• Meals: Dinner

Following your arrival into Cagliari, we’ll transfer you to your accommodation in the village of Mandas (approx 45 minutes). The rest of the day can be spent organising bikes and going through your route notes ahead of your week of cycling to come, before enjoying a delicious evening meal in town.

• Meals: Breakfast, dinner
• Ascent: 540 Metres Approx.

Leaving your accommodation, you’ll start the day with a gentle descent to the lower 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 for growing cereal, as well as olives and grapes. Today, bread making in this region still follows ancient recipes, with outstanding results! Cycling inland, you’ll head towards the Giara, a high volcanic plateau, populated by hundreds of wild horses. Nestled below it are the villages of Tuili and Barumini.

Allow plenty of time to stop and visit the impressive Nuragic complex of Barumini. Built in the Bronze Age, around the 15th century BC, this complex fortress and its surrounding village demonstrate an architectural feat; massive basalt blocks of rock, built up into three storey towers, internal staircases, outlook posts, courtyards and even an ancient sauna! Riding on you can make a short stop to admire the rose window of the charming granite Church of St Maria, before cycling past the remains of the 12th century Castello di Marmilla, perched on a hill beside the hamlet of Las Plassas.

From here you’ll continue riding towards Collinas (translation: hill!), then descend to Sardara. This town has been important since Nuragic times for its water. In the centre of town, you can visit the “Sacred Well” next to St Anastasia church. Not far from the town centre, the Sardara thermal water area has been known since Roman times and it’s here you’ll find your accommodation for the night, where you can enjoy the hot water pools.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 790 Metres Approx.

Leaving the thermal area behind, you’ll venture across the Campidano Plain, the biggest of the island, passing through Pabillonis, famous for the production of saffron.

Make sure you stop at one of the bakeries to try some delicious Sardinian cakes filled with saffron-scented paste. Heading westward, Gonnosfanadiga is nestled below the rocky eastern spurs of the Iglesiente region and is known for its olives and olive oil. Leaving the plain, it’s time to get into a smaller gear as you head back into the hills, just below Mt Linas, making your way to the Bidderdi Pass, the highest point of your journey. 

From the pass you will coast down an incredible 8 km / 5 mile descent, with spectacular mountain views surrounding you. Cycling along the beautiful sandy beach of Portixeddu, you’ll have time to stop for a swim, before continuing your cycle south to the lesser-visited hamlet of Buggerru, your stop for the night. This little village, once a thriving mining coastal town, now survives mainly on fishing and so with fresh fish being brought into the small port daily, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a sea food dinner of fresh, local delicacies. What better way to round off a fantastic day in the saddle?

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 750 or 790 Metres Approx.

Before leaving Buggerru this morning, you might want to take a walk through the village and its immediate surroundings, exploring the remains of the many old mining buildings dating back to when Buggerru was a thriving mining center.

Jumping back on your bikes, the road will take you along the remote coastal route, past the delightful cove of Cala Domestica – another old mining site now known as a top swimming spot – towards the towering limestone cliffs of Masua, a free climber’s heaven. You will descend steeply into the village of Nebida and onto its panoramic walkway from where you have a privileged view on the coast and the rocky island of the Pan di Zucchero, as well as on the Lamarmora ore washery sprawled out below you. This is the perfect spot for a coffee or lunch, before setting off again on the last descent of the day, all the way down to the coast and the sandy Funtanamare beach.

Depending on hotel availability, you’ll either stay inland in the village of Gonnesa, or continue on a final panoramic stretch, climbing back onto the cliff tops for sweeping views over the Mediterranean before rolling down into the fishermen’s village of Portoscuso.

• Meals: Breakfast, dinner
• Ascent: 615 or 655 Metres Approx.

After breakfast, you’ll make your way to the harbour at Portovesme, right next to the seaside village of Portoscuso. Whether you’re already here or riding in from Gonnesa (15 km ride), you’ll board a ferry with your bikes for the short crossing to the island of San Pietro. Once ashore, a whole new landscape and a different pace of life await, ready to be explored on two wheels.

On disembarking at Carloforte you will set off on a loop ride taking in different sights of the island, including the majestic Capo Sandalo and its lighthouse, the La Caletta and La Bobba beaches, and the salt pans where you may well spot flamingos.

The town of Carloforte on the island was founded by the coral fishers of Genoa, who moved to the island from Tunisia where they had lived since the middle of the 16th century. This influence is felt in the architecture on the island as well as the cuisine. With its pastel coloured houses set along narrow cobbled lanes, this makes it an interesting place to pootle around, maybe stopping for a fine meal at one of the town’s delicious fish restaurants. Don’t miss the island’s famous fresh tuna! Since ancient times, fishermen have awaited the arrival of schools of tuna that stream by along the same route, not far from the islands.

Another short ferry journey will take you across to the island of St Antioco, where a short ride will take you to your accommodation.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 525 Metres Approx.

It is worth spending a few hours to wander and visit 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 Thophet, as well as the Catacombs below the Church of St Antioco.

Leaving the island by the causeway across the bay of Palmas, you’ll carry on cycling towards the Sulcis mountains, riding through the fertile gentle hills around Trattalias and Santadi. As you cycle past vineyard after vineyard, it will become obvious that you are entering the wine region of Santadi. Here you’ll have the chance to try out some of the local wines at the Cantine di Santadi winery.

5 kms/3 miles south of Santadi, the carsic caves of Is Zuddas are one of the island’s many spectacular natural sculpture museums. From here the road winds its way 13 kms/8 miles to Teulada, passing some remote farming hamlets and at points affording some great views across the south coast.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 590 Metres Approx.

Your final day’s riding will take you along a roller coaster road towards Pula, your final destination for this trip. The Costa del Sud is a wonderful 20 km /12 mile 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.

For those who love to swim, stopping off at the Piscinnì Beach with its crystal-clear, emerald waters is a must. At the end of the Costa del Sud, the road climbs away from the coast, dropping back toward the long sandy beach of Chia. A short detour to the right will take you to Chia tower, whereby you 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 your trip officially comes to an end. The excellent gelateria in the main town square, serving home made ice-cream, is a must-visit for a well-deserved treat and reward after your long journey of flavours. Spend your evening wandering around this charming town, before trying out one of the many brilliant restaurants.

• Meals: Breakfast

Today you’ll say arrivederci to Sardinia. You’ll be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight home (approx 40 minutes).