Cycle Touring Italy's Islands - Sardinia

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Start Cabras

   Start Cabras, in the Sinis peninsula, approx. 110km (68mi) from Cagliari airport.
   
   

   • Hotel in Cabras
2. Day 2Ride through the Sinis wetlands to the white quartz beach of Is Arutas and the Phoenician site of Tharros

   You will start the week with a ride across the fascinating Sinis wetlands, whose lagoons are home to colonies of pink flamingos and a wealth of other birdlife, which nest here for part of the year. You will cycle to the coast at Mari Ermi and the spectacular white quartz beach of Is Arutas. A short ride down the peninsula to San Giovanni Sinis takes you to the Punic and Roman city of Tharros, one of the island's most important archaeological sites from this era, overlooking the emerald sea (optional guided visit).
   
   

   • 42.3 miles
   • 
     607 ft
     607 ft
   • Accommodation in Tharros
   • Breakfast
3. Day 3Cycle along the Costa Verde and on to Piscinas beach

   Today you will ride through the natural beauty spots of the Costa Verde (Green Coast), named after the green, wild vegetation that covers much of its mountainous surroundings and the colour of its water. You will cycle across reclaimed farmland to the picturesque fishing village of Marceddi and to the long beach of Piscinas, bordered by huge sand dunes - some over 50m (164ft) high! From Piscinas you will head back to your cosy accommodation.
   
   

   • 28.6 miles
   • 1,378 ft
     3,280.8 ft
     1,902.9 ft
   • Local accommodation
   • Breakfast and Dinner
4. Day 4Cycle past abandoned mines, the golden beach of Portixeddu and the white sea-stack of Pan di Zucchero; continue to the former mining village of Nebida

   This is another tough day, but you will be rewarded with superb scenery! After a fantastic descent to the Mannu River, you will reach the start of the miles of remote golden beaches around Portixeddu. You will cycle past the abandoned mines of Pranu Sartu and the stunning inlet of Cala Domestica before reaching the 130m (426ft) high sea-stack of Pan di Zucchero and the former mining village of Nebida where you will have dinner.
   
   

   • 25.5 miles
   • -1,000.7 ft
     2,509.8 ft
     3,510.5 ft
   • Local accommodation
   • Breakfast and Dinner
5. Day 5Descend to Fontanamare; board the ferry to the fishing village of Carloforte

   Today's route starts with a beautiful descent to Fontanamare followed by an undulating coastal ride to Portoscuso. Here, you will board the local ferry to the fishing village of Carloforte, the only existing one on Isola di San Pietro (San Pietro Island). There is time to explore this delightful islet with its sandy coves, dramatic rocky headlands and tiny hamlets, before rejoining the ferry to the equally unspoilt island of Sant' Antioco.
   
   

   • 32.9 miles
   • -164 ft
     820.2 ft
     984.3 ft
   • Local accommodation
   • Breakfast
6. Day 6Cycle through the meadows of Sant'Antioco; visit the Romanesque Pisan sanctuary and ride along the quiet country lanes of Sulcis

   This morning you will cycle through the lush meadows of the island of Sant’Antioco before crossing back to the mainland and visit the Pisan sanctuary at Tratalias, dating back to the Romanesque period. From here you will ride across the quiet country lanes of Sulcis until reaching the village of Sant’Anna Arresi. Nearby are the pinewoods, lagoons and beaches of Porto Pino.
   
   

   • 35.4 miles
   • 
     1,246.7 ft
     1,246.7 ft
   • Local accommodation
   • Breakfast
7. Day 7Pedal across the rolling hills of the Costa del Sud; climb up to the high point of Cape Malfatano for views of the coast; transfer and overnight in Cagliari

   Today is the longest day in terms of distance. You will pedal across the beautiful southern countryside over the jagged coastal plains of the Costa del Sud, a wild and unspoilt region of gleaming white beaches, coastal pools and imposing high cliffs punctuated by 16th Century Spanish watchtowers. You will cycle as far as Cape Teulada, Sardinia’s southernmost tip, where dramatic cliffs rise up to 230m (754ft) above the crystal clear sea. You will stop in Pula, famous for its proximity to the ancient Phoenician site of Nora, founded in the 9th Century BC and now partly submerged under the sea (optional guided visit). From the end of the ride, you will take a private transfer to Cagliari, where you can celebrate the end of a great cycling week; dinner and overnight in Cagliari.
   
   

   • 37.3 miles
   • 
     1,968.5 ft
     1,968.5 ft
   • Hotel in Cagliari
   • Breakfast and Dinner
8. Day 8End Cagliari

   The tour ends today in Cagliari.
   
   
   

   • Breakfast