Sardinia Gravel Traverse: Olbia to Cagliari

Overview

Ride the length of Sardinia on the white gravel roads shepherds have used for centuries: roughly 500km from Olbia in the north to Cagliari on the southern gulf, through the cork-oak hills of Gallura, over the limestone karst of the Supramonte above Oliena, and across the granite shoulders of the Gennargentu, the island's wild heart. Inland Sardinia is startlingly empty — you can ride three hours between villages, sharing the strade bianche with sheep and the occasional bemused shepherd. The cultural texture makes it: pane carasau and pecorino from village alimentari, the murals of Orgosolo, and nuraghi — Bronze Age stone towers — on hilltops like punctuation. The variable that catches people out is resupply rhythm: shops shut 1pm–5pm sharp, so carry lunch and shop mornings. May and October are ideal; high summer cooks the interior above 35°C. A gravel bike with 45mm tyres handles everything. Ferries and flights serve Olbia; Cagliari flies home direct. Seven days at 70km/day of chunky climbing suits strong riders — this island is never flat. Budget around £850 with agriturismo dinners, B&Bs and a seafood blowout in Cagliari's Marina district.

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Prefilled for 1 October 2026 — the next best-season window. Search on partner sites — opens in a new tab.