Costa Smeralda Biking
Epic Costa Smeralda biking trip
Sardinia: the lure of Costa Smeralda! You don’t have to be rich to enjoy the famous island’s Emerald Coast, with its wonderful beaches & nightlife!
Join this bike tour if you want to explore Sardinia’s most charming Costa Smeralda, still VIP’s destination for European jet set.
Wow moments
- Take the ferry boat to La Maddalena island and bridge to Caprera island
- Explore the Costa Smeralda’s glorious beaches.
- Enjoy some of the best local bottarga the Sardinian caviar
- Alghero old Catalan town with walls
- Cycling in Gallura cork forest
- Take a picnic of pane carasau – traditional Sardinian flat bread, cured meat and rich pecorino sardo
From Olbia to the endearing Coral Coast of Alghero, ride this journey Coast to Coast: all the way from the East to West coast of Sardinia, through all the beauty and mystery.
You will find the right mixture between the flavors of the island and the elegance of the cultures: from Costa Smeralda travel between uncontaminated mountain ranges of the Gallura region, which is rich of and known for high quality, prestigious wines such as its Vermentino and the Cannonau.
You will love the prehistoric fortified stone towers, villages, sacred wells and megalithic giants tombs found in the mountainous interior. The island is home to more than 7,000 stone towers called Nuraghi built in the Early Bronze Age between 1600 and 1100 B.C.
Trip start in Arzachena, a little town on the northeast coast, very close to Olbia.
Here you can admire the brilliance and tranquility of the Mediterranean Sea and ride along the quiet, windy roads which lead you to one of the most beautiful minor islands of Sardinia: La Maddalena, with its archipelago and its rich history. Then you travel west, in direction Tempio Pausania, which lies in the heart of the Gallura at the foot of Monte Limbara. From this point, you keep traveling in the direction of the sea, precisely to Castelsardo, where you can admire the island of Corsica on a clear day. Further ahead, you’ll visit Stintino, a jewel on the Mediterranean sea. And for your last day of cycling, you’ll arrive at the cosmopolitan city of Alghero.
DAY 1
Arrival at Olbia, transfer to Arzachena (25 km) on your own, at your first accommodation. Meet&Greet with professional Bike Fitting.
Today we arrange a short bike ride to reach to all the tourist spots and to the extraordinary beaches of the entire Costa Smeralda: Porto Cervo, Porto Rotondo, Cala di Volpe
The real draw here is the beaches. Lapped by translucent blue waters, backed by macchia scrubland perfumed by wild herbs such as thyme, rosemary and oregano- and framed by Mistral-warped granite outcrops, they are among the finest in the Mediterranean.
Distance: 40 km / 24.8 mi
DAY 2
Loop bike ride from Arzachena to Cannigione, Palau & La Maddalena island – Ferryboat to the island
Today you’ll ride along the coast with breathtaking scenery. First stop is Cannigione city center is right next to the sea and is made up of a series of pastel colored buildings creating a perfect atmosphere. Heading towards Palau, where you can take the ferryboat to reach the amazing little island La Maddalena – it is 20 minutes on boat. The Archipelago of La Maddalena National Park was constituted in 1996 for the protection of its fauna and flora. Leaving La Maddalena and passing through the breakwater of Passo della Moneta that joins the minor islands, you can reach the Island of Caprera.
A country road leads through the whole pine forest and takes you to the centre of the island. From there, you can admire the whole coast of nearby Corsica. Return to Arzachena via the same route.
Distance from 45 to 62 km / 28 to 38 mi, flat and rolling hill, seaside.
DAY 3
Bike ride from Arzachena to Tempio Pausania via Calangianus.
Leaving Costa Smeralda, you start venturing into wild Sardinia, discovering many little villages of the inland and the Gallura cork forests. You’ll climb into Tempio Pausania sitting at 600mt above the sea. In Tempio, the climactic conditions have always favored grape growing, which allows the production of precious and famous wines like Muscat or Vermentino as well as excellent red and rosé wines.
Handcrafts are another flourishing activity in Tempio – visitors cannot leave the area without a proper cork souvenir. Cork forests are really spectacular here. A visit at Nuraghe Majori is highly recommended.
Distance 57 km / 35 mi, hilly terrain.
DAY 4
Bike ride from Tempio Pausania to Castelsardo via S. Maria Coghinas.
Today you’ll ride a downhill admiring the cork forest once more, towards the sea, destination Castelsardo town. You’ll ride into Santa Maria Coghinas before arriving in front of the Mediterranean Sea, near the “Bocche di Bonifacio” strait. Here you can easily admire the island of Corsica on a clear day. Not to be missed is a visit to elephant rock and the Doria castle. Castelsardo is a medieval village founded by the Genoese family of Doria in the 12th century and it is strategically situated on the summit of a rocky promontory dominating the harbor. Don’t miss out on an amazing walk within the castle walls and through the historical city center.
Distance 61 km / 38 mi, hilly terrain.
DAY 5
Bike ride from Castelsardo to Stintino via Porto Torres.
Today you’ll pedal with the sea always on your right side towards Porto Torres, a pretty seaside city, which is Sardinia’s third largest harbour.
Ride through a magnificent pine forest and always close to the sea. At the end of the ride, you’ll arrive to Stintino, which overlooks the Asinara Gulf. It came into existence precisely in 1885, when the families who lived on the Asinara Island, were evicted to make way for the penal colony.
Not to be missed the world famous beach of “La Pelosa” 2 km after Stintino and in front of Asinara island.
Distance 62 km / 38 mi, hilly terrain.
DAY 6
Bike ride from Stintino to Alghero via Palmadula and Capo Caccia.
Your last ride is terrific: cycling on south direction you have the option to visit the Argentiera old mine area and Capo Caccia situated a few kilometers from Alghero. There are characteristic, impressive cliffs (nearly 300mt high) on its west side.
Finally you arrive to the Sardinian town of Alghero which is a lively and pretty city and a flourishing tourist attraction not only for the summer masses and elite tourism, but also for a new cosmopolitanism. The Mura Catalane still surround the old town center on the seaward side with its watchtowers, where it will be pleasant for you to walk along and have a drink at sunset before a seafood dinner!
Distance 64 km / 39 mi, mostly flat
DAY 7
After breakfast, end of tour!
Optional loop bike ride to enjoy the coast a little more!
INFO TOUR
best period From March to November except August
DIFFICULTY Easy to Moderate
TOUR REVIEWS
Price & Inclusions
Cost: Euro 1650 er person in double occupancy
Single room supplement Euro 550
Note: July & August price will be more due to highest season hotel rates, price on request
Inclusions
Six nights in excellent four & three-star superior hotels
Six breakfasts
One gourmet dinner
All Baggage transfers
RideWithGPS App: tracks, route notes, off-line navigation
Trip notes: Sightseeing & meals suggestions
Maps with elevation gain
Delivery bikes at Canigione & bike fitting
Pick-up of bikes and gear in Alghero
Keepsake Cicloposse water bottle
Sales taxes
Not Included
Bike Rental per entire tour
Hybrid bike € 190
Road bike, E-Bike, Gravel bike € 260
Optional
Cooking lesson
Cheese tasting
Wine tasting
The Tenuta Pilastru is a rural hotel, built according to the traditional Gallura farmhouse style in consideration of the surrounding natural environment. The environment is delightful, surrounded by the beauties of nature, ideal for whoever is seeking for relaxation of body and mind. Featuring a wellness and fitness center, Tenuta Pilastru offers a garden and terrace with a free outdoor pool. All the air-conditioned, rustic-style rooms are in typical Stazzo granite buildings, each room has a private furnished patio.
Situated in the inland of Gallura, protected by green soft Hills and surrounded by unspoilt nature, the Hotel is a little embracing masterpiece. The essence of the place is given away by the name: Agnata in Gallura means “hidden corner” sheltered from the wind.
Located on the waterfront below the castle walls, rooms are soundproofed and well-appointed with every comfort. The SPA awaits a true oasis of well-being with natural treatments, so relax and regeneration of nature
Stintino 103 hotel is right in the center of this fisherman village, a beautiful location overlooking the new port of Stintino where you can find restaurants and shops. In addition to the hotel rooms, there is a bar, an artisanal gelato shop and a small boutique of Sardinian typical products.
Villa Mosca is a prestigious Art Nouveau residence. Located on the Lungomare Dante, right on the beachfront, surrounded by lush grounds and overlooking the sea, a short distance from the centre of this celebrated city which, displays a strong Catalan influence. The building, with its unusual octagonal shape, plays host to 6 elegant, intimate and refined rooms, while the extensive grounds encompass the Villini rooms.
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