• Meals: Dinner

Following your arrival in Cagliari you will be met and transferred (approx. 1 hour) to Montevecchio, an abandoned mining town just below the Arcuentu mountain range, three quarters of the way down the island.

You should arrive at your accommodation with plenty of time to discuss the details of your tour with your Skedaddle Representative, before sitting down to your first Sardinian meal.

• Meals: Breakfast, dinner
• Ascent: 800 Metres Approx.

Your first ride is a journey through varied landscapes, a true taster of what Sardinia has to offer and a great start to your challenge. Setting off from your accommodation, you will start this adventure with a great route which contours the Montevecchio mountains, taking you to Marina di Arbus Beach and offering superb vistas of the volcanic plug of Mount Arcuentu. Here your coast to coast adventure officially starts and you have plenty of time to absorb the remarkable landscape around you, with the emerald blue sea surrounded by hills carpeted with lush green maquis vegetation.

Heading north you will keep close to the coast before turning east and riding past the lagoon of Marceddi, where pink flamingoes can be spotted. The small town across the lagoon is famous for its shellfish. Pedalling through the Campidano Plain will not require much effort, as you ride past vast cultivated fields and little farming estates.

On reaching Guspini a gradual climb leads you back to Montevecchio, riding past the abandoned mine which once was a thriving community. Settling back at the accommodation you can relax by the pool enjoying the sunset and more delicious food.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 850 Metres Approx.

Leaving the Costa Verde, the first section contours the hills before descending into Arbus and the lower Campidano Plain that you will cross heading eastwards.

Taking a narrow country lane below the Castle of Monreale, you will arrive at St Maria delle Acque. Once a Roman thermal settlement, it is now one of the few remaining spa areas in Sardinia. A further short ride will take you to Sardara. Here, a stop to visit the remains of a pre-historic well, temple and adjacent museum will give you an insight into the Nuraghic Bronze Era, an ancient civilization unique to Sardinia.

Cycling onward on narrow country roads now brings you over the rolling Marmilla hills, offering great views of the expanse of agricultural land, olive groves and vineyards of this fertile part or Sardinia. Finally riding into Barumini, you have reached today’s destination.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 850 Metres Approx.

Following breakfast and with only a short day ahead of you today, you should have plenty of time pre-ride to visit the most important archeological site on the island, the Nuragic Fortress of Su Nuraxi and the near by museum. Keen to get going again, you’ll set off on today’s ride taking a superb selection of winding roads over the Marmilla Hills, riding past olive groves, vineyards, small farms and sleepy villages. The route takes you past the lake of Barroccus before you ride up to the sleepy hill town of Laconi.

• Meals: Breakfast, dinner
• Ascent: 1,750 Metres Approx.

With the whole day to reach your next destination, you have some time in the morning to wander the back streets of Laconi and visit the lovely gardens surrounding the Aymerich Castle. Leaving this quiet town behind, you take a winding road through lush oak woods, gradually climbing on a car-free road through the Gennargentu range in the very heart of Sardinia.

Your ride will take you through the mountain villages of Meana Sardo, Atzara and Belvi. The landscape will have now altered and is relatively barren and wild, with the sky filled with birds of prey, circling the thermals in search of their next meal. The unspoiled nature of this area makes it a fascinating area for naturalists, walkers and cyclists alike. It is an area that most vividly reflects the ancient character of the island. Shepherds trails and huts litter the landscape and villages perch over steep-sided valleys.

Tonight’s accommodation is on the outskirts of the town of Seulo and dinner will be at your accommodation. In these mountain villages, you will find a high concentration of ultra-centenarians! Nuoro Province was the first event identified “Blue Zone,” where people live well into their 100’s. You’ll spend your evening immersing yourself in their way of life (and maybe learn a few of their secrets). While you’re here, make sure to sample the delicious homemade pasta and wine of the region.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 1,500 Metres Approx.

A combination of climbs and descents will take you through another day of exhilarating landscapes and even deeper into the heart of Sardinia. Utilising mountain roads, you’ll have fun exploring the ‘Tacchi di Usassai’ and Montarbu mountain range, as you edge your way towards the fascinating mountain peak of Perda Liana. You will be passing a few small sleepy mountain villages and once more the vistas of the surrounding mountains are outstanding. The silence is broken only by the sound of sheep bells, cows and goats. You might even be lucky enough to spot royal kites, vultures, rock thrushes and pipits as you cycle along.

The morning climb is rewarded by the view of Perda Liana and an afternoon descent towards Ulassai. Whilst you remain in the bluezone hot spot you may be interested to know, Sardinia is unique among the blue zones as the only location where the ratio of male and female ultra-centenaries is just about even. Other blue zones the proportion is around 5 women : 1 man!

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 200 or 750 Metres Approx.

Today is the grand finale of your road cycling adventure with superb riding and descent to the coast of Bari Sardo.

You have two options today depending on if you wish to head straight to the coast or take in some more great mountain landscapes before your final descent.

If you opt for the longer ride – leaving the accommodation the initial part of the day will involve riding up towards the Sardinian natural monument, the pinnacle of Perda Liana before winding through the forest area of Villagrande and Lanusei. The gradual winding descent towards Bari Sardo takes you past vineyards and with great views it’s a great way to end your last day riding.

If you opt for the shorter ride, your leave Ulassai winding down the valley, past Jetzu and it’s vineyards. A meandering route through gentle countryside will take you to Cardedu and the coast of Bari Sardo, your final destination.

Here you stay at our well-appointed hotel and this evening and you can enjoy a final stroll to the beach for sunset from the coastal tower before heading to dinner.

• Meals: Breakfast

Depending on your flight time, hopefully you can set aside time in the morning to wander around Bari Sardo or simply laze on the beach. Once you‘re ready we will pick you up and transfer you to Cagliari airport for your flight home (approx. 2 hours).

If you have a day or two to spare why not extend your trip with some trekking or sea kayaking, exploring the rugged coastline, sea caves and white sandy beaches. Our local team can join you for a day’s guiding or we can provide the information and equipment to allow you to enjoy the routes self-guided, just give us a call for further info.