Sardinian Highlights

by Marmot Tours

Region

Sardinia,N/A,Rest of World

Duration

7 days

Guided Status

Guided

Difficulty

Moderate

D-Score™

N/A - Unknown

Overview

Classic, flexible pace cycling holiday with daily route options. The cycling highlights of Sardinia - experience the best routes and climbs of the island in six days. Flexible itinerary: perfect for mixed ability groups, plus optional extra riding for those looking to push themselves further. Cycle at your own pace every day, so there is no being held up or holding others up. Conquer Passo di Genna Silana and the Orientale Sarda Road - showcased by the Giro in 2017. 3 & 4* hotels, most with swimming pools, plus traditional Sardinian cuisine (all evening meals & wine included). Excellent support from two customised support vans and our two experienced, proactive guides focused on making your holiday the best it can be. The Mediterranean island of Sardinia is a cycling paradise! It offers a fantastic climate, beautiful sandy beaches, and magnificent mountainous areas with almost traffic-free roads. This superb, flexible route cycling tour showcases the very best of the island, and we guarantee you won't be disappointed. This holiday is not only about the cycling. During the week you'll enjoy delicious traditional cuisine and an introduction to the culture of this fascinating island. We've crafted this tour around wonderful 3 and 4* hotels, most with pools and some with spa facilities, so that you can make the most of your post-ride relaxation time. Cycling in the mountains is never easy, but the island's gradients are generally kind. The daily Classic routes average 83km with 1,475m of ascending, so it is one of our gentler options. As with all our flexible pace tours, there are daily opportunities to extend yourself further, should you wish; the Challenge routes average 121km with 2,383m of ascending.

Daily Ride Schedule

Day 0: Arrival day

Arrival day

Day 1: Bitti to Lago di Gusana

76 km 1400 m

N/A

Bitti to Lago di Gusana

Day 2: Lago di Gusana to Aritzo

73 km 1600 m

N/A

Lago di Gusana to Aritzo

Day 3: Day ride from Aritzo

87 km 1580 m

N/A

Day ride from Aritzo

Day 4: Aritzo to Valico Strisaili

82 km 1500 m

N/A

Aritzo to Valico Strisaili

Day 5: Valico Strisaili to Cala Gonone

80 km 1300 m

N/A

Valico Strisaili to Cala Gonone

Day 6: Cala Gonone to Bitti

103 km 1380 m

N/A

Cala Gonone to Bitti

Day 7: Departure day

Departure day

Accommodation & Services

Accommodation

Hotel

What's Included

Airport transfers

Catering services

Accommodation arrangements

Bike rental

Mechanical support

Support vehicle following all rides

About the Sardinia,N/A,Rest of World

A dedicated guide for this region is not available yet.

GBP 1790

per person

Go to Provider

Why Choose This Tour?

The cycling highlights of Sardinia - experience the best routes and climbs of the island in six days Flexible itinerary: perfect for mixed ability groups, plus optional extra riding for those looking to push themselves further Cycle at your own pace every day, so there is no being held up or holding others up Conquer Passo di Genna Silana and the Orientale Sarda Road - showcased by the Giro in 2017 3 & 4* hotels, most with swimming pools, plus traditional Sardinian cuisine (all evening meals & wine included) Excellent support from two customised support vans and our two experienced, proactive guides focused on making your holiday the best it can be The Mediterranean island of Sardinia is a cycling paradise!
It offers a fantastic climate, beautiful sandy beaches, and magnificent mountainous areas with almost traffic-free roads.
This superb, flexible route cycling tour showcases the very best of the island, and we guarantee you won't be disappointed.
Daily opportunities to extend yourself further, should you wish; the Challenge routes average 121km with 2,383m of ascending.
We stay in comfortable mostly 3* hotels with ensuite facilities.
We have selected the hotels for their location and for their customer service towards cyclists.
Day 1: Bitti to Lago di Gusana.
Today’s ride is the perfect introduction to cycling in Sardinia.
We set out through cork oak forests, undulating on quiet roads with good surfaces.
You then enjoy a delightful descent across the island's central plain.
A couple of 'cheeky' climbs take you to the town of Sarule, from where you have options of what to do next.
The most direct route takes you via the historic town of Gavoi, which is well worth exploring.
A slightly Harder route skirts around the edge of Lago di Chucchinadorza, while the Challenge route takes you over the mountains of Teti and Tiana.
All roads lead down to the Lago di Gusana and the 4* Hotel Taloro, built on a peninsula jutting out into the reservoir.
Day 2: Lago di Gusana to Aritzo.
Today we cycle the highest surfaced road in Sardinia to Bruncu Spina (1570m), the island's only ski resort.
Climbing directly from the hotel (at 650m), the forests give way to open moorland and spectacular views.
The climb itself is full of character and although the gradients are generally kind, there are a few short, challenging sections of up to 12%.
It is well worth the effort, and the descent is exquisite.
A short climb takes you back up the Arcu de Tascusì (1245m), then you descend all the way to Tonara for lunch.
From Tonara you can head directly to the idyllic 4* Hotel Sa Muvara (where we spend two nights) to relax by the pool, or head off to explore more of the Gennargentu mountains.
Day 3: Day ride from Aritzo.
Today we explore the valley of the Rio Flumendosa and the island's central plains.
It is an excellent ride through rural Sardinia with constantly changing scenery on quiet, well-surfaced roads.
Straight from the hotel, you start climbing gently to the Valico Sa Casa (1040m), which is set in a sparse, shrubby pine forest.
From here you undulate with a downhill bias for 30km over the Valico Ortuabis and down to the reservoir of the Lago Basso del Flumendosa.
Climbing up the other side of the valley, you pass by the mountain hamlets of Sadali and Seule, before crossing the river for a final time and climbing over the Passo Cossatzu (866m).
The Challenge route takes you further south, past the bronze age settlement of Nuraghe Arrubiu.
It then crosses the river Flumendosa down at 150m and involves a couple of steeper climbs before rejoining the Classic route.
If you require a rest day, taking a day off the bike is also an option!
The hotel has a swimming pool and the village of Aritzo is worth exploring.
Day 4: Aritzo to Valico Strisaili.
The promise of huge views and interesting landscapes as you circumnavigate the Gennargentu Massif is a huge incentive to get you going this morning!
You start the day with a descent before heading up to the Arcu de Tascussi (1245m) via Desulo.
This leads to the Arcu Correboi (1246m), which was once an important mountain pass; a new road has recently been tunnelled through the hillside, making it virtually traffic-free.
The views from here are spectacular, and the descent is an absolute gem – the gradients are constant and the corners are sweeping.
On reaching the valley floor, you traverse a sparse landscape of rock and ancient oak trees.
Your destination is the 4* Orlando Resort Hotel (with spa & pool facilities), nestled in Santa Barbara National Park.
You have the option of retiring gracefully to a sun lounger, but as always, there is more cycling on offer if you wish, and the Arzana loop of our Challenge route will certainly test your legs!
Day 5: Valico Strisaili to Cala Gonone.
Leaving your mountain retreat behind, you climb gently to Arcu s'Orostode (1093m) for a breathtaking view of the coastal plain below.
The only way is down, and this descent has style!
Next up is the magnificent Orientale Sarda road, showcased by the Giro d'Italia in Spring 2017.
Built in the 1800s, it is a feat of engineering that climbs up to the Passo di Genna Silana (1008m).
Your destination is the beachfront hotel Bue Marino in Cala Gonone, a quiet coastal village once only accessible by sea.
Luckily for you, a hole was bored through the mountain and a fantastic series of hairpins was laid.
These are guaranteed to get you to the coast with a smile on your face.
If relaxing on the beach is not your thing, then there is the option of taking on the locally-famed Strava segment up the concrete road that scales the cliff to the north of town.
It is only 2.2km long, but with average gradients of 10% it will get your heart pounding!
Day 6: Cala Gonone to Bitti.
Re-acquaint yourself with the fantastic hairpins of yesterday evening, leaving the coast of Cala Gonone behind you as you climb.
From here, undulate down onto the coastal plains that lead you to Siniscola at the foot of Monte Albo (820m), a massive white limestone ridge.
The climb is jaw dropping, benefitting from both mountain and sea views.
Continue on this quiet and winding road before turning inland once again, ticking off the final few km to a lunch stop just over the summit.
Next, you'll meander with a downhill bias back to the picturesque pastoral village of Bitti and the Hotel Su Lithu, where your cycling adventure started a week ago.
As always, for those wanting a bit more at the end of the day there are a few optional climbs, which make the most of the nearby limestone mountain.