The Periplo dream: cycling Sardinia's complete coastline (over 1100 km)
Updated: 2 days ago
The red cycling route you see here is what Italians call ‘il Periplo della Sardegna’: a tour along the complete contours of the island of Sardinia. A wonderful idea for this autumn or the winter period, wouldn’t you agree?! Depending on which coastal roads you take and whether you dare to tackle some unpaved sections, the total distance usually adds up to just over 1100 kilometers. Quite an undertaking, especially because the Periplo also contains over 11.000 meters of elevation gain. I know some diehards who wrapped it up in just five days, with assistance from a support vehicle. But the more standard, sensible way is to split those 1100 kilometers up into at least seven or eight stages. The question is: where do you start? And what are suitable resting places? Which spots and roads are best avoided? And equally important: in which direction should you ideally ride, clockwise or counter-clockwise? I am happy to help you answer these kinds of questions, with advice and/or in the form of personalised routes that meet your exact wishes and physical capabilities. Would you also like an itinerary to and from Sardinia? Suggestions for comfortable places to stay? That (and much more) can all be arranged. Contact me to further shape your cycling plans in Sardinia.
PS: For the real adventurers there’s the option of including a few smaller islands off the Sardinian coast during their version of the Periplo. Extra kilometers, extra adventure! La Maddalena, San Pietro, and Asinara are all accessible by ferry, but especially during the low season, fitting those crossings into your schedule requires some planning. You know where to find me!
Below: Spiaggia di Tuerredda / Cala Gonone / S’Archittu / S’Ena Arrubia / Sant’Antioco / Bosa (photo: Pexels) / Strada panoramica Alghero-Bosa / Roccia dell’Orso, Palau / Alghero (memorial for Giro d’Italia 2017 start, eventually won by Dutchman Tom Dumoulin)
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