Tour Type
Explorer
Riding Level
Leisure
Location
Sardinia, Italy
Duration
5 Days | 4 Nights
Length
75 - 100 km daily
Climb
1,100 - 1,500 m daily
The cycling world discovered Sardinia in 2017 when it hosted the Giro d'Italia Grande Partenza. What few people know is that it is also a fantastic early or late season cycling destination. It has perfect roads, minimal traffic, beautiful beaches, and fantastic food. Sardinia also has a great Mediterranean climate, so you’ll enjoy lovely warm conditions while viewing stunning scenery.
You will experience what this island is truly about all while racking up those pre season KM’s. We’ll take you to the best restaurants, where the chef cooks exclusively fresh products from the local market. We will visit Caseificio Funtanazza, where the Lampis family has been breeding black sheep for many generations and try some delicious cheese. Instead of tasteless energy bars, they’ll serve you shepherd’s bread, torrone and fregula on the roadside.
The programme, includes: A treasure trove of fantastic food & wines, wild nature and quiet and scenic roads. We start from the shining white quartz beaches of Cabras, hosting the mysterious ancient statues of the Giganti di Monte Prama , then we’ll climb the volcanic massif of the Montiferru, where they graze the Sardinian-Modican red cows producing a rich milk for the delicious cheese Casizzolu del Montiferru, a Slow Food Presidia. The final day we ride heading south along the beautiful Costa Verde across fascinating old mining villages and wild beaches.
We have options for different levels of riders as every loop can be made shorter or longer and you can hop on our support van at any time. Take a short break to explore Sardinia with us and escape the cold to ride in warm weather!
David went on the October 2016 Sardinia Getaway. Read his story here.
Tour Highlights
We will welcome you at Cagliari airport and shuttle you to Cabras where the first of our charming hotels is located in the heart of the Sinis Peninsula. We’ll introduce you to the week’s programme and we will help you to assemble your bike and enjoy a welcome ride (optional) in preparation for the upcoming adventure. In the evening after a mandatory aperitif with a glass of local Vernaccia di Oristano d.o.c., we’ll enjoy dinner on the terrace of our lovely hotel, the four-star Aquae Sinis.
A ride in the peaceful Montiferru mountains, exploring the charming countryside dotted with quiet villages. The first part of the ride is a gentle warm up through open pastures. Then we’ll start climbing the slopes of this ancient volcanic region through a thick oak forest up to 900m above sea level. We’ll have views over the plateau of Abbasanta, and in the distance we will see the Gennargentu mountains, the highest mountains of Sardinia. After winding downhill into the countryside, we’ll ride back along the ocean, admiring a marvellous coastline carved into the sand stone. And tonight is pizza night in Cabras!
Another spectacular ride, we start by riding through the farming area of Arborea, to the fisherman’s village on Marceddì lagoon, a place that seems frozen in time. From here we will ride along the majestic Costa Verde, a beautiful stretch of unspoiled coast with long empty beaches and small secluded coves. The ride continues along the exciting downhill to Portixeddu and a beautiful sandy beach before arriving in the harbour of Buggerru. We will spend our final two nights in Buggerru in hotel La Rosa dei Venti with great views over the harbour. This is also where we have dinner tonight.
Our last ride is a challenging but beautiful one, visiting some Sardinian highlights: the secluded cove of Cala Domestica, the imposing Pan di Zucchero stack and the Tempio di Antas. Two long climbs and two breathtaking downhills. The first descent will surprise you for the stunning beauty of the landscapes on the wild coast while the second, through the thick oak forest, will be a deserved award for a challenging but unforgettable day. Dinner at la Baja da Tore – « the best restaurant in town » according to Gian Mario.
After a great few days of riding together, it’s time to say goodbye, but we are sure this island will touch your hearts and you’ll return to ride more of Sardinia’s beautiful roads!
“Not as well known for cycling as its larger neighbour, it seemed like an odd start for such a prestigious edition of the Giro. However having just spent a weekend getaway there with Grand Tours Project and Dirty Wknd, I can completely understand! Glorious coastal roads, challenging climbs and epic descents are the norm in Sardinia, making it a lesser known cycling paradise. The locals also add to the atmosphere with their warmth, their love of cycling and their incredible food and wine. The organisers of the Giro have unearthed a bit of a hidden gem in Sardinia!”
Read the story by David on his Sardinia Getaway here.
What’s not included ?
