dossier
Cycling in Sardinia
Season
March to June and September to November. If you are used tocycling in either hot or cool weathers, you should cope with summer or winterdeparture dates.
Level of Difficulty
3 easy stages, 2 medium stages and 1 challenging. Maximum distance 38 miles/ 61 km.
The Bikes
Bike rental is paid locally: 80 Euros(approx US$120). The bikes used are aluminum framed “Hybrid” multi terrain typebikes with 24 gears. The bike will be adjusted for your size at the start. Theyare equipped with aluminum frame, front suspension, Shimano Alivio gears, gel saddles, V-Brakes, puncture resistanttouring tires and ‘Ortlieb’ waterproofpanniers. We also supply you with a lock, water bottle and a basic repair kit.
You should be able to at least repair apuncture and perform minor adjustments to the bike as necessary, but they aregiven to you in very good condition.
Maps & Route Notes
We provide a road booklet and maps for each day.
Accommodation
Note that the descriptions of night stops andthe itinerary is the usual schedule of the holiday, however we do needoccasionally to change places that we use when our chosen hotels may be full.This is particularly the case with “late” bookings.
Nights 1 & 2: A three star hotel on a small country estate on the Sinispeninsular, the rooms are nicelyfurnished with air conditioning,private bathroom and garden outlook.There is a restaurant, piano bar and tennis court! You are only 300 meters fromthe splendid lagoon – sometimes home to flamingos.
Night 3. In Arbus the night is spent in a large traditionally stonebuilt, renaissance styled Hotel Albergo. Rooms are modernly equipped.
Night 4. In Nebida we stay in a simple village 2 starAlbergo, which specializes in good home cooking reflecting the fruits of thesea and flavors of the area (Cucina Tipica di mare e regionale). The hotelcommands great panoramic views.
Night 5. Near Calasetta we stay in a 3 star hotel. Luci del Faro is acharming seaside property located on the northern tip of the isle ofSant’Antioco. One of our favorites, thehotel has an award-winning restaurant and very lovely rooms. Its U-shape layout resembles that of aSpanish hacienda with arcades surrounding the central courtyard that has agarden and a swimming pool. The hotelis located in a peaceful countryside area, 4 km/2.5mi out of Calasetta.
Night 6 . In San Anna Arresi westay in a nice 3 star hotel with all the usual features: small bar, restaurantand well appointed rooms.
Night 7. Your last night is spentin the newly built ‘Villa Madau,’ an elegant property located in the center ofPula. It has 10 finely furnished rooms and a nice lounge. A wide choice ofrestaurants is available within walking distance.
Arrival
Cagliari(highly recommended) or Alghero Airports.
Thestarting point of the tour is near to the town of Oristano this is reachedby:
a)From Cagliari, an airport bus heads towards Alghero stopping at Oristano on theway
b)From Alghero, an airport bus heads to Cagliari once again stopping at Oristano.In both cases take a taxi from Oristano to San Salvatore Sinis.
C)Private transport from either airport to the start can normally be arranged inadvance for a reasonable amount e.g. Cagliari to San Salvatore 50 Euros/approxUS$66 per person.
Itinerary
Day 1. Flight to Calgari. Arrival and transfer to San Salvatore. Meeting with local representative: explanationof the route and bike delivery and collection. Dinner and overnight in ourSan Salvatore hotel.
Day 2: Circular rides San Salvatore (Sinis - San Salvatore Sinis 33 miles / 53 km. Approx 4 hours cycling.)
This is an easy first day cycling through the flat coastal plains of theSinis wetlands. The salt ponds around the Gulf are home to thousands of pinkflamingos in season and a wealth of other bird life, so bring your binoculars. There is a lot of localfishing for mullet or bass from traditional grass Fassone boats circling thelake to Riola Sardo you return to the coast at Mari Ermi and the spectacularwhite quartz beach of Is Arutas. Ashort trip down the peninsula to San Giovanni Sinis brings you to the Phoenicianruins of Tharros, with a history of inhabitation stretching back almost 2,500years. Wine production here is mainly a sherry like Vernaccia and you maybeable to visit a cellar on the way. Dinner and overnight in at San Salvatore.
Day 3: San Salvatore Sinis - Arbus (30/35 miles - 46/53 km, 5 or 6 hoursof cycling).
To avoid the suburbs of Oristano, there is an included transfer by road toArborea. From here you will cycle to Piscinas through the natural beauty spotsof the Costa Verde, this is some of thewildest scenery on the island. Firstly thereis a flat 8 mile section across reclaimed farmland to the colorful fishingvillage of Marceddi. Rice, soft fruitand vegetables are grown here for the “Cucinas” (kitchens) of the island.From here the route becomes more undulating with low hills and sands dunes over50 m high - the highest in Europe –skirting the beach. At Piscinas we arecollected and driven up into the hills for a night at Arbus, or you could take the more hilly but spectacular inland route directly to thevillage by bike. Dinner and overnight in Arbus
Day 4: Arbus - Nebida (31 miles/49 km; 5 hours cycling)
This is the toughest day, but some glorious scenery to compensate! You start by dropping down (largely!) to theMannu River and the start of miles of golden beaches around Portixeddu. To theleft is the massif of Monte Linas, with the Costa Verde and the heather coveredsand dunes away to the right. After the unfortunately named town of Buggerruand the Pranu Sartu Plateau, is the charming Cala Domestica Bay. Inland theMarganai mountain group rises to almost 3,500 feet. After the 400 footlimestone cliffs of Pan di Zucchero, you arrive at Nebida with its the old orewashery; nestling in the varied colours of the Mediterranean bush. Dinnerand overnight in Nebida.
Day 5: Nebida – Calasetta (27-32 miles / 43-52 km; 4 hours cycling) abeautiful descent to Fontana mare followed by an undulating coastal ride toPortoscuso. Here board a ferry (at own expense) to Carloforte on Isola di San Pietro. There is time for a short tourround the island, exploring sandy coves and rocky headlands with tiny hamlets,before rejoining the ferry to continue to the equally unspoiled San Antioco.Note that it is not possible to book the ferry in advance. Dinner andovernight near to Calasetta.
Day 6 Calasetta - S. Anna Arresi(25-28 miles / 40-45 km; 4 hours cycling) A morning to laze by the poolor explore the coast nearby, or for a short cycle ride around the island withits wealth of coves and beaches and green meadows (or golden in thesummer!) and little villages. After avisit to San Antioco, cross back to the mainland to visit the Pisan sanctuaryat Tratalias – one of the most important monuments from the Romanesque period.From here you follow the shoreline ofLake Monte Pranu and through the rolling plains of Sulcis. Rugged mountains once again rise up to your left, toaround 4000 feet. You reach your hotel just before the beach at San AnnaArresi. Nearby are the bright white beaches of Porto Pino backed by dunes andAleppo pinewoods. Dinner and overnight.
Day 7: S.Anna Arresi - Pula ( 38miles - 61 km; approx 5 hours cycling) This is the longest day by distance, but you pedal across gentle countryside over the rugged coastal plains of the Costa Del Sud.This is a wild, remote and beautiful region of Mediterranean bush and coastalpools, gleaming white beaches and imposing cliffs. Cape Malfatano andCape Piscinni each boast 16th Century tower towers, while at Capo Teulada thespectacular cliffs rises more than 700feet from a translucent sea. A shortdetour will take you to the beautiful beach of Su Giudeu in Chia, while at Pulathere is the important Phoenician city of Nora. Bed and breakfast only.
Day 8 : Tour ends after breakfast, with a transfer available back toCagliari Airport or a public bus to Alghero.
Included
7 nights accommodation in 2-3 star hotels and “Albergos”. Breakfasts(usually continental style) and dinner on 6 nights. Baggage transport betweenaccommodations. Route notes and maps.
Not Included