North West Sardinia Cycle Tour

Transfer to first hotel in Alghero and meet up or get a call from the Cycle Rep for a briefing on the route, handover of bicycles and information pack.

Start from the old fortifications and the historic centre of Alghero, a splendid Aragonese city. Leaving Alghero, the tour continues to the pre-historic bastion of Nuraghe Palmavera, then on to Capo Caccia, an imposing rocky outcrop 168m high, looking out over the sea. Return to Alghero through countryside with vineyards and olive groves, producing world renowned olive oil and wines.

The short leg: Meander through the vineyards along the Malvasia wine route, tasting the famous DOC wines at the various caves along the way. The long leg: Ring route around the area where the griffon vultures nest, going up towards Montresta and passing by the Nuraghe Appiu, as far as the spectacular rocky outcrops and inlets of Capo Marrargiu, where if you are lucky you’ll be able to see the swooping flight of this rare breed of Mediterranean Vulture.

The route is flanked by vineyards and olive groves as far as Flussio and Tinnura, two small towns famous for their reed and wicker baskets and their murals. Then on through the pasturelands of Sagama, with Mediterranean bush landscape stretching as far as the eye can see, until you reach the springs of San Leonardo, the richest area in water in the whole of Sardinia..

Visit the rural museum in Santu Lussurgiu and cycle to the archaeological site of Santa Cristina to admire the impressive sacred well dating back to 1800BC.

Today the land slopes down to the coast to the Marine Protected Area of the Sinis, home to pink flamingos and herons. The unpaved road flanks a series of white quartz beaches. Then through a charming fishermen’s hamlet, where you will find one of the most important early Christian churches in Sardinia. Continue to Tharros, a fascinating archaeological site with a wealth of Phoenician and Roman remains.