Individual Bike Tour on the East Coast of Sardinia

Cycling tour along the east coast of Sardinia, through the wild and romantic Ogliastra

This somewhat more challenging cycling tour takes you along the east coast through the Ogliastra. The Ogliastra region with its fascinating mountains and forests and a wild and romantic coastline is still largely unknown and less developed for tourism and holds a special record among Italian provinces: it is the region with the highest life expectancy and the highest number of centenarians in the whole country.

In fact, it has been declared a ‘Blue Zone’, an area where people live longer. Breathtaking landscapes and lots of nature will accompany you on this cycling tour. The hilly terrain makes this tour challenging, so e-bikes are highly recommended.

Highlights
Red Rocks (Rocce Rosse) in Arbatax
Authentic villages of Gairo and Osini
Tacchi d'Ogliastra table mountains
Su Marmuri cave
San Giorgio gorge

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PROGRAMME

Day 1
Transfer or individual arrival in Tortolì, the gateway to Ogliastra.

Day 2: Tortolì – Cardedu (30/40 km)
An easy warm-up day heading south, exploring some of the best beaches in the area, including Orrì, Cea and Cardedu, to name but a few.
These consist of sand and pebbles, reddish rocks with crystal clear sea and low Mediterranean scrub.
After Barisardo, famous for its Aragonese watchtower, you will reach your accommodation for the night.

Day 3: Cardedu – Osini (43 km)
Time to venture inland! Ride up the Rio Pardu through olive groves and vineyards where the famous Cannonau wine is grown.
As we climb up to Gairo and Osini Vecchio, villages abandoned after severe flooding in the mid-20th century, the first series of table mountains (Tacchi) comes into view.
These are imposing limestone formations that dominate many parts of the Ogliastra.
In Ulassai, visit the textile workshops and the cave of Su Marmuri.

Day 4: Osini – Sadali (53 km)
The highlights of today are some beautiful views.
Deep gorges covered with holm oak forests and rock faces shaped by erosion over time.
Following a disused railway line, you will reach Ussassai, whose origins and rural traditions date back to the Neolithic period.
Your destination for the day is Sadali, a charming village at an altitude of 800 metres on the southern slopes of the Gennargentu massif.

Day 5: Sadali – Villagrande Strisaili (52 km)
From Sadali, you will reach the majestic and well-preserved Nuraghe Ardasai, a tower-shaped megalithic structure typical of Sardinia and over three millennia old.
Looking north, you can admire Punta La Marmora, the highest peak in Sardinia (1,834 metres above sea level).
Below the breathtaking natural monument Perda 'e Liana, you will reach Villagrande Strisaili, one of the Blue Zone villages with the most centenarians in Sardinia.

Day 6: Villagrande Strisaili – Santa Maria Navarrese (27/41 km)
After a challenging climb, the sea comes into view.
On the way to the coast, you will pass through Talana, famous for its award-winning raw ham, and finally reach the seaside town of Santa Maria Navarrese.
Santa Maria is the southern entrance to the Golfo di Orosei, a stretch of coastline with 40 km of secluded sandy beaches, interrupted by towering white cliffs and offering fantastic swimming spots.

Day 7: Santa Maria Navarrese tour (25 km)
Those who wish can take the day off and discover the most spectacular beaches along the coast by boat, including Cala Goloritzé, Cala Sisine and Cala Luna.
More enthusiastic cyclists can also opt for a tour through the countryside around Santa Maria.

Day 8
After breakfast, end of services

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Tour information

• Tortoli - Santa Maria Navarrese
• Length 260 km Duration:
• 8 days / 7 nights
• Departure dates: daily
• More challenging tour, we recommend an e-bike