Cycling Tour through the amazing South-West

8-Day Bike Tour in the South-West of Sardinia from Cabras to Pula

Plunge into the savage and romantic beauty of south western Sardinia, amongst abandoned mines and empty beaches. Ride this self guided bike tour in total freedom with bike or e-bike.

Overview

• Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
• Overnight stay with breakfast
• Distance: 260 - 300 km
• Starting point: Cabras | End point: Pula
• Activity level: 6 cycling days, 3 easy stages (mostly flat), 2 medium stages (undulating), 1 challenging stage (hilly).
• Start dates: always Saturdays, other days available upon request for an additional fee
• Best time to travel: April–June / September–October due to mild temperatures

Highlights

• The Sinis peninsula with the ruins of the ancient Tharros
• Costa Verde end the dunes of Piscinas
• The ancient mines of Sulcis
• The island of Carloforte and Sant’Antioco
• The Costa del Sud.

Programme

1st day – arrival
Transfer or independent arrival to Cabras. 

2nd day: The Sinis Peninsula (52 km)
Travel through the fascinating Sinis wetlands where you will see colonies of pink flamingos and finally reach one of the most beautiful spots on the island: the white quartz beach of Is Arutas and the Phoenician ruins of Tharros.

3rd day: Costa Verde and dunes of Piscinas (46 km)
After a transfer to Arborea, you will cycle through the natural beauty spots of the Costa Verde, some of the most savage scenery on the island, to the Piscinas beach with its sands dunes over 50 m high – some of the highest in Europe.

4th day: The mines of Sulcis (41 km)
This leg takes you back into the ancient mining past of Sardinia, as we pass the fascinating abandoned mines of Ingortosu and Planusartu. After the golden beach of Portixeddu and looming mass of Pan di Zucchero cliff, you admire the old ore washery at Nebida: nestling in the varied colours of the Mediterranean bush, it looks out over the sea at the end of a long descente down 540 steps.

5th day: The island of Carloforte (43 km)
After a beautiful descent to Fontanamare, you will reach Portoscuso, and board on the ferry to Carloforte, where locals still fish the Red Tuna fish. From Carloforte, continue to the island of Sant’Antioco and end your day in Calasetta.

6th day: Town and island of Sant’Antioco (43 km)
Today, you pedal through the meadows, green in springtime and golden yellow in the summer, of Sant’Antioco. At Tratalias, visit the Pisan sanctuary, one of the most important monuments of the Sardinian Romanesque period. Riding along the lake Monte Pranu, savour the quiet peace of the rolling plains of Sulcis.

7th day: The South Coast (60 km)
Final catwalk of your tour is the beautiful Costa del Sud with its gleaming white beaches, unspoilt natural landscape and imposing cliffs: Cape Malfatano with its 16th Century tower and Cape Spartivento. At Nora you will visit the ancient Phoenician settlement.

8th day – departure
After breakfast, end of services.

FAQ

Who can participate?
Experienced cyclists. E-bike rental is available upon request to make the tour easier.

What's included in the price?
The base price includes 7 nights' accommodation with breakfast, luggage transfer from hotel to hotel, a support vehicle for a few days, an app with maps and information, telephone support, and travel insurance during the tour.

What extras are available?
We offer transfers to the starting point and at the end of the tour, room upgrades or dinners at the accommodation where possible, rental of bicycles and e-bikes, helmets, and panniers. We also offer car rentals, ferry tickets, and extended stays.

What's in the Bike rental included?
Each bike comes with a 20-liter waterproof bag, a smartphone mount, a combination lock, and a 0.75-liter water bottle. A repair kit is also included for every two bikes, containing a spare inner tube, a tube repair kit, tire levers, a pump, and a basic multi-tool.

Is the tour self-guided or guided?
The bike tour is self-guided (in this case an app will guide you through the tour, and telephone support is also available).

When does the tour start?
The tour typically begins on Saturday afternoon with arrival at the first accommodation. The actual bike tour starts on Sunday morning after breakfast, consisting of six stages until Friday afternoon, followed by an overnight stay at the final accommodation and breakfast on Saturday morning. The tour can also start on other days of the week and will still last eight days / seven nights (upon request and with an additional charge).

When is the best time for this bike tour?
We recommend the tour in spring and autumn when temperatures are still mild and the island is less crowded. In autumn, the sea is Still warm enough for bathing.