the deep blue sea. There are many outlook points and small sandy coves to stop and enjoy the sea. Cala Tuerredda is one of the most stunning beaches along this coast, protected by two promontories; the emerald blue colours are breathtaking.
From here the road climbs away from the coast, dropping back toward the long sandy beach of Chia. A short detour to the right will take us to Chia tower, from where we can enjoy a spectacular view of the long stretch of Chia beach and the islands. The next section follows the main road north, along a quiet coast road, finally reaching the little town of Pula, where our trip officially comes to an end. The excellent gelateria in the main town square, which serves home made ice-cream, is a well deserved treat and reward after this long journey of flavours.
We’ll have the evening free to wander around the town and try out one of the many quality restaurants.
Show Profile- Meals: Breakfast
A relatively early start to the day for the 1 hour journey to Cagliari airport. Depending on flight schedules, we’ll hopefully have some time for a wander around the city; the perfect place for those last minute goodies or to put your feet up in one of the many piazze sipping a last glass of vino rosso.
Understanding Profiles
Use these profiles to see:
- Distance in Km (horizontal axis)
- Ascent / Descent in metres (vertical axis)
Click 'see gradient' to see:
- Distance in Km (horizontal axis)
- % Gradient (vertical axis)
Please check the scales on both graphs, and both axes as they both may differ from day to day.
White vertical lines indicate unpaved sections or slightly rougher terrain. Using both graphs, alongside the grading and terrain information provided, will give you a full picture of how flat, bumpy or steep the climbing on your particular tour is going to be. Please keep in mind this is an indicative guide and GPS units and software produce different statistical information.
Gallery
The Cycling
Terrain
The tour alternates between countryside and stunning coastal views. You’ll be riding primarily on well-paved roads, except for a few short sections of gravel / dirt roads that lead to your accommodation.
You’ll be riding in a region which combines rolling hills and long flat stretches, passing olive groves and vineyards. Towards the coast the riding becomes a more undulating roller coaster, with a few challenging sections rewarded with stunning coastal views. Coastal roads will overlook long stretches of sandy beaches and remote coves. The climbs are never too steep or long and the roads generally have little traffic. Days 3 and 4 will pose the biggest challenge with the most climbing and descending.
Both hybrid and e-bikes are recommended / suitable for the terrain.
For those looking for a boost over some of the cheeky hills, you may want to consider opting for an e-bike (or joining the e-bike only departures). Using an e-bike would be good for tackling some of the longer, steeper climbs, and clocking up some easy miles, if riding during the hotter months. The route is suitable for a road or gravel bike if preferred. Please note, if opting for an e-bike on a standard departure, the pace of riding will be set by the regular bikes. If you are interested in riding an electric bike on this holiday please click here for more information.

Leisure Cycling Grade
Distances generally between 20-45 miles / 32-72 kms per day
For the leisure cyclist with a good level of physical fitness
May include some steeper, cheeky climbs
Possibly sections of varying terrain (eg. forest tracks, gravel paths etc).
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?
Although you may not cycle every day, you do keep yourself relatively fit and enjoy getting out on your bike at the weekend. Your preference is perhaps for flatter to rolling terrain, but you don’t mind tackling some hills, and some steep climbs if you can take it at your own pace. For those happy to tackle those ups and downs, and possibly some sections of varying terrain (eg. forest tracks, gravel paths etc) we’d recommend our grade 3 trips. We’d generally expect those on a Grade 3 holiday to have a decent level of physical fitness and be comfortable riding on consecutive days with some longer days in the saddle.
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.
Our expectations were met and surpassed in most cases. The personal touch was evident in communications leading up to our trip. Very much appreciated.
Dates & Prices

Secure Your Holiday With A Deposit
Book now with a $500 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) GPX files available on request
E) Support vehicle, for tired bikers and luggage transfers
F) Group airport transfer on scheduled arrival day from Cagliari airport (CAG)
G) Group airport transfer on scheduled departure day to Cagliari airport (CAG)
H) Financial Protection through ABTOT
What's not Included 
A) Bike rental (available if required)
B) Flights and charges for travelling with your bike (if applicable)
C) Single room (available if required, on request)
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) Ferry tickets between the islands of St. Pietro and St.Antioco (approx €16): 2 tickets – From Portoveseme to Carloforte (Island of St Pietro), then from Carloforte to Calasetta (Island of St Antioco)
J) 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
News, Reviews & Stories
E-bikes - everything you need to know
There’s no doubt that e-bikes are popular. We caught up with our expert to answer some of your burning questions!