South Sardinia Bike Tour

8-Day Road cycling Tour in the South of Sardinia

This cycle tour shows you the best of the south of Sardinia. You will start in Cagliari and cycle along the fascinating coast towards the east, before travelling inland to the southern west coast, which is particularly impressive with its rugged landscape, and discover then the south coast and its fascinating panoramas. This tour is a road bike tour, which is why we particularly recommend it in the low season (from April to the beginning of June and from mid-September), when everything is quieter. The daily stages and gradients have been designed so that this tour is suitable for all keen cyclists.

Important Preliminary Information

Our 8-day hiking and cycling tours in Sardinia are designed for active guests who enjoy physical activity and are comfortable with more demanding routes. The stages lead through varied terrain and require a certain level of basic fitness as well as appropriate equipment. During the summer months, high temperatures can present an additional challenge.

We recommend these trips to those who already have some experience with longer hikes or cycling tours and who appreciate the challenge set within a stunning landscape.

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Overview

• Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
• Overnight stay with breakfast
• Distance: 470 - 500 km
• Starting point: Cagliari | End point: Pula
• Difficulty level: 6 stages with difference in altitude between 650 and 1,400 m
• 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 incredible coastal road from Cagliari to Villasimius
•  Nuraghe’ Su Nuraxi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• The island of San Pietro with its charming main town of Carloforte
• The abandoned mines in Sulcis-Iglesiente
• The beautiful south coast with its glistening white sandy beaches
• Sardinian cuisine and wines
• The view of Lake Mulargia

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Programme

Day 1: Start of the tour
Private transfer or individual arrival at Cagliari, overnight stay.

Day 2: Cagliari - Muravera (81 km, difference in altitude 800 m)
Via the Poetto, Cagliari's kilometre-long beach, you cycle along the beautiful coastal road to Villasimius. This panoramic road was part of the routes of the Giro d'Italia 2007 and 2017. Overnight stay in Muravera.

Day 3: Muravera - Orroli (75 km, difference in altitude 1400 m)
Now we leave the coast and head into the interior of the island. After climbing the hills of Gerrei, you cycle to Lake Mulargia. You will spend the night in Orroli, a village in the so-called Blue Zone, where there are numerous centenarians.

Day 4: Orroli-Villanovaforru (83 km, difference in altitude 700 m)
After breakfast, the tour takes you through the hills of the lovely Marmilla, where the Giara plateau is located. Today you will also see the large Nuraghe Su Nuraxi near Barumini, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and which you should definitely visit (only possible with a guide). Overnight stay in Villanovaforru.

Day 5: Villanovaforru-Buggerru (71 km, difference in altitude 800 m)
Today you return to the coast, cycling through the fertile Campidano and reaching the long sandy beach of Portixeddu after a spectacular 7 km descent. This fascinating region is characterised by abandoned mines and disused mines. Overnight stay in Buggerru.

Day 6: Buggerru - Sant'Antioco (67/84 km, difference in altitude 700/900 m)
From Buggerru, you now head south to the village of Nebida, from where you have a great view of the characteristic rock Pan di Zucchero (Sugar Loaf) lying in the sea. Here you can also see the old mineral washing plant of Lamarmora, a unique example of industrial archaeology. In Porto Vesme, take the ferry to the island of San Pietro, famous for its bluefin tuna, which is still caught here in spring using ancient methods. The ferry will then take you to the nearby island of Sant'Antioco, where you will spend the night.

Day 7: Sant'Antioco - Pula (85 km, difference in altitude 650 m)
Now you cycle along the coast (Costa del Sud) through unspoilt natural landscapes and imposing cliffs. This coastal road, a 20 km sequence of short climbs and exciting descents, is undoubtedly one of the best cycle routes in Sardinia. In Pula, where you will also spend the night, you can admire the remains of the interesting ancient city of Nora, located right by the sea.

Day 8: End of the tour
Our service ends after breakfast.

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FAQ

Who can participate?
Experienced road 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. 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.