Southern Sardinia self guided bike route

Tour profile:

All islands have a peculiar fascination, and Sardinia is no exception. Lying a little less than 200 km from the Italian mainland it is the Mediterranean’s second biggest island after Sicily with only 1.6 million people and one of the lowest population density among Italian regions, Sardinia encompasses a range of diverse faces, from the stereotyped yachting elite of the fabled Costa Emeralda to the simple shepherd’s society of the mountainous interior. The southern coast offers a highly scenic sequence of inlets punctuated by Spanish watchtowers and Chia has an almost unbroken succession of beaches, probably the best in Southern Sardinia.

Day 1: Cabras – Individual arrival

Private transfer to Cabras or independent arrival, overnight.

Day 2: The Sinis Peninsula – 68 km/43 miles

Cycling through the fascinating Sinis wetlands where you will see colonies of pink flamingos and finally reach one of the most beautiful spots on the Sardinia island: the white quartz beach of Is Arutas and the Phoenician ruins of Tharros

Day 3: Costa Verde and dunes of Piscinas – 54 km/34 miles

After a transfer to Arborea, you will cycle through the natural beauty of the Costa Verde, some of the most savage scenery on the island, to the Piscinas beach with its sands dunes of over 50 m high – the highest in Europe.

Day 4: Arbus – Gonnesa. The mines of Sulcis – 41 km/26 miles

This leg takes you back into the ancient mining past of Sardinia, as we passing the abandoned mines of Ingortosu and Planusartu. After the golden beach of Portixeddu and looming mass of Pan di Zucchero cliffs, you admire the old ore washery at Nebida: nestling in the varied colours of the Mediterranean bush, it looks out over the sea at the end of a long descent down 540 steps.

Day 5: The island of Carloforte – 43 km/27 miles

After a scenic descent into Fontanamare, you will reach Portoscuso, and board the ferry to Carloforte, where locals still fish for Red Tuna. From Carloforte, continue to the island of Sant’Antioco and end your day in Calasetta.

Day 6: Calasetta – S. Anna Arresi – 40 km/25 miles

Today, you cycling through the Sant’Antioco meadows, green in springtime and golden yellow in the summer. At Tratalias, visit the Pisan sanctuary, one of the most important monuments of the Sardinian Romanesque period. Riding along the lake Monte Pranu, savour the tranquility of the rolling plains of Sulcis.

Day 7: Sant’Anna Arresi – Pula, the south coast – 57 km/36 miles

Final leg of the bike tour is the beautiful Costa del Sud with its gleaming white beaches, unspoilt natural landscape and imposing cliffs: Cape Malfatano with its 16th Century tower and Cape Spartivento. At Nora you can visit the ancient Phoenician settlement.

Day 8: Departure day – End of tour or extension

After breakfast, end of services.