A coast-to-coast bike tour from Olbia to Alghero in North Sardinia is like stepping into a world where nature’s artistry and historical marvels blend seamlessly. This bike tour promises an array of experiences, from the rugged, granite landscapes of Gallura to the serene beauty of La Maddalena and Caprera islands, culminating in the historical richness of Castelsardo, and Alghero.
Gallura’s backroads are a cyclist’s paradise characterized by magnificent granite formations that create a surreal landscape. As you pedal through this region, the ruggedness of the landscape contrasts with the Mediterranean’s blue backdrop, offering a unique cycling experience, each turn present a new, breathtaking view.
The bike trip in north Sardinia continues to the enchanting islands of La Maddalena and Caprera, one of our favorite bike rides in Sardinia. Accessible via a short ferry ride, these islands offer a tranquil escape with their pristine beaches and clear waters. Cycling here is a delightful experience, with well-paved paths winding through scenic landscapes. The islands’ unspoiled beauty makes them a highlight of the tour.
After an inland ride, you’ll reach the ancient town of Castelsardo, whose rich history is a testament to Sardinia’s past. With its Catalan heritage, Alghero completes this fantastic bike trip north of Sardinia.
Prepare your legs and your heart for an unforgettable bike holiday!
Cycling the North of Sardinia | Self-Guided Bike Tour
From Cannigione to Alghero
Self-Guided Bike Tour
A Self-Guided Bike Tour is a type of cycling adventure where you have the freedom to plan and navigate at your pace. Our dedicated tour guide and support team will handle hotel bookings, logistics, and baggage transport, ensuring you enjoy a hassle-free and carefree experience.
Active
Stages up to 70 km per day with a maximum of 1300 meters of climbing. Those tours appeal to riders used to train a bit, with some “tasty” climb. Usually you are back at the hotel in the early afternoon.
For guests that want more riding, we can add extra loops to regular stages.
50 – 70km / day
In: Olbia (Google Map)
Out: Alghero (Google Map) – Olbia (Google Map)
Tour briefing, bike fitting, and warm-up ride
We’ll welcome you at Olbia Airport, and we’ll have a shuttle to your first hotel. After the check-in, we’ll have a briefing about the whole tour, followed by an attentive bike fitting. Then you’ll start with your first ride in Sardinia in the scenic Gallura landscape.
You’ll leave the hotel with your bikes, and you’ll head inland to admire the refined Gallura countryside, with its granite formations, cork oak trees, and neat Vermentino vineyards. You’ll visit a beautiful “Nuraghe”, one of the 7000 incredible towers built by Sardinian autochthon people more than 3500 years ago. Optionally, you can celebrate this day with a wine tasting in one of the family-run wineries of northern Sardinia, discovering its refreshing Vermentino and the precious Cannonau, the ancestor of Grenaches of the world.
Back in Cannigione, you can discover this little fisherman village converted to tourism. You can dine in one of the village’s restaurants, take an ice cream, or look at the booths around his little market. All at walking distance from your hotel.
Overnight: Cannigione
Included: –
Riding along the deep blue sea of La Maddalena and Caprera islands
After 10km of a coastal ride, you’ll reach the Palau harbor, where a 15-minute ferry will bring you to La Maddalena. This is the unique village of the two islands (La Maddalena and Caprera, home of Giuseppe Garibaldi, hero of Italian unification) connected by a bridge. Tourism started at the end of the Cold War when the army left most of its strategic installations. The archipelago became a National Park preserving its nature unexploited.
The bike ride starts from La Maddalena village toward Caprera through the old military installations. The narrow bridge, crossable just by the little fisherman boats, brings you to the wild Caprera for a scenic ride in the unspoiled Mediterranean wood. From the top of the hill, you’ll have a 360-degree view of this so-famous Mediterranean natural spot between Sardinia and Corsica.
Crossing the bridge again, you’ll follow the unique coastal road doing the island loop between small coves and crystal clear water.
After the ride, you can wait for your ferry back with ice cream, the best of the island is just in front of the harbor. The last leg of your ride is on a quiet backroad that brings you back to Canniggione.
Overnight: Cannigione
Included: Breakfast
Exploring the Gallura Countryside
Today you’ll leave the coastline to explore the Gallura inland. From Cannigione, you’ll start climbing to the village of Sant’Antonio, next to the Liscia Lake. Here, following old back roads surrounded by cork forests, you’ll reach Calangianus, a world-famous village of cork production. Your final destination, Aggius, it’s a neat village in the heart of Gallura. Don’t miss its ethnographic museum.
Overnight: Aggius
Included: Breakfast
Valle della Luna and granite villages
Just after Aggius you’ll go down into the Valle della Luna (moon valley), a real evocative spot of Sardinia, a large flat area with sparse vegetation, which seems to emerge from massive granite boulders blocks. The valley connects the Gallura with the pastures of Anglona.
A long gradual descent through the silent countryside leads down to the village of Santa Maria Coghinas, then reaches the sea in Valledoria at the mouth of the river Coghinas.
From here is a short climb before reaching Castelsardo: a beautiful postcard overlooking the ancient fortress of Doria on the cliff.
Overnight: Castelsardo
Included: Breakfast
Your bike ride from Castelsardo to Sassari begins with a steady climb up the valley of the river Coghinas, an area rich in natural beauty and tranquility. You’ll pedal through pastures bordered by the characteristic Sardinian stone walls that have stood the test of time, a testament to the island’s ancient shepherd heritage.
Nulvi village, known for its traditional pottery and weaving, is at the top of the hill where you can stop and refresh in one of its local bars. The route now is a “rolling plateau” that offers panoramic views. To the north, the Asinara bay with its waters a brilliant shade of blue. On the other side, the rolling hills of Logudoro stretch out, a mosaic of wildflowers and olive groves, evoking the area’s rich history dating back to the Judicate of Logudoro.
As you near your destination, you’ll ride your bike through the picturesque countryside between Osilo, a village renowned for its medieval castle and vineyards, and Sassari, your final stop.
Upon reaching Sassari, Sardinia’s second-largest city, we are greeted by its rich history and vibrant culture. This city, founded in the Middle Ages, is a mosaic of Gothic and Baroque architecture, evident in its numerous churches and the imposing Piazza d’Italia. Sassari’s university, one of the oldest in Europe, gives the city youthful and intellectual.
Overnight: Sassari
Included: Breakfast
From the white limestone plateaus of Sassari, you’ll take the exciting downhill switchbacks of Scala di Giocca, carved in the deep valleys, drawing the typical landscapes of Sassari countryside. This gives way to the wide olive groves, vineyards, and artichoke fields, real symbols of the rural tradition of this territory.
Reaching Villanova Monteleone, the second spectacular downhill, 20 km long, brings you to sea level. Your coast-to-coast tour is done, and you’ll reach the west coast.
The last few kilometers get you to Alghero, renowned for its medieval architecture, crystal-clear waters, and beautiful beaches. Also known as “Little Barcelona,” the city has a distinct Catalan influence, seen in its architecture and people.
You can stroll through its narrow streets lined with boutiques, bars, and restaurants, admiring the Eye-catching view of the seafront. Don’t forget to indulge in the mouth-watering fished-based cuisine, perfectly complemented with local wines.
Overall, Alghero is an excellent destination for celebrating your North Sardinia bike tour.
Overnight: Alghero
Included: Breakfast
Arrivederci Amici!
It’s time to say goodbye, but we know that Sardinia touched your heart and you want to be back in the Med in one of Mediterras bike tour destinations!
Depending on your flight back schedule, you can have the last ride to discover Capo Caccia and its spectacular Grottos of Nettuno. They are reachable with a scenic staircase, the Cabirol, on the top of the headland, the landmark of Alghero.
Overnight: –
Included: Breakfast
You can bring your own bike or rent one from us, we offer great bikes from selected Italian and international brands: road bikes, leisure cycling, mountain bikes, e-bikes, all in perfect working conditions. You can book your rental bike at the end of the reservation process.
Bike hotel downtown Sassari perfect for restoring after a bike ride and discovering the town.
The first hotel built in Castelsardo, on the seafront under the walls of the Castle in front of the beach. It has a SPA and an excellent restaurant mentioned in the main gastronomic guides.
In front of the marina, surrounded by bars and restaurants. The perfect place for the arrival and departure of Cannigione
Sea view hotel with terrace, right on the way to Bosa. Walking distance from Alghero old town.
We are humans, we are locals, we are bike guides.
We take care to provide a tour customized for you.
Let’s do a chat and book a free call with us today!
In our private bike tours, you can:
Cycling the West Coast of Sardinia from Alghero all the way south to Cagliari. Your bike holiday will bring you to Bosa, the Sinis peninsula and Cabras, the Green Coast, and the islands of Sant’Antioco and San Pietro.
