Road cycling facts
- Road cycling routes on Sardinia
many
- Best time to travel
March to June or September to December
- Flight connections
Edelweiss tips:
Sardinia is one of the world’s top cycling destinations, with a myriad of routes to choose from. Every tour is a voyage of discovery, either into the past of a host of different civilisations that settled on the island, or to spellbindingly beautiful landscapes set between the sea, the hinterland and limestone massifs. Please note that cyclists are required to wear high-visibility jackets (reflective vests) after dark in Italy. Bicycle helmets are mandatory for children up to the age of 14. Traffic on Sardinia’s roads tends to be sparse outside the beach holiday season. Time permitting, this is when cyclists can explore one of the multifaceted routes between the Edelweiss destinations of Olbia and Cagliari.
Top road cycling routes on Sardinia
Cycling around the island Medium
The whole island of Sardinia on a bike? A cyclist’s dream! The tour starts in Olbia, in north-eastern Sardinia, and takes cyclists along the heavenly Costa Smeralda to the island capital of Cagliari. It continues up the west coast via Sassari to the medieval Catalan city of Alghero and across the beautiful northern coast back to Olbia. The tour can also be done in the opposite direction. Cyclists can expect to discover a string of beaches, mountain passes and places of interest along the way. Not to mention the cafés and restaurants that serve typical Sardinian food!
- Length of tour 8 to 17 days
- Distance 1'080 km
- Ascent 13’630 m
- Descent -13’620 m
The perfect starting point: Orosei Difficult
Situated a good 90-minute drive south of Olbia, the municipality of Orosei sits in an area that oozes variety and means pure joy for road cyclists. The region has preserved a piece of Sardinia’s original soul, far away from the tourist frenzy. It offers abundant options for cyclists of all levels, including one of the island’s most beautiful stretches of coast with stunning bays, magnificent pine forests and fascinating limestone mountain ranges.
A short but intense tour along the north coast Medium
This cycling tour starts at the Isuledda Holiday Centre, a good 40-minute drive north of Olbia, and initially leads to the nearby municipality of Palau. Palau is widely known as a gateway for ferries bound for the Maddalena Archipelago, but this seaside village perched by the azure-blue sea is actually quite picturesque and worth a quick coffee stop. The tour continues on to the rural town of Bassacutena and, from there, to the town of Arzachena, before heading back again. This section requires considerable physical fitness. The richly colourful Arzachena with its wealth of flowers and green areas is definitely worth a visit. Time and interest permitting, cyclists may also want to visit the Nuraghe La Prisgiona, a well-preserved Nuragic archaeological site that dates back to the 14th century BC.
- Length of tour 6 h 50 min
- Distance 158 km
- Ascent 1’390 m
- Descent -1’390 m
The bike paradise of the beautiful south Difficult
This route starts in the charming village of Pula – under 40 minutes by car from Cagliari – and continues from on to Domus de Maria, embedded in the magnificent forests of Is Cannoneris. The next stretch is to Teulada, where cyclists-cum-history buffs can look forward to a host of historic and archaeological sites. The return route follows along the island’s beautiful southern coastline, which alternates between long sandy beaches and craggy rocks.
- Length of tour 4 h 10 min
- Distance 89,7 km
- Ascent 890 m
- Descent -890 m
Travelling on two wheels along the Costa Smeralda Medium
Starting in Marinella, which is roughly 20 minutes by car from Olbia, this route takes cyclists to San Pantaleo, which is known for its Thursday market. Cycling via the holiday resort of Baja Sardinia, the tour continues on to the chic town of Porto Cervo, which exudes a charming air of peace during the off-peak season. On the return ride, a stopover at Liscia Ruja Beach is recommended. This is the the Costa Smeralda’s largest beach and features fine white sand against the turquoise Mediterranean Sea.
- Length of tour 2 h 40 min
- Distance 52,4 km
- Ascent 810 m
- Descent -810 m
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