Ogliastra Cycling Tour - Discover East Sardinia
From:
€ 990
Ogliastra…what? Don’t be surprised if you have never heard about this small kidney-shaped area that lies on the eastern side of Sardinia. It’s largely unknow and difficult to reach with a very mountainous terrain. Ogliastra holds a peculiar record among Italian provinces: the most long-lived, with the highest number of centenarians in the nation. Indeed, it has been declared a blue zone, an area where people live longer. Come to find out yourself why. Stunning landscapes and silence will be your only companions during this beautiful cycling trip. The hilly terrain makes this trip challenging, E-bikes are highly recommended.
Highlights
- Rocce Rosse of Arbatax
- Old villages of Gairo and Osini
- Tacchi d’Ogliastra
- Su Marmuri caves
- San Giorgio gorge
In the cost summary you pay 25% of the tour now and the balance later. 100% bike rental now.
1st day: tour start day
Private transfer to Tortolì or independent arrival, overnight.
2st day: Tortolì Cardedu (km 40/50)
An easy warm up day heading south exploring some of the best beaches in the area, Orrì, Cea and Cardedu to name a few. These are made of sand and pebbles, reddish rocks with a crystal clear sea and low Mediterranean scrub. After Barisardo, famous for its Aragonese lookout tower, you reach your base for the night located in front of a spectacular white sandy beach.
3nd day: Cardedu Osini (km 43)
Time to venture inland and explore the countryside. Ride up the Rio Pardu through olive groves and vineyards producing the famous Cannonau wine. As we rise to Gairo and Osini Vecchio, villages that was abandoned after violent floods in the middle of the 20th century, the first sequence of tacchi (heels) swings into view. These are imposing limestone rock formations that dominate many sections of Ogliastra. In Ulassai, visit the textile workshops and the caves of Su Marmuri.
4rd day: Osini Seui (km 40)
Some gorgeous views are today’s highlights. Deep gorges covered in holm oaks woods, shimmering walls outcrops of rock have been sculpted by the passage of time and erosion and one of Sardinia’s loveliest forests. Riding along a dismissed railway, you reach the small hamlet of Ussasai, whose origins and rural tradition date back to Neolithic time. Your deversed stop is Seui, a charming medieval village located at an altitude of 800 metres on the southern slopes of the Gennargentu massif.
5th day: Seui – Villagrande Strisaili (km 42)
Riding away from Seui, you will reach the highest point of the trip and come across the majestic and well preserved Nuraghe Ardasai, a tower shaped megalithic edifice peculiar to Sardinia dating back over three millennia. Looking North, you can admire Punta La Marmora, the highest peak in Sardinia (1834 mt above sea level). Cycling below the breath taking natural monument of Perda ‘e Liana, you reach the shores of the upper Flumendosa reservoir and then Villagrande Strisaili, one of the Blue zone villages with most centenarians in Sardinia. Find out why with a lovely dinner in your charming accommodation located in an oak wood forest.
6th day: Villagrande Strisaili – Santa Maria Navarrese (km 55)
Back to the ocean! On the way to the coast, you pass Talana, renown for its prize winning cured hams. The fishermen village of Santa Maria Navarrese will be your base for the next two nights. Santa Maria is also the south entrance to the Golfo di Orosei, the longest stretch of Italian coast with no human settlement, 40 km of secluded sandy beaches interspersed by soaring white cliffs that are fantastic swimming spots.
7th day: Santa Maria Navarrese loop (km 32)
After the cycling efforts, you well deserve a boat excursion cruising along the turquoise waters of the golfo stopping at the most spectacular beaches, cala Goloritzé, cala Sisine and cala Luna just to name a few. The keener riders can opt for a loop in the countryside around Santa Maria instead.
8th day: end of tour
After breakfast, end of services.
Overview
- Bike Tour code: LCS15
- Cycling vacation type: self guided tour
- Nearest airports: Alghero AHO (arrival). Cagliari CAG (arrival and departure)
- Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
- Departures: Every Saturday all year round, it is possible to start other days paying a supplement
The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance
INCLUDED IN YOUR PACKAGE
- 7 Nights in 3 star hotels and agriturismo, all rooms with en suitebathroom
- 7 Breakfasts
- Bike Tour presentation (welcome meeting/call)
- Baggage transportation from hotel to hotel
- Supply of route notes and maps
- Telephone assistance
NOT INCLUDED
- Local Taxes (approx. 15 €)
- Admission to museums and archaeological sites
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
High season supplement: € 210 (from 05.07 to 29.08)
Single room supplement: € 220 (€ 395 in case of a person travelling alone)
Non-Saturday departure supplement: € 80
Bike rental: € 140 (€ 25 each additional day)
E-Bike: € 250 (€ 35 each additional day)
E-Bike rentals must be credit card protected!
Transfer rates per person (min. 2 persons; any additional pax: -50%)
- Cagliari – Tortolì: € 140
- Olbia – Tortolì: € 150
- Santa Maria Navarrese – Cagliari: € 150
- Santa Maria Navarrese – Olbia: € 140
- Santa Maria Navarrese – Tortolì: € 30
Guest’s bike transportation: € 10/bike (fixed rate)