Cycling in Sardinia
Cycling in Sardinia
Cycling in Sardinia
8 Days Starting in Cabras and ending in Pula
Visiting: Italy
Tour Overview
Plunge into the wild yet romantic beauty of south-western Sardinia and cycle beside empty beaches and sandunes in total freedom and at your own pace. The terrain is rugged in parts, with high cliffs ascending from the coast, interspersed with long sandy beaches, grass covered dunes and breathtaking views. The ride commences through the fascinating Sinis wetlands, home to colonies of pink flamingos, white quartz beaches and the Phoenician ruins of Tharros. At Costa Verde you'll encounter some of the wildest scenery on the island before pedalling on to some of the highest sand dunes in Europe, many up to 50m high. Your self guided cycling journey will also take you to the fascinating abandoned mines of Ingurtosu and Planusartu, the golden beaches of Portixeddu and the impressive Pan di Zucchero cliffs before descending to Fontanamare. The trip concludes with sensational cycling along the beautiful Costa del Sud, with its gleaming white beaches, and a visit to an ancient Phoenician settlement.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Cabras
Make your own way to Cabras, where you will meet with our local representative for an explanation of the route and bike delivery (this is at 5pm on Saturdays only). If you can’t arrive before this time all information will be left at the hotel for you. If you have booked the trip to arrive on a day other than Saturday, everything will be left awaiting your arrival. Cabras is a small town with a lot to see and do, and is located near a splendid lagoon which is sometimes home to flamingos.
Day 2 : Circular Ride To Visit The Phoenician Ruins Of Tharros, Then To Arborea (36 Or 68Km/22 Or 42Mi)
Start your trip with an optional loop of the fascinating Sinis wetlands, where you can see colonies of pink flamingos in season (Spring) and quartz beaches, and reach one of the most beautiful spots on the island: the Phoenician ruins of Tharros. Local wine production is mainly a sherry-like Vernaccia and you may be able to visit a cellar along the way. Cross the medieval historic centre of Oristano to reach Arborea, where you stay overnight.
Approx. ascent/descent: +/- 185m/607ft
Day 3 : Cycle Through The Costa Verde To Piscinas Beach (46-54Km/28.5-33.5Mi)
Today you cycle to Piscinas beach through the natural beauty spots of the Costa Verde, which has some of the wildest scenery on the island. Initially there is a flat 12km/7.5mi section across reclaimed farmland to the colourful fishing village of Marceddi. Rice, fruit and vegetables are grown here for the “cucine” (kitchens) of the island. From here the route becomes more undulating, with sand dunes over 50m/164ft high, some of the highest in Europe, skirting the beach. It is possible to be collected here (on request only) and driven up to Arbus, or you could take the steep but spectacular inland route directly to the village by bike. Overnight in Arbus in an agriturismo or family run hotel.
Approx. ascent/descent: +1000m/3280ft, -580m/1902ft
Day 4 : Via The Mines Of Sulcis To Nebida (41Km/25.5Mi)
This leg takes you back into the ancient mining past of Sardinia, as you pass the fascinating abandoned mines of Planusartu and Acquaresi. A descent takes you to the golden beach of Portixeddu, from where you continue via the looming mass of the Pan di Zucchero cliff. You can admire the old ore washery 'Laveria Lamarmora' at Nebida, where you stay overnight in a cosy 'locanda'.
Approx. ascent/descent:+765m/209ft, -1070m/3510ft
Day 5 : Cycle To Portoscuso, Ferry To Carloforte, Ride To Sant'antioco And Calasetta (43Km/26.5Mi)
Start the day with a beautiful descent to Fontanamare, followed by an undulating coastal ride to Portoscuso. Here you board a ferry (at own expense) to Carloforte on Isola di San Pietro, where the locals still fish for red tuna. There is time for a short tour round the island, exploring sandy coves and rocky headlands with tiny hamlets, before taking another ferry to the equally unspoiled island of Sant'Antioco, to end your day in Calasetta. Note that it is not possible to book the ferry in advance.
Approx. ascent/descent: +290m/951ft, -435m/1417ft
Day 6 : Cross Back To The Mainland And Cycle To Sant'anna Arresi/Teulada (40Km/25Mi)
This morning you can laze at the beach or take a short ride to explore the island's coves and beaches, green (or golden in the summer!) meadows and little villages. Cross back to the mainland to cycle through vineyards and olive groves and savour the peace and quiet of the rolling plains of Sulcis. You can visit the Pisan sanctuary at Tratalias, one of the most important monuments from the Sardinian Romanesque period. Rugged mountains once again rise inland. Continue to your hotel at Sant'Anna Arresi / Teulada.
Approx. ascent/descent: +150m/488ft, -65m/214ft
Day 7 : Peddle To Pula (57Km/35.5Mi)
Your last cycling day is at the beautiful Costa del Sud, with its gleaming white beaches, unspoiled natural landscape and imposing cliffs: Cape Malfatano with its a 16th century tower, and Capo Spartivento. A short detour leads to the beautiful beach of Su Giudeu in Chia, and at Nora you can visit the ancient Phoenician settlement. Overnight in Pula.
Approx. ascent/descent: +530m/1738ft, -590m/1935ft
Day 8 : Trip Concludes (Goodbye - Arrivederci)!
Trip concludes after breakfast.
What's Included
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Accommodation
7 nights in 3 star hotels -
7 breakfasts
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7 nights accommodation in 3 star hotels (Cat B) on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities (upgrade option to Cat A mainly 4 star hotels available 11 May-12Oct 2024 - supplement applies)
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Digital information pack: navigational app with route notes and maps
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Luggage Transfer, 1 piece maximum 20kg, supplement applies for excess
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Rental touring bike with helmet, pannier, map and handlebar phone holder and water bottle per bike plus repair kit with inner tube and tools per 2 bikes (electric bike available on request - supplement applies)
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Welcome meeting (or call, if day 1 is not a Saturday)
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Optional transfer at the end of day 3 to Arbus (must be requested)
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Emergency hotline
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Travel to Cabras and from Pula
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Meals not listed as included, drinks
What's Not Included
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Dinners, lunches & beverages
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Travel to the start and from the end point of the trip
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Personal expenses
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Unscheduled transfers required during the trip
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Entrance fees to museums and archaeological sights
Grading
This tour is graded moderate (grade 3) with daily cycling distances between 40 and 57km (25 and 35.5mi). There are 3 mainly flat easy stages, 2 undulating stages and 1 stage that is more hilly. The accent is on keeping a relaxed pace to take in all of the attractions, with time to stop and take photos. It is considered suitable for cyclists with a good level of fitness. *For safety reasons, we insist that cycle helmets be included as a compulsory item on your equipment list.
Accommodation
7 nights in 3 star hotels
During the trip you will stay in 3 star hotels or upgrade to premium hotels (supplement applies). The hotels described are our usual choice of accommodation, however if these are not available then alternatives are used and if these are of a different standard you will be informed at the time of booking. Baths/showers: Many rooms with ensuite/private facilities have a shower rather than a bath, usually because of limited space. Some hotels/guesthouses may however have a separate room in the house where a bath is available to guests.
What You Carry
During the cycle day you will carry your daily requirements in the pannier provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, mobile phone and water. A small daypack which can be kept inside the pannier is useful for sightseeing.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
UTracks allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform utracks, 70 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.