The Golfo di Orosei, in Sardinia, is best discovered by bike on a road that crosses the wild limestone massif of the Supramonte before dropping toward spectacular cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean between Dorgali and Baunei.
A crossing between mountains and coastal cliffs
From Dorgali, the road climbs inland for about 40 km and 950 m of cumulative elevation gain up to the Genna ’e Silana pass, through a karst landscape of limestone plateaus and holm oak forests typical of the Supramonte. The descent toward Baunei and Santa Maria Navarrese then reveals sweeping views over the cliffs of the Golfo di Orosei, among the most spectacular on the Mediterranean coastline.
Getting the ride right
The profile, made up of repeated climbs and descents rather than a single pass, calls for pacing the effort over the distance. Refuelling stops are scarce once you leave Dorgali, so extra bottle cages are worth carrying for this crossing of a sparsely built-up region.
When to go
April to June and September to October, as Sardinian summer heat makes the ride gruelling in high summer, especially on the shadeless sections of the plateau. Spring also brings the Mediterranean scrub into full bloom.
Good to know
Dorgali and Cala Gonone, on the coast, offer a good choice of tourist accommodation, with convenient access to the Bue Marino sea caves and the beaches of the Golfo di Orosei to combine the ride with a beach stop.
