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TOUR STOPS AND TOPS

• 39.6666,9.1064

  mapcenter

• 38.9049,8.88117

  Chia

• 39.4422,8.41033

  Portixeddu

• 39.6935,9.25034

  Orroli

• 39.9612,9.46463

  Villanova Strisaili

• 40.1188,9.25197

  Fonni

• 39.217,9.11285

  Cagliari

Ride Highlights:
ROUTE SS125

THE MENTION IS NOT CASUAL: HAVING 150 PRO RIDERS RIDDEN THAT CLIMB, FURTHERMORE ON A DAY WITH SUPER STRONG TAILWIND, MAKES ANY ATTEMPT TO BREAK A RECORD - FOR THE PLEASURE OF YOUR STRAVA FOLLOWERS - A MASSIVE NON SENSE.

TRIP program

• DAY 1: ARRIVAL DAY

  Arrival at Cagliari airport and transfer to Chia. Accommodation and dinner at three-star hotel and welcome dinner.

• DAY 2: RIDE CHIA TO PORTIXEDDU
  123.1km | 1,547m | 1,541m | 5h

  Big news! This year the start of the Epic Sardinia is in Chia, one of the most beautiful seaside locations in the southwest of the island. The south of Sardinia doesn’t feature high mountains or a great mountain range, but that doesn't mean that cycling is easy or without long climbs.

  Experienced cyclists know that multiple medium or short hills can be much more painful that a couple of long climbs. Well, on this stage we have everything, so we can compare. After a flat and false flat start, we have have an up and down section along the amazing south west coast road.

  The stage is split into two parts, each one featuring a special coastline segment: you'll understand why many think these are some of the best coastal roads in the world.

  The first and only long climb of the day starts just after we pass Gonnesa. It's a famous stretch, that can be difficult to ride without stoping. It is not just the grade, but also the spectacular views that beckon you to take a break.

  We wouldn't rate this stage as tough. There are many little climbs but they are often short and rarely steep. But as pro riders say, “it's not the course that makes for a hard ride, it's the riders.” So keep calm, Epic Sardinia is only at the beginning! Overnight in a hotel in Portixeddu, with an amazing traditional dinner.

• DAY 3: RIDE PORTIXEDDU TO ORROLI
  109.1km | 1,952m | 1,462m | 5h

  From west coast we ride into central Sardinia, crossing more than half the width of the island before reaching Orroli. Along the way the views, landscape and kind of cycling (pretty much everything) changes slowly but decidedly.

  We start the day with a long and winding climb. Each bend in the road seems purpose built for enjoying the sea from above. An unforgettable way to start another Epic day.

  From there we start a long stretch across grain fields in the flats of central western Sardinia, before the second part of the stage, that is made up of rolling hills and short climbs up to the old village of Orroli. Accommodation and dinner are in an Albergo diffuso. The location is very typical and the meals are some of the best traditional food you can get in Sardinia.

• DAY 4: RIDE ORROLI TO VILLANOVA STRISAILI
  87.1km | 1,996m | 1,639m | 5h

  This third stage survives the big changes introduced in this newest Epic Sardinia – there’s no point in throwing out a winner! From Orroli we ride towards and across the wildest Sardinian region, called Barbagia.

  We ride towards the north and after a spectacular and winding descent we get to the lowest point of the ride: the Lower Flumendosa lake. From here we begin the longest climb of the day with the view of the lake on our right side. After a small flat section, we face the second proper climb of the day: seven kilometrs, but with an easy gradient.

  With the majority of the climbing behind us we get to enjoy a real gem among the Sardinian roads: the old SS389 that winds along the eastern aspect of Gennargentu mountain range. It's a very remote and wild segment, there aren't many roads like it in Europe. Every time we ride it, we experience the true privilege of being cyclist, as we can take our time and enjoy all the beauty and freedom that our sport can grant. All good things must come to an end, luckly the end of this wonderful road is close to the 4 star hotel in Villagrande Strisaili.

• 

  DAY 5: RIDE VILLANOVA STRISAILI TO FONNI
  92.9km | 2,139m | 1,892m | 5h

  After years running a cycling tour operation we've ridden all over the island. So when asked the inevitable question, "Where is the nicest Sardinian climb?" you can trust our answer, the Talana climb. And after today you will be able to tell us what you think.

  To enjoy every single hairpin we need to go all the way down, nearly to sea level. In fact the ascent, that tops at 1100m on Monte Genziana, starts very low, at only 15m ASL. From there it's about 17km up, the first five km is a nice gradual warm up for when the climb appears like a wall in front of us, leaving a 'mere 12km', with average gradient being 6.9%: a piece of cake, and the only 'Hors Catégorie' climb on the island, for those who are more into the pro cycling stats. 

  We suggest you dont go for a KOM, as the stage doesn't end at top, in fact we are just past halfway and there is one other long climb. However the road up to the Correboi pass: 10km at 3.6% grade, is practically a leg loosener compared to Talana. 

  The top of Correboi pass - 1246m - is really spectacular as it's like a terrace with a view on both the east and the west. It's also close to our destination in the town of Fonni.

• DAY 6: RIDE FONNI LOOP
  99.8 | 1,987m | 1,990m | 5h

  We'll see how the Gennargentu can be sweet, offering low inclines for most of the ride. But we'll also see that it can be bloody hard, if you don't respect the last climb to the Bruncu Spina col, to conquer the highest road on the island. We start from the Agriturismo near Fonni at 1100 m above sea level for an anticlockwise loop. After a long descent, we come to the first two climbs of the day, neither of which are particularly long or steep.

  The longest climb of the whole tour begins right before Tonara and continues all the way up to the intersection at Tascusì pass (1250m). This is a second category climb and is nearly 23 km long, with an average incline of 3%. Don't worry as we plan a stop in the middle, at Tonara, to enjoy a coffee and some blocks of the world famous Torrone of which this town is proudly a renowned maker. Leaving Tonara with the pockets full of Torrone, we're ready to complete the climb up to the pass. From there, we can enjoy a short descent before the last challenge: the final climb up to the 1560m of Monte Bruncu Spina, where the ski facilities are located. No time (nor weather) for skiing, we ride down back to where we started the day. After a glorious ride, we’ll spend another night at the same hotel in Fonni.

• DAY 7: RIDE FONNI TO SANTA MARIA NAVARRESE
  119.1km | 1,626m | 2,750m | 5,30h

  Back to the Sea could be the title of the sixth stage. For those who think that this will be easy, well, it’s not. During this stage we’ll experience some of the most fascinating and known hills. Leaving Fonni we ride downwards towards the eastern coast. 

  In the middle of the descent we will enjoy a stop in Orgosolo and grab a cappuccino among the world famous mural paintings that are visited by thousand visitors every year. 

  The last climb of the tour is not far. It begins after the town of Dorgali and in about 20km will take us atop Genna Silana Pass. Unfortunatly for KOM hunters the Strava KOM was set durring a stage of the 2017 Giro d'Italia. 

  Mentioning is not just a joke: as on that day in 2017 it wasn't just 150 of the best pro riders racing up this climb, but there was also a massive tailwind. This makes any attempt to break the record - for the pleasure of your Strava followers - almost certain to end in failure.

  All levity aside, after reaching the top at your own pace you will be rewarded with a lunch stop right in front of the Gorropu gorge, the deepest canyon in Europe. While your legs maybe happy to know all the climbing is over we hope your heads and hearts will disagree as this means the end of the tour is near. We have one last fun and long descent  before we get to our destination: the lovely resort of Santa Maria Navarrese. We’ll overnight at a three-star hotel near the beach.

• DAY 8: FAREWELL AND DEPARTURE DAY.

  Group transfer to Cagliari airport and end of services.

Tour price

And support levels

Guided group tour

What's included

• Accommodation

  6 nights at 3-star | 1 night at 4-star

• Meals

  Four dinners; all breakfasts; quick lunch during stages: water, hydrolytes, fruit, pies, sandwiches.

• Support level

  Guiding; mechanical assistance during the stages; epic's commemorative t-shirt; mobile workshop; spares bike, bars, gels and electrolytes available on purchase; group transfers from/to Cagliari airport; 10% discount on bike rentals.

• Not included

  Flight tickets; extras in hotel, etc; drinks during the dinner; city tax (if any); travel insurance; individual arrival and departure transfer; bike rental.

• On request

  Individual arrival transfer from Cagliari airport to hotel in Chia € 70 p.p.; individual departure transfer from Santa Maria Navarrese to Cagliari airport € 250 p.p.; supplement for single accommodation € 240 p.p.; bike rental.

Self Guided tour

What's included

• Accommodation

  6 nights at 3-star | 1 night at 4-star

• Meals

  Four dinners; all breakfasts.

• Support level

  Detailed briefing. Access to SardiniaCycling App with all the information regarding your tour, the itinerary, points of interest as well as all the documentation for your trip. Telephone assistance during your stay. 10% discount on bike rentals.

• Not included

  Flight tickets; extras in hotel, etc; drinks during the dinner; city tax (if any); travel insurance; arrival and departure transfer; bike rental; luggage transport.

• On request

  Arrival transfer from Cagliari airport to Chia € 70 p.p.; departure transfer from Santa Maria Navarrese to Cagliari airport € 250 p.p.; supplement for single accommodation € 240 p.p.; bike rental; luggage transport (€ 650 + 10 per pax).

Supported tour

What's included

• Accommodation

  6 nights at 3-star | 1 night at 4-star

• Meals

  Four dinners; all breakfasts; quick lunch during stages: water, hydrolytes, fruit, pies, sandwiches.

• Support level

  Guiding; van assistance; mobile workshop; spare bike, bars, gels and electrolytes available on purchase; group transfers from/to Alghero airport; 10% discount on bike rentals.Detailed briefing. Access to SardiniaCycling App with all the information regarding your tour, the itinerary, points of interest as well as all the documentation for your trip. Van assistance; mobile workshop; spare bike, bars, gels and electrolytes available on purchase. Group transfer from/to Cagliari airport. Luggage transport. 10% discount on bike rentals.

• Not included

  Flight tickets; extras in hotel, etc; drinks during the dinner; city tax (if any); travel insurance; individual arrival and departure transfer; bike rental.

• On request

  Individual arrival transfer from Cagliari airport to hotel in Chia € 70 p.p.; individual departure transfer from Santa Maria Navarrese to Cagliari airport € 250 p.p.; supplement for single accommodation € 240 p.p.; bike rental.

Tips & Resources

• 

  We suggest renting a Canyon bike with us. But feel free to bring your own bike. Just consider bringing along a selection of model specific spare parts (ie. derailleur hangers). 

• 

  The hotels have a room for the bikes, and we will have a selection of tools to perform basic maintenance.

• 

  Bring along a wide selection of clothes, including some full arm jackets, rain coat, leg and arm warmers: there are a lot of hilly areas where the weather is never completely predictable.

Similar Trips

• program
• Services
• Price & inclusions
• where
• highlights

• Guided tour

  Learn more

• Self guided tour

  May > Sep

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• Supported tour

  May > Sep

  Learn more

ITINERARY

• 1 ARRIVAL DAY

  Arrival in Olbia, transfer to accommodation in Arzachena. Dinner at a four star hotel.

• 2 FROM ARZACHENA TO CASTELDARDO

  102.6km | 1,741m | 1,745m | 4,30h

  From Costa Smeralda, riding along the hills of northern Sardinia, and passing through the famous landscapes of the Aggius valley, you come to the medieval town of Castelsardo. This is a very well preserved historical city, thanks to the fact that it’s perched atop a promontory high above the sea that has protected it from attacks and destruction over the centuries. Today, Castelsardo is a well-known tourist destination with all the services imaginable available for you. There’s a marina and beautiful beaches and small inlets perfect for a pleasant summer holiday. But rituals and traditions such as the famous Festa di Lunissanti mark the everyday life of the town, characterized by the industrious work of basket-weavers, fishermen, and farmers. You’ll love it! Accommodation in a four-star hotel.

  ---

  Accommodation: 4-star hotel

  Meals: Breakfast

• 3 FROM CASTELSARDO TO ALGHERO

  102.3km | 736m | 728m | 4h

  Alghero is another medieval town, and an extremely interesting one. And that's your destination today. This time you ride westwards on the beautiful coastal road very close to the beautiful and outstretched beaches of the Asinara Gulf. Some kilometers after Porto Torres, the main industrial settlement in the north, you change direction and ride southwards. Before arriving in Alghero, you can take in the magical views offered by the Argentiera and the Porto Conte Regional Park as well as enjoy Capo Caccia, a protected the marine area. This is a stage with a lot to see! Accommodation in a four star hotel.

  ---

  Accommodation: 4-star hotel

  Meals: Breakfast

• 4 FROM ALGHERO TO SANTU LUSSURGIU

  84.6m | 1,960m | 1,457m | 5h

  On this stage, you’ll experience the special connection between the coastline and mountains in Sardinia. You start from Alghero and ride south to Bosa on one of the most renowned coastal roads on Sardinia. The medieval village here is one of the best preserved on the island. And it’s worth visiting. Enjoy an unforgettable ride through the narrow streets and stop for a quick meal in the heart of this old town. It's simply special. Bosa is the place where you leave the sea behind you. A long climb into the inner mountains of western Sardinia takes you to the historical city of Santu Lussurgiu. A Sardinian traditional dinner awaits us. Accommodation and dinner in a three star hotel.

  ---

  Accommodation: 3-star hotel

  Meals: Breakfast | Dinner

• 5 FROM SANTU LUSSURGIU TO FONNI

  97.7km | 1,969m | 1,494m | 4h

  This is a real mountain stage. It takes you up to the highest mountain village in Sardinia. After 30 km, you enter the wildest area of Sardinia, called Barbagia. This region is considered the heart of the island, for thousands of years it is here Sardinians took refuge from the invasions of other mediterranean cultures, and an area where tradition and true Sardinian pride live on. You can almost breathe it and you shouldn’t miss it. Here, you ride through very small villages such as Neoneli, famous for the Neoneli’s tenors. This is a male quartet which sings the so called 'Su cantu a tenòre', a style of polyphonic folk singing characteristic of the Barbagia region and today it's a proud member of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. The more you climb, the deeper you get into Sardinian tradition. For instance, you pass through Tonara, a village famous for the production of delicious Torrone nougat. Sardinian nougat is known and loved by many for its delicious taste and top-quality natural ingredients. Fortunately, you will need some extra calories at this stage of the trip. From Tonara we climb up Tascusì pass topping out at 1250m. Your legs will get a well earned respite on the descent before the last hill on the way to Fonni, where we overnight. Accommodation in a three star hotel.

  ---

  Accommodation: 3-star hotel

  Meals: Breakfast

• 6 FROM FONNI TO CALA GONONE

  95.3km | 1,531m | 2,505m | 4,50h

  Leaving Fonni, we ride southwards and soon we climb over Correboi pass (1250m) and head down a long descent on a quiet and panoramic road that will take us briefly out of the Barbagia region. As we approach to the very wild Ogliastra mountains we bend decidedly towards the coastline and after a lovely up and down section, we take another super long and winding descent with a spectacular view of the southeastern coastline. It is impossible to go quick here: every hairpin calls for a photo! The small town of Talana is a good opportunity for a coffee stop before we turn left and ride towards the SS125, the ancient and iconic road that once was the only connection between south and northeast. Now we have quicker roads to do the job, and the SS125 is a cyclists paradise. You'll discover why. At the end of another long descent on the SS125, we find our destination: the tourist resort of Cala Gonone. Time to take a swim! Accommodation in a four-star hotel.

  ---

  Accommodation: 4-star hotel

  Meals: Breakfast

• 7 FROM CALA GONONE TO BITTI

  65.7km | 1,485m | 879m | 4h

  There's a spectacular way to get out of the Cala Gonone cove, however, as in life, the best things seldom come easy. We need to climb up a steep old road carved into the white limestone. After this tuff start your legs will get some time to recover. We will cross the SS125 again on our way to Galtellì. A stop here is like looking back in time. Galtellì has been awarded the Touring Club Italiano’s orange flag rating for excellence. The streets of the old town centre, its traditions and sensations helped inspire Nobel Prize winning author Grazia Deledda when she wrote her book Canne al Vento. Quite soon after Galtellì we encounter the main climb of the day before passing through two typical Sardinian villages Lula and Orani. Shortly after Orani we will reach the daily destination: Bitti. Dinner and overnight at a four-star hotel.

  ---

  Accommodation: 4-star hotel

  Meals: Breakfast | Dinner

• 8 FROM BITTI TO OLBIA

  117.3km | 1,567m | 2,168m | 5h

  Hopefully your smartphone's memory card still has some space left, as today will give you plenty of great photo opportunities. You ride to the north to close the Circle. Right from the beginning the scenery is gorgeous: you'll ride along the very large limestone and extraordinarily white range of Monte Albo. Many of the peaks of the limestone bastion are over a thousand metres high; Mediterranean scrub is all around and evergreen. After a long descent, you'll find the valley of the Torpè lake. Contained within a the Tepilora Regional Nature Park: almost eight thousand hectares of unspoilt forests, trails, springs, rivers and ‘dunes’. After some more hilly roads the final descent, of this challenging and unforgettable tour, brings you to Olbia. Overnight at a four-star hotel.

  ---

  Accommodation: 4-star hotel

  Meals: Breakfast

• 9 FAREWELL AND DEPARTURE DAY

  Transfer to Olbia Costa Smeralda airport and end of services.

Arrival details

Departure details

• Price & inclusions
• where
• highlights
• Services

TOUR ROUTE

• Price & inclusions
• highlights
• Services

• 40.7121,9.3480

  mapcenter

• 41.0780118,9.3901541

  ARZACHENA

• 40.913692,8.708592

  CASTELSARDO

• 40.5579517,8.319294900000001

  ALGHERO

• 40.1422486,8.657025299999999

  SANTU LUSSURGIU

• 40.1209402,9.2541494

  FONNI

• 40.2803536,9.6271755

  CALA GONONE

• 40.48052879999999,9.388730299999999

  BITTI

• 40.92357639999999,9.4964429

  OLBIA

Services

Accommodation

• Read more

• Read more

• Read more

• Food
• Bikes
• Logistics

• Bikes
• Logistics
• highlights

Food

Bike rental

• Program
• Logistics
• highlights
• Prices and inclusions

Our best picks for this tour

• 

  Pinarello F5 - 105 di2

  Ride in Italy on an exclusive Italian bike

  GO TO CATALOG

• 

  Scott Addict RC40

  Light, fast, and ready to turn heads.

  GO TO CATALOG

• 

  Scott Addict 30

  Designed from the ground up with those longer days in mind.

  GO TO CATALOG

• Services
• program
• Price & inclusions
• where

• 

  Gennargentu
  A quiet paradise for us cyclists...

• 

  Alghero
  a Catalan town in Sardinia

• 

  West coast
  along the unmissable coastline roads

Traversing Gennargentu:
A trip in space and time.

Tour price

And inclusions

THIS TOUR IS AVAILABLE AS A GUIDED GROUP TOUR ON SELECTED DATES. it's also available as PRIVATE, SELF-GUIDED AND SUPPORTED ON ANY DATE DURING THE CYCLING SEASON.

Guided group tour

Self guided tour

Anytime May to Sept

Self guided tour

Anytime May to Sept

Let's plan your next trip!

Tips & Resources

• 

  We suggest renting a bike with us. But feel free to bring your own bike. Just consider bringing along a selection of model specific spare parts (ie. derailleur hangers). 

• 

  The hotels have a room for the bikes, and we will have a selection of tools to perform basic maintenance.

• 

  Bring along a wide selection of clothes, including some full arm jackets, rain coat, leg and arm warmers, overshoes: it's the Alps and the weather is never completely predictable.

Similar Trips