Sardinia Coast to Coast

Alghero - Tresnuraghes - 40 miles - Hilly

Take your time and enjoy the morning’s view as the beauty of this mountainous island kisses the sea - you're actually cycling right between the sea and mountains! The coastal road is a slightly harder, more winding option, but it nevertheless offers the best cycling routes in the area. This route crosses through a nature reserve famous for its eagles and massive “griffone” vultures which can have wingspans up to 2.8 meters (1.19 ft). We'll follow a minor road along a serene and hilly countryside toward Bosa, a beautiful village built along the Temo River and close to the beach. This is our lunch stop after 30 mls. We’ll take time to explore this fascinating town before enjoying the local food. After lunch we will ride a little bit more along the coast and then inland to reach the small village of Tresnuraghes, on the hills through quiet roads and Malvasia vineyards. After relaxing at the hotel we can visit a Malvasia wine cellar and have a tasting with a local producer who can explain the characteristics of this particular wine.

Tresnuraghes - Cabras - 56 miles - Hilly

From Tresnuraghes the landscape becomes hilly with passes through small villages and oak forests scattered with dark basalt ridges. We are riding on the slopes of the venerable and extinct Montiferru volcano.

After about 7 mls we make our first stop in Cuglieri village to regroup and enjoy a coffee; from here we head deeper inland, climbing Montiferru on a nicely paved road into a dense oak forest. We reach the top with a gradual climb of  6 mls.

From the eastern slope of Montiferru we can appreciate the view of the basalt plateau with Sardinia’s main mountain range in the distance, while riding down towards Santu Lussurgiu village. After a regroup we’ll continue cycling, mainly downhill, on the south slope of Montiferru towards the coast. Jaunting through scenic country roads, we’ll reach the coast after 40 mls for a lunch break by the sea. Then we’ll cycle south on a flat (ish) minor road between lagoons, outstretched meadows and lovely beaches, before reaching the village of Cabras.

Cabras is a fishing village next to a large lagoon, famous for its delicious seafood and bottarga (the Gold of Cabras, the caviar of Sardinia, mullet roe). Since Roman times, Sardinians have never lived on the sea because of pirate raids. However, there are many beautiful beaches just a 5-minute drive from the hotel, which we will be happy to show you.

Cabras - Aritzo - 47 miles - Mountains

Today’s ride brings us farther inland to discover the most authentic parts of Sardinia. We’ll start with a short transfer from Cabras to the archeological site of Santa Cristina, one of the most important symbols of Nuragic Civilization. It contains a Sacred Well that was dedicated to the cult of water. We’ll continue riding the basalt plateau, up to Lake Omodeo, and then climbing into the Mandrolisai Hills on the west side of Gennargentu Mountain Range.

After about 23 mls we reach the village of Ortueri for a coffee stop. Between there and Sorgono (our lunch stop), there is an optional visit to the dolmen site in the countryside. Along the way, we’ll feel quite removed from civilization for long stretches due to the absence of traffic and to being surrounded only by serene and verdant nature.

From Sorgono we have a last push of 2.5 mls, a steady climb which will bring us to the highest point of today’s ride, “Passo Isca sa mela," 3,100 ft asl. Shortly after the pass, we can enjoy a well-deserved coffee break in the mountain village of Tonara. From Tonara, a long descent leads us through the chestnut woods to the town of Belvì and then uphill to our hotel nestled among the trees. There will be a cooking class for you (optional) and the hotel offers a swimming pool, sports massage by reservation, the possibility of a wine tasting, and an excellent dinner which you will undoubtedly remember.

Aritzo - Gennargentu - Oliena - 59 miles - Mountains

Today begins with a descent to Belvì and then up to Desulo and then up to Tascusì Pass at 4,000 ft. The first part of the climb will be gradual, but after the town of Desulo it will become more demanding until the peak, totaling 8 mls and 2,300 ft of ascent. The effort, however, will be rewarded with majestic views. The road continues with long descents and short uphill stretches until the end of the day.

After about 35 mls, we reach the town of Mamoiada, famous for its ancestral masks and full-bodied red wine, Cannonau. At this point, we suggest visiting the Museum of Mediterranean Masks where you can see enticing examples from the Barbaricinian carnival, a tradition - the memory of which is obscured in ancient history - that passionately revives itself each year in places such as these. At the end of the visit you can have lunch in a typical Locanda, a stone's throw from the museum. We’ll then continue towards the town of Orgosolo, the heart of the Barbaricinian culture and the notorious center of banditry, a phenomenon which raged through these mountains from the end of the 19th century until the 1970s.

After stopping briefly to admire the murals of Orgosolo we’ll make our way to Oliena, a town located at the foot of the most suggestive limestone massif on the whole island, Mount Corrasi. After passing Oliena, the last few miles that separate us from our hotel are mainly downhill.