SARDINIA: MEDITERRANEAN BIKEPACKING ESCAPE
This new chapter in our Escape series leads us to Sardinia, where we’ll embark on an awe-inspiring coast-to-coast journey. This epic ride promises a perfect blend of stunning natural beauty and the rich cultural heritage of this unique Mediterranean island.
Tour Difficulty Rating
Location
Sardinia Region (Italy)
# Nights
5
Distance
400KM
GROUP SIZE
8-16
Join
£1275 (€1500 / $1550)
Supported bikepacking through the rugged and unspoiled landscapes of Sardinia? Riding breathtaking gravel roads and quiet backroads from the emerald shores of Olbia to the historic charm of Cagliari? Sardinia offers an unparalleled journey blending wild beauty, rich culture, and incredible hospitality.
Not often featured on the list of popular gravel riding destinations, Sardinia offers hidden gravel treasures with its stunning mountain roads, coastal singletracks, and rustic farm tracks, making it a Mediterranean island worth exploring.
First Edition:
20 – 27 September 2025
Meet:
Central Olbia
…for our Pannier Expeditions to ride, we need to reach the minimum group size, at least sixty days before the start date. Post booking, we’ll keep you informed as to numbers until we can confirm the expedition can go ahead. Please don’t book travel until then.
MEET
60KM
900M+
Meet on Olbia’s seafront for a relaxed start to the journey. The route winds through sunny dirt roads in Sardinia’s countryside, leading us back to the coast for a lunch stop in San Teodoro. Afterward, enjoy a refreshing swim at La Cinta beach, with the majestic Tavolara island as a backdrop.
Accommodation: Hotel
Food: Lunch, Dinner
80KM
1500M+
Follow the eastern coastline, with breathtaking sea views all the way, as we head toward the spectacular Gulf of Orosei. Tonight, we’ll stay in traditional shepherds’ shelters and savor an authentic Sardinian meal prepared by local hosts.
Accommodation: Rifugio
Food: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
70KM
1400M+
It’s time to venture into Sardinia’s rugged outback, exploring its mountains and countryside. Today’s stage is mostly off-grid, culminating in an aperitivo by the pool at a Sardo retreat where tradition meets modern comfort.
Accommodation: Hotel
Food: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
100KM
2400M+
Discover the mountains of Gennargentu, with breathtaking views over the Barbagia di Seulo region. The route passes through tiny villages and long stretches of deserted roads, ending with a stay in a restored village of ancient shepherds’ huts.
Accommodation: Resort
Food: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
80KM
700M+
It’s time to descend toward Cagliari, the final destination of our journey and a city rich in history and culture. As we approach, the changing landscape sets the stage for a memorable arrival in this vibrant southern gem.
Accommodation: Hotel
Food: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
>> Bikepacking Bags
>> Camp Kit (sleeping bag, sleeping mat, inflatable pillow, liner) for the second night in Rifugio
5 x days adventure cycling in Sardinia with Pannier & Local Guides
>> 4 x overnights in hotel accommodation
>> All the meals whilst on tour
>> The transport of one baggage on a day-to-day basis
>> The trasport of a bike box from Olbia to Cagliari
>> #coffeeoutside and #teaoutside throughout
>> Travel to Olbia and return from Cagliari to Olbia
>> Travel insurance – required
>> Equipment / Sleep Kit Hire
>> Out-of-pocket expenses (alcoholic drinks etc.)
*Please see Trip FAQ/Field Notes for more info, and note about booking travel before a tour is guaranteed*
>> FLY
Nearest Airports: Olbia and Cagliari
Join Us
FAQ / Field Notes
Torino-Nice, European Alps Expedition
Joining instructions >>
This tour starts in Olbia, and ends in Cagliari, Sardinia (Italy). We will meet early morning on Day 1 in central Olbia, but would advise tourers to arrive the night before and spend the night in the city. A joining itinerary will be sent out to all tourers at least 2 weeks before the tour start date, and will likely include the option for social meet and meal the evening before.
There are several carriers offering routes to Olbia and from Cagliari – we recommend checking on Skyscanner (or similar) for available route options. Please factor in travel days at the start of the tour to allow plenty of time to meet the group, and ensure your bike arrives with you. Make sure to sort and book bike-box luggage properly with your carrier 🙂
Olbia and Cagliari are connected to the Italian mainland by ferry routes: Livorno–Olbia and Civitavecchia–Cagliari, respectively.
Please do not book non refundable travel before a tour has been guaranteed to go ahead [see our general FAQs]
Food & Drink >>
All sorts. The expedition will feature a mix of meals at our overnight stops, lunchtime rifugios and restaurants, and some bikepacking-style picnics along the way. Vegetarian and vegan options available, of course.
Accommodation >>
A mix of Hotel, Rifugios and Resorts.
What to bring >>
(We’ll go into this in more detail post-booking!)
Adventure bike (see bike details)
Bikepacking bags
Sleeping bag (rated down to 0 degs)
Sleeping mat
A basic personal bike tool kit – inc. patches, tyre lever and tubes / tubeless repair kit
Cycling kit, shoes, helmet, pedals
Spare Derailleur Hanger for your bike is essential
Off the bike clothes – warm layers for mornings and evenings + clothes for travel days
Warm and Waterproof jackets
Gloves
Head torch
Sketchbook
Bike details >>
The ideal bike for this tour is a big-volume tyre gravel bike, really. The most important thing to consider is the range of gears on your bike. There are some long and tough ascents and having a low range of gears will help you keep riding…
Pannier hosts will be have some spare tools and parts in the support vehicle, and will be on hand to help build, fix and dismantle bikes if needed. We recommend you bring basic spares that are specific to your bike with you on this tour as once we’re off, there are very few bike shops. If you have wheels with strange spokes, specific tools needed or a belt drive bike for example, we’ll need to be able to fix it.
We’ll transport bike bags and any bags from Olbia to Cagliari.
General information >>
Visas
N/A
Vaccinations:
N/A
Passport:
You will need a passport that is valid for a minimum of six months beyond the start date of your tour. You will also need a minimum of two blank pages for arrival/departure stamps.
Weather:
A whole mix. It may still be midsummer, but some evenings can be chilly. We’ll keep you updated on this before departure.
Money:
Euros. Always carry some cash.
Local Time:
CET
Health and Fitness:
Whilst our daily distances aren’t crazy, this tour is physically demanding and requires a base level of fitness, and basic gravel riding to complete. Please read through the itinerary and make sure you are capable of completing the outlined distances and elevation before signing up.
Please make us aware of any medical conditions or ongoing injuries before traveling with us. This information will be requested before departure as it is vital we know of anything before heading to remote areas.
Allergies and Dietary Requirements:
Please make us aware of any allergies or dietary requirements before traveling with us. This information will be requested before departure as it is vital we know of anything before heading to remote areas.