FORESTS AND OLD MINES OF SULCIS
IMAGINE AN AREA OF 2.000KM2 COVERED BY THE LARGEST MEDITERRANEAN FOREST IN ITALY: AMONGST ILEX AND CORK-TREE WOODS WE’LL FIND THE EVIDENCE OF THE ANCIENT MINING ACTIVITY, ONCE FLOURISHING IN SULCIS. A VERY EXTENSIVE NETWORK OF DIRT ROADS PERFECTLY MAINTAINED AND CLOSED TO MOTORISED TRAFFIC MAKES THIS TOUR TECHNICALLY EASY AND EXTREMELY FASCINATING FOR THE SAVAGE WILDERNESS WE’LL GO THROUGH.
Features: escorted group tour with luggage transportation and vehicle support
Starting point: Pula, Cagliari
Finish: Montevecchio, Cagliari
Duration: 8days/7 nights, 6 bike stages
Total length: 326 Km (54km/day) Total climb: 6.250mt (1.040mt/day)
Departures: 8th Apr, 29th Apr, 27th May, 24th Jun, 16th Sept, 7th Oct (dates refer to 1st day of tour)
Price: 858,- € per person
Single room supplement: 80,- €
Bike rental: 100,- € (Front suspended Giant XTC SE4)
Services provided:
full-board accommodation, that is bed, breakfast and evening meal (drinks with evening meals not included) in 3 star hotels or farmhouses (agriturismo) with en suite bathroom,
picnic lunches during tour stages,
baggage transfer from hotel to hotel,
support vehicle,
two English-speaking guides,
entry to museums and archaeological sites,
the despatch before tour start of detailed route information (maps, description of tour stages etc).
Programme
1st day
Transfer or independent arrival to a lovely hotel located near Pula, where we get to know each other while our guides will explain the route at the welcome meeting and deliver bikes. Dinner and overnight.
2nd day 1st stage Pula – Pula (65 km, climb 890mt)
We soon make the acquaintance of the landscape that will accompany us throughout the week: the Mediterranean forest with ilex and cork trees. An exciting and rather challenging descent will lead us to Chia, probably the most beautiful beach in southern Sardinia. We return to Pula riding along the old Roman coastal road connecting the settlements of Nora and Bithia and we admire the breathtaking view.
3rd day 2nd stage Pula – Nuxis (67 km, climb 1280mt)
Life is hard on the sharp bends of Piscinamanna! In few kilometres we reach 700mt a.s.l., but the following descent will reward us for the effort made. We venture into the bowels of the earth to discover the scenic wonders of the Is Zuddas caves. Later, we continue to reach Nuxis, our stop for tonight.
4th day 3rd stage Nuxis – Domusnovas (48km, climb 1180mt)
We climb the Monte Rosas forest to the mine of Orbai, where we visit the museum. After crossing the peculiar natural tunnel of San Giovanni, we enter the spectacular forest of Marganai, where we find the lodge that will host us tonight.
5th day 4th stage Domusnovas – Portixeddu (52 km, climb 850mt)
We cross the ilex woods of Tinny to reach the abandoned mining site of Arenas. The brilliant descent through the scenic Cardaxius gorge takes us back to the sea at the charming bay of Cala Domestica.
6th day 5th stage Portixeddu – Montevecchio (56 km, climb 1300mt)
Today, we follow the coastline and we arrive to one of the most fascinating spots of the island’s: Piscinas beach with its sand dunes over 50 m high - the highest in Europe. The old villages of Ingortosu and Montevecchio remind us the significant role that mining played in this area in the years gone by.
7th day 6th stage Montevecchio – Montevecchio (38 km, climb 920mt)
After the centre of Montevecchio, we enjoy the truly spectacular single track descent along the Rio Irvi. We will cross it 18 times before arriving to the sea! Relax along the magnificent Costa Verde, the Green coast, so named after the colour of its waters. Time for some climbing now: the unique profile of Monte Arcuentu soon comes into view and will take us back to the agriturismo.
8th day
After breakfast, end of services.
Transfer rates:
Cagliari airport/ferry terminal-Pula: 30,- € per person (min. 2 people)
Montevecchio – Cagliari airport/ferry terminal: 45,- € per person (min. 2 people)