Sardinia's north by road bike

Leave the coast and ride inland again where forbidding peaks look down on endless expanses of ancient cork forests strewn with weird, wind-blasted granite boulders to make the scenery dramatic. We are in the heart of the island’s major cork production area. Hundreds of cork businesses (sugherifici), large and small, are concentrated around Calangianus and Tempio, the two main centres of the area. Ride past the impressive valley of the moon, consisting of amazing granite rocks shaped by the force of the weather over thousands of years to end your day back to the coast in Castelsardo, a charming village perched high up on a cape overlooking the sea.

The route over the rolling hills of Anglona boasts some breath-taking views over the coast and Corsica. After the adrenaline kick descent of Scala di Giocca, you reach Alghero, arguably the nicest town in Sardinia, where you can celebrate the end of this fantastic road cycling trip.

The coastal road South of Alghero is one of the most scenic in the whole island and a perfect warm up for the “wall”, a challenging climb leading inland towards Villanova Monteleone. After a spectacular descent over Lake Temo, it’s a Mangia e bevi (Italian cycling slang defining a rolling hill terrain) all the way to Mores, passing sleepy hamlets on the way.

This is a terrific day crisscrossing the Goceano mountain chain featuring a variegated stunning landscape of woods, Mediterranean brush and cultivated areas of olives and vineyards. Challenge yourself along the climb leading to Foresta Burgos, a forest founded in 1886 by royal decree and enlarged over the years. End your day in Pattada, famous for its handmade knife Pattadesa, a cult object prized by collectors all over the world thanks to its shape, durability, finish and inlays of precious stones and metals.

Ride East past Su Romanzesu, a great residential and cultural complex immersed in a cork oak forest with granite outcrops, representing a precious and charming legacy of the Nuragic civilization. Then back to the ocean with the exhilarating descent over Siniscola. Your base tonight is Posada, a medieval village perched on a green limestone hill dominated by the Castello della Fava, from which you can admire the splendid panorama of the sea and the surrounding plain.

Short day along the turquoise waters of Capo Coda Cavallo and Tavolara, a limestone and granite imposing island that rises up from the sea, 560 metres high. Alternatively, you can go for a more challenging inland route. Both routes end in Olbia, the lively capital of Gallura that opens onto a turquoise bay and dazzling beaches. On the pedestrianised high street Corso Umberto you can relax savouring some of the local specialities, accompanied by a glass of cold vermentino wine.