Following your arrival into Cagliari, you’ll take a 90 minute (approx) transfer to the village of Calasetta on the island of Sant’Antioco in the southwest of Sardinia. Depending on arrival times, you’ll hopefully have time to head to the beach, before your bike fitting and welcome meeting, and your first Sardinian meal.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 695 Metres Approx.

After setting off from your accommodation, you’ll ride south along the coast to the very tip of the island of Sant’Antico. Here you’ll climb up to Capo Sperone where you’ll enjoy the panoramic view on the island’s coast and hilly inland. This marks the true start of your Cape-to-Cape journey. Your route then takes you along quiet roads and gravel tracks north again to the town of Sant’Antioco and past the Roman bridge that once connected the island to the Sardinian mainland.

After crossing the bridge you’ll ride through the local salt works to the Porto Botte Lagoon. Along the way you should be able to spot flamingoes feeding in the shallow water, as well as many other species of wetland birds. Cycling on gravel tracks and along sandy beaches you’ll arrive at Porto Pino. After a short break to admire the beautiful white beaches, you’ll cycle the last short stretch along the Porto Pino Lagoon to your accommodation in Sant’Anna Arresi, where you’ll have the time for a cold beer before sitting down for dinner.

• Meals: Breakfast, dinner
• Ascent: 1,115 Metres Approx.

After breakfast this morning you’ll say goodbye to the village of Sant’Anna Arresi, climbing up the rolling hills behind the little town. Your route goes up and down through wooded areas and cultivated fields and past abandoned hamlets to finally descend towards the hamlet of Barrancu Mannu and the forestry building of Pantaleo.

This is a perfect spot to halt and eat your sandwiches, before setting off again for a long steady climb up the smooth gravel road traversing the forest of Gutturu Mannu, first taking you down to the little chapel of Santa Lucia and then onto your evening’s accommodation. Tonight you’ll be staying in a cosy agriturismo nestled at the edge of the Campidano Plain.

After a well-deserved shower you’ll have some time to relax with a beer or a glass of local wine before sitting down for a delicious, traditional Sardinian meal.

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

Back on your bike after breakfast, you’ll be heading off this morning on dirt roads that criss-cross the plain in front of you. First you’ll cycle past the dam on the Cixerri River, marking one of Sardinia’s many artificial water basins. From here you’ll head northeast again on flat agricultural terrain to San Sperate’s open-air Museum Village. Here you’ll stop for a coffee and take some time to admire the many murals adorning the village walls.

From San Sperate, you’ll continue north and inland, gradually making your way over more undulating terrain. An occasional stretch of bumpy dirt road may well test your gravel biking skills! Soon after you’ll reach the neolithic burial grounds of Pranu Efis, a magical place to be explored at your leisure.

The afternoon’s ride will take you into the Marmilla hills and today’s destination, the village of Barumuni, near the archaeological site of Su Nuraxi. Built over 3,500 years ago, this three storey fortress will enthral any contemporary architect.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 960 Metres Approx.

Leaving Barumini you’ll continue your journey making your way on an old railway track, through some tunnels, alongside the basalt plateau of the Giara di Gesturi. You will soon reach the village of Nuragus, before continuing your journey in the Marmilla Hills on narrow secondary tarmac roads and fast rolling double tracks passing through the villages of Genoni.

After lunch you will make your way on the double tracks winding their way through the foothills of Monte Grighine. A fast descent will see you arrive in the valley again, from where a beautiful dirt road will take you to the little town of Fordongianus, known for its Roman remains and thermal baths. If time allows (and opening times and hotel dependent), you’ll hopefully be able to enjoy the thermal baths tonight, however make sure you bring your swimming cap and flip flops as you won’t be allowed in without! (We’d recommend packing some in your suitcase to be sure you don’t miss out!)

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 420 Metres Approx.

This morning you’ll set off from Fordongianus, now heading west again towards the coast and the Sinis Peninsula. As you leave the village you’ll stop to admire the Romanesque church of Santu Lussurio before starting to climb gradually up on the wonderful panoramic gravel road leading up and down to the hamlet of Siapicia, located at the very edge of the Oristano plain.

After passing the village you’ll head to the valley of the Tirso River, now cycling through flat terrain in the midst of cultivated fields. Almost all of your cycling here is on smooth dirt roads, with a few stretches on secondary tarmac roads leading through the small agricultural villages of Ollastra, Zerfaliu and Zeddiani.

Your next stop is in the village of Riola Sardo, on the edge of the Cabras lagoon. You’ll continue riding along the edge of the lagoon where you may spot several species of wetland birds, including large flocks of flamingoes!

Next on your route is Cabras, the main centre of the Sinis Peninsula, steeped in history and the production capital of Sardinian bottarga (mullet roe), locally known as the Gold of Cabras. You could take a short breather in town for a last coffee or an ice cream, before riding the last section to your accommodation located a couple of kilometers out of town.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 300 Metres Approx.

Today, the grand finale of your gravel cycling adventure will take you on a loop ride of the beautiful Sinis Peninsula. After breakfast you’ll head north, riding on smooth dirt roads through the fields lining the Cabras lagoon.

You’ll eventually turn towards the coast, leaving the lagoon behind you, heading for the pine forest of Is Arenas to then head south again along the coast. After a couple of kilometres you’ll arrive at Capo Mannu thus ending your journey from Cape to Cape. You’ll still have a beautiful bit of cycling to do though, making your way south, pedalling on the clifftops and along the wonderful beaches of the Sinis peninsula.

Your journey finally ends at the archaeological site, and wide sandy beach, of Tharros where you can celebrate with a refreshing dip in the Med and a cold beer in the local beach bar.

You’ll have a relatively early start to the day for your return journey to Cagliari after breakfast.