We brought 5 bikes with us from Poland to Sardinia. We knew the island offered plenty of opportunities for cycling activities, but what we found on Sant’Antioco – a small island in the south of Sardinia – actually exceeded our expectations. As soon as you cross the bridge connecting the two islands, you’ll notice the “Bike Island” posters.
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Choose Your Cycling Route
The posters are just the beginning. There’s a whole website where you can find 10 cycling routes divided into 3 groups – beginner, amateur, and expert. You’ll find not only route descriptions but also GPX files that you can upload to your phone or watch, which makes navigating the island by bike much easier. The trails are also marked with posts across the island, but there aren’t many of them, and without those uploaded routes, we’d have had trouble knowing where to turn or which way to go.
Almost all the routes start from the town of Sant’Antioco, and there’s a simple reason for that. If you don’t have your own bikes, this is the place where you can rent a set of wheels and head out. Some of the routes are loops, others are “out-and-back.” You can also do what we did – start in the middle and ride only part of a route, for example the loop section. It’s all up to you: how you want it, how you like it, and how strong you feel.
Cycling Routes in Sant Antioco – What to Expect
There’s a great website, there are signs, but there are no actual bike paths. Of course, depending on the route you choose, you’ll find details on what type of surface dominates. The easier ones partly run along busy roads, so you just have to be careful. Some are gravel, which is pleasant to ride on – even for 6-year-old Basia on her 20-inch Woom. But the “pro” routes aren’t suitable for children. They’re rocky, uneven, and far from well-worn trails.
South Coast Rides with Kids, Rocky Trails for the Brave
We tried two cycling routes in total. The first was an amateur trail with the kids, leading along the southeastern coast of Sant’Antioco. The second we did just the two of us. We took on an expert-level route running through the island’s center, including a stop at the Tomb of the Giant.
As I mentioned, we didn’t start or finish in Sant’Antioco itself. Even on the stretches we did ride, the views were spectacular. Especially on the yellow route with the kids. The turquoise waters of Sant’Antioco’s coast at sunset are simply breathtaking. We felt like stopping for photos almost every few minutes. If you bring swimsuits with you, you can also take a break for a swim at one of the many beaches along the way.
The second route was much more challenging – both in terms of navigation and surface. You can also tell not many people take it, as the trail sometimes “disappeared” before our eyes and we were completely alone – we didn’t meet a single other cyclist. The highlight of this route is the Tomb of the Giant – the resting place of one of the great Nuragic people, Sardinia’s earliest inhabitants. We mention them again in our trekking to Tiscali.
Beyond the Beaches – Outdoor Adventures in Sant Antioco
The south of Sardinia, including Sant’Antioco, despite first impressions, is not only about beaches. There are plenty of outdoor activities that offer more than just lying on the sand. You should keep in mind, however, that the summer sun can be quite exhausting. That’s why we recommend going on bike routes after 4 p.m. or early in the morning.
Our Gear for Cycling Sant Antioco Sardinia with Kids
Our cycling trips in Sardinia are supported by our trekking e-bikes from Riese & Müller (Mario rides the Charger4, and i have the Charger4 MIXTE), while the kids use e-bikes from the Polish brand Eco Bike (model Youth). For obvious reasons, 6-year-old Basia doesn’t have an e-bike, so for her wooma 4 EXPLORE we bought a tow rope, which we attached to Mario’s bike.
Stay with us a little longer!
