Sardinia: Mines of Memories Biking

Day 1 – Welcome to Sardinia!

Transfer from Cagliari Airport to your first hotel, outside Oristano. An airport bus from Alghero to Cagliari meets incoming flights and stops at Oristano en route. On arrival you will receive your tour itinerary and bike. Our hotel is a small country estate on the Sinis peninsula, between Oristano and the ruins of Tharros. We will have dinner together.

Day 2 – Loop ride of Cabras (31.2 miles/52 km)

An easy first day, cycling the flat coastal plains of the Sinis wetlands. The salt ponds around the gulf are home to thousands of pink flamingos (in season) and a wealth of other bird life. You may see locals fishing for mullet or bass from traditional glass-bottomed fassone boats. Circling the lake to Riola Sardo you return to the coast at Mari Ermi, and the spectacular white quartz beach of Is Arutas. A short trip down the peninsula to San Giovanni Sinis brings you to the Phoenician ruins of Tharros, with a history stretching back almost 2,500 years. Wine production here is mainly sherry-like vernaccia, and you may be able to visit a cellar on the way. Dinner and overnight again in Sa Pedrera.

Day 3 – San Salvatore Sinis to Arbus (24.6 miles/41 km)

To avoid the less interesting suburbs of Oristano we transfer by van to Arborea, to cycle to Piscinas, on the Costa Verde. It is a flat 8 miles across reclaimed farmland to the colorful fishing village of Marceddì. Rice, soft fruit and vegetables are grown for the cucinas (kitchens) of Sardinia. From Marceddì it becomes more rolling, with low hills and huge sand dunes skirting the coast. At Piscinas we are collected by transport and taken up into the hills for a night in Arbus. There is an alternative inland route direct to the village – a little more hilly, but spectacular scenery – for those who wish to continue biking. Dinner and overnight at Arbus.

Day 4 – Arbus to Nebida (25.8 miles/43 km)

The toughest day, but some glorious scenery to compensate! You start by going mostly down hill from Arbus to the river Mannu, and then along miles the golden beaches of Portixeddu. To the left is the massive Monte Linas, with the Costa Verde and Erica bushes covering the sand dunes. After the unfortunately named mining town of Buggerru and the Pranu Sartu plateau, you will come to the charming Cala Domestica Bay. Inland, the Marganai Mountains rise to almost 3,500 feet. You will arrive in Nebida, another old mining hamlet. Here you will stay in a simple village with a 2-star hotel, good for a home cooked dinner and overnight.

Day 5 – Nebida to Calasetta (25. 8 miles/43 km)

A beautiful descent to Fontanamare followed by an undulating coastal ride to Portoscuso.

Here, board the local ferry to Carloforte on Isola di San Pietro. There is time for a short itinerary around the island, exploring sandy coves and dramatic rocky headlands, tiny hamlets before rejoining the ferry to continue to equally unspoilt Sant’ Antioco. Note that it is not possible to book the ferry in advance, and you will need to pay on arrival. Dinner and overnight just outside Calasetta at a lovely hotel near the white sandy beach of Spiaggia Grande.

Day 6 – Calasetta to Sant’ Anna Arresi (36 miles/60 km)

A morning to lounge by the pool, explore the nearby coast, or go for a short cycle ride around the island with its wealth of coves, beaches, green meadows (or golden in the summer) and little villages. After a visit to the ancient Sant’Antioco, cross back to the mainland, to visit the Pisan sanctuary at Tratalias – one of the most important monuments from the Romanesque period. From here you follow the shoreline of Lake Monte Pranu through the rolling plains of Sulcis. Once again, rugged mountains rise up around 4,000 ft. Just before the village of Sant’ Anna Arresi you reach your hotel, well situated overlooking the emerald green waters of the Golfo di Palmas. Nearby are the bright white beaches of Porto Pino which are backed by dunes and Aleppo pine woods. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay here.

Day 7 – S. Anna Arresi to Pula (37 miles/60km)

Today, the longest day by distance, but a gentle ride in the countryside along the rugged coastal plains of the southern coast. This is a remote, wild and beautiful region of Mediterranean bush and coastal pools, gleaming white beaches and imposing cliffs. Cape Malfatano and Cala Piscinnì each boast a 16th Century tower. At Capo Teulada the spectacular cliffs rise more than 700 feet from a translucent sea. A short detour will take you to the beautiful beach of Su Giudeu in Chia. Enjoy! Then to Pula an important Phoenician city of Nora. Your last night is at the luxurious oasis of i Giardini di Alice, once a thoroughbred farm and now a lovely hotel complex in its own 25 acre park. Dinner and overnight here.

Day 8 – Departure Day

The tour ends after breakfast with a transfer available back to Cagliari Airport or bus to Alghero. Ciao!

Actual tour itinerary may vary slightly due to unforeseen circumstances.

Coming soon.

Level of Difficulty: Moderate

With an average daily distance of 48 km and climb of 478 m, we classify this tour as moderate plus. Days 1, 4 and 5 are easy with a climb below 230 m, day 6 is moderate (climb 550 m). The two hardest days are 2 and 3 with an overall climb of 1050 and 700 m respectively.

Over 90% of the total distance develops on secondary paved roads with very limited motorized traffic. The rest is on compact unpaved roads.

Why This Tour

All islands have a peculiar fascination, and Sardinia is no exception. Lying a little less than 200km from the Italian mainland and at same distance from the Tunisian coast, Sardinia is often a pleasant surprise to the curious traveller.

The tour develops in the fascinating South-West of the island, an area formerly interested by mining activity that has kept mass tourism away. Nowadays mining has stopped leaving unspoilt beaches and a glorious undeveloped coastline to enjoy during this week long “Off the beaten track” bike tour.

You will find at least one beautiful pristine beach every day and also dramatic cliffs and numerous lagoons which accounts for a rich diversity of wildlife, as do the forested mountains and the wild macchia that carpets the interior.

The sand dunes of Piscinas (some of the highest in Europe), the imposing rock of Pan di Zucchero and the Costa del Sud are just some of the scenic highlights of this tour.

The Phoenician and Roman settlements of Tharros, Sant’Antioco and Nora are a must for those interested in archaeology.

Travel Notes

The reference airport for the tour is Cagliari. Low-cost airlines are offering good deals from London to Sardinia.

Easyjet flies daily from London Luton to Cagliari and Ryan air offers a daily connection (two flights from April to October) from Stansted to Alghero in Northern Sardinia.

A dedicated bus service operates the route Alghero airport-Oristano-Cagliari. The bus leaves the airport half hour after the flight has landed. If the flight is late, the bus waits for the flight arrival. On arrival, you should take the bus down to Oristano. At the end of the tour, the same bus will take you from Cagliari to Alghero airport.

More expensive alternatives to low-cost carriers are BA or Alitalia. They don’t fly direct and it is necessary to change in Rome or Milan.

Group tour price

€ 1270 (minimum 8 people) – currency converter

Additional options

• High-season surcharge – € 150 (July 1 – August 31)
• Private room – € 230 (€ 260 in case of a person traveling alone on a self guided tour)
• Non-Saturday departure – € 50 (self-guided tours only)
• Bike rental – € 100 (€ each additional day)
• Transfer rates (per person, two person minimum)
  • Cagliari-San Salvatore Sinis – € 50
  • Oristano-San Salvatore Sinis – € 20
  • Pula-Cagliari – € 30
  • Pula-San Salvatore Sinis € 55

Included

• Seven Nights in 3 star hotels (except for Nebida: 2 stars) with en suite bathroom
• Seven breakfasts and seven dinners
• Transfer from San Salvatore Sinis to Arborea
• Transfer at the end of day 2 (optional)
• Support van on days 2 and 3
• One English-speaking guide
• the assistance of local professional guides
• Tickets for ferries to Carloforte and Calasetta.
• Detailed route information and maps
• Luggage transfer
• Detailed road book and maps

Not included

• Admission to museums and archaeological sites
• Tickets for train and any public transportation
• Wine and beverages
• Airfare
• Transfers to the starting point or from the finishing point unless specified; we can assist you in planning and arranging for any necessary shuttles
• Transport of bike case (for guests who bring their own bike)
• Personal expenses (laundry, personal supplies, phone calls, etc.)
• Gratuity

Self-guided option

This tour is also available as a self-guided option at a cost of € 995 per person. Self-guided tours beginning on days other than Saturday must pay a surcharge of € 50. This option includes:

• Seven nights in 3 star hotels (except Nebida: 2 stars) with en suite bathroom
• Seven breakfasts
• Transfers (2) to avoid mountain roads and shorten the mileage
• Welcome meeting (tour explanation and bike fitting)
• Baggage transportation from hotel to hotel
• Detailed route information and maps
• Telephone assistance

Tour code

SAM