Sardinian Highlights
Road Cycling Holidays in Sardinia
- The cycling highlights of Sardinia – experience the best routes and climbs of the island in six days
- Flexible itinerary: perfect for mixed ability groups, plus optional extra riding for those looking to push themselves further
- Cycle at your own pace every day, so there is no being held up or holding others up
- Conquer Passo di Genna Silana and the Orientale Sarda Road – showcased by the Giro in 2017
- 3 & 4* hotels, most with swimming pools, plus traditional Sardinian cuisine (all evening meals & wine included)
- Excellent support from two customised support vans and our two experienced, proactive guides focused on making your holiday the best it can be.
Days on the bike
I'm still buzzing from a fantastic holiday in all respects. The attention to little details and all the behind the scenes organisation was wonderful.
C Seavell
Introduction
The Mediterranean island of Sardinia is a cycling paradise! It offers a fantastic climate, beautiful sandy beaches, and magnificent mountainous areas with almost traffic-free roads and great tarmac. This superb, flexible route cycling tour showcases the very best of the island, and we guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
This holiday is not only about the cycling. During the week you’ll enjoy delicious traditional cuisine and an introduction to the culture of this fascinating island. We’ve crafted this tour around wonderful 3* and 4* hotels, most with pools and some with spa facilities so that you can make the most of your post-ride relaxation time.
Cycling in the mountains is never easy, but the island’s gradients are generally kind. The daily Classic routes average 83km with 1,475m of ascending, so it is one of our gentler options. As with all our flexible pace tours, there are daily opportunities to extend yourself further, should you wish; the Challenge routes average 121km with 2,383m of ascending.
We’re often asked what the difference is between Sardinia and Corsica, so if you wanted to know this, you could read our two-part blog here: Part I & Part II. We hope it helps you decide which of these Mediterranean isles is best for you and your goals. It is important to us that you book the right holiday for you, so do download the Trip Notes for all the details on how this holiday works, food, accommodation, travel, and so on.
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
Departure Dates & Prices
2025
Discount Information
We are pleased to offer some tempting discounts off the basic trip cost (not including extras such as single rooms or bike hire):
- Book & pay your deposit more than 6 months in advance of the start of your holiday for our 5% early bookers discount
- Get a group of 10+ people together for a 7.5% group discount and, as the group organiser, receive a £150 voucher for your next holiday
- Be rewarded for your loyalty by receiving a 10% discount from your 3rd Marmot trip onwards
Please note that there is a maximum 10% discount on any holiday.
Map
Itinerary
Day 0: Arrival day
We offer included airport transfers at scheduled times from Olbia OLB airport to our fabulous, boutique-style 4* start hotel Hotel Su Lithu in Bitti, famous for its tenor folk singers. The transfer time is around 1hr 15min.
Assemble your bike (or set up your hire bike) before the welcome briefing and dinner. For those arriving early, the afternoon can be spent relaxing by the pool or exploring the village.
Full travel and group airport transfer information can be found in our Trip Notes.
Day 1: Bitti to Lago di Gusana
Today’s ride is the perfect introduction to cycling in Sardinia. We set out through the cork plantations, undulating on empty roads with good surfaces. You then enjoy a delightful descent across the island’s central plain. A couple of cheeky climbs take you to the town of Sarule, from where you have options on what to do next. The most direct route takes you via the historic town of Gavoi, which is well worth exploring. The slightly Harder route skirts around the edge of Lago di Chucchinadorza, while the Challenge route takes you over the mountains of Teti and Tiana.
All roads lead down to the Lago di Gusana and the 4* Hotel Taloro, built on a peninsula jutting out into the reservoir.
Classic route: 76km with 1400m ascent [ride profile]
Harder route: 95km with 1700m ascent [ride profile]
Challenge route: 126km with 2450m ascent [ride profile]
Day 2: Lago di Gusana to Aritzo
Today we cycle the highest surfaced road in Sardinia to Bruncu Spina (1570m), the island’s only ski resort. Climbing directly from the hotel (at 650m), the forests give way to open moorland and spectacular views. The climb itself is full of character and although the gradients are generally kind, there are a few short, challenging sections of up to 12%. It is well worth the effort, and the descent is exquisite.
A short climb takes you back up the Arcu de Tascusì (1245m) for lunch. From here you can head directly to the idyllic 4* Hotel Sa Muvara (where we spend two nights) to relax by the pool, or head off to explore more of the Gennargentu mountains.
Classic route: 73km with 1600m ascent [ride profile]
Challenge route: 94km with 2300m ascent [ride profile]
Day 3: Day ride from Aritzo
Today we explore the valley of the Rio Flumendosa and the island’s central plains. It is an excellent ride through rural Sardinia with constantly changing scenery on quiet, well-surfaced roads. You start climbing gently straight from the hotel to the Valico Sa Casa (1040m), which is set in a sparse, shrubby pine forest. From here you undulate with a downhill bias for 30km over the Valico Ortuabis and down to the reservoir of the Lago Basso del Flumendosa. Climbing up the other side of the valley, you pass the mountain hamlets of Sadali and Seule, before crossing the river for a final time and climbing over the Passo Cossatzu (866m).
The Challenge route takes you further south, past the bronze age settlement of Nuraghe Arrubiu. It then crosses the river Flumendosa down at 150m and involves a couple of steeper climbs before rejoining the classic route.
If you require a rest day, taking a day off the bike is also an option! The hotel has a swimming pool and the village of Aritzo is worth exploring.
Classic route: 86.6km with 1580m ascent [ride profile]
Challenge route: 136.7km with 2370m ascent [ride profile]
Day 4: Aritzo to Valico Strisaili
The promise of huge views and interesting landscapes as you circumnavigate the Gennargentu Massif is a huge incentive to get you going this morning! The recently surfaced road from the Passo Cossatzu (886m) to the Arcu de Tascussi (1245m) is a truly wonderful start to the day. This leads to the Arcu Correboi (1246m), which was once an important mountain pass; a new road has recently been tunnelled through the hillside, making it virtually traffic-free. The views from here are spectacular, and the descent is an absolute gem – the gradients are constant and the corners are sweeping. On reaching the valley floor, you traverse a sparse landscape of rock and ancient oak trees.
Your destination is the 4* Orlando Resort Hotel (with spa & pool facilities), nestled in Santa Barbara National Park. Retiring gracefully to a lounger is a good option, but as always, there is more cycling on offer if you wish, and the Arzana loop of our Challenge route will certainly test your legs!
Classic route: 76.4km with 1470m ascent [ride profile]
Challenge route: 104.8km with 2110m ascent [ride profile]
Day 5: Valico Strisaili to Cala Gonone
Leaving your mountain retreat behind, you climb gently to Valico Talana (1100m) for a breathtaking view of the coastal plain below. The only way is down, and this descent has style! Next up is the magnificent Orientale Sarda road, showcased by the Giro d’Italia in Spring 2017. Built in the 1800s, it is a feat of engineering that climbs up to the Passo di Genna Silana (1008m).
Your destination is the beachfront hotel Bue Marino in Cala Gonone, a quiet coastal village once only accessible by sea. Luckily for you, a hole was bored through the mountain and a fantastic series of hairpins was laid. These are guaranteed to get you to the coast with a smile on your face.
If relaxing on the beach is not your thing, then there is the option of taking on the locally-famed Strava segment up the concrete road that scales the cliff to the north of town. It is only 2.2km long, but with average gradients of 10% it will get your heart pounding!
Classic route: 79km with 1300m ascent [ride profile]
Challenge route: 122km with 2200m ascent [ride profile]
Day 6: Cala Gonone to Bitti
Re-acquaint yourself with the fantastic hairpins of yesterday evening, leaving the coast of Cala Gonone behind you as you climb. From here, undulate down onto the coastal plains that lead you to Siniscola at the foot of Monte Albo (820m), a massive white limestone ridge. The climb is jaw-dropping, benefitting from both mountain and sea views. Continue on this quiet and winding road before turning inland once again, ticking off the final few km to a lunch stop just over the summit.
Suitably sated, you meander with a downhill bias back to the picturesque pastoral village of Bitti and the Hotel Su Lithu, where your cycling adventure started a week ago. As always, for those wanting a bit more at the end of the day, there are a few optional climbs, which make the most of the nearby limestone mountain.
Easier route: 107km with 1400m ascent [ride profile]
Classic route: 114km with 1850m ascent [ride profile]
Challenge route: 148km with 2600m ascent [ride profile]
Day 7: Departure day
All good things must come to an end but we’re sure you’re memories of a fantastic week cycling in Sardinia will last a lifetime! We offer included transfers back to Olbia Airport (1hr 15min) at scheduled times in the morning.
Full travel advice (essential reading) can be found in our Trip Notes.
Trip Album
