Sardinian coastal classic

This loop is a dream, taking us clockwise along nearly deserted roads over the ridge of the coastal mountains to Bosa and then back to Alghero along the spectacular, also low-traffic coastal road. We cover almost 2000m of elevation, with longer climbs alternating with shorter undulations. The gradients remain moderate, with hardly any steep ramps.

We are rewarded with numerous views of the sea as well as the Sardinian hinterland, which presents itself in a lush green in spring. Including the grazing sheep herds and the old stone walls, the resemblance to Scotland cannot be overlooked. The coastal road, on the other hand, reminds us of the rugged rocky landscapes of Gran Canaria. And when we encounter a herd of cattle on the road, it is not too far from Allgäu.

Tips from the author:

- If we ride the loop clockwise, we will have the sun at our backs on the return trip along the coastal road

- There are no other villages along the coastal road between Bosa and Alghero, and during the preseason, the excursion restaurants are mostly still closed. Take the opportunity in Bosa to refill drinks/provisions if needed

Directions

We leave Alghero via SS292. After a short rolling phase along the promenade, we immediately go uphill for a longer stretch, but everything remains moderate. In 7km, we gain 300m of elevation, with a maximum gradient of 7%. To the mountain village of Villanova Monteleone, we climb in two further ascents, with small descents in between. In the village, we turn right onto SP19 at a short ramp. The next kilometers keep us on a plateau, which gradually transitions into a gentle descent.

After the descent, we turn right at the next intersection towards Montresta. It's moderately uphill again. In the village, a coffee break is tempting, but one can also wait until Bosa. After the village, there’s a short uphill stretch before the winding but not too steep descent to Bosa begins. We ride down to the River Fiume Temo and follow the palm-lined bank for a few meters until we follow the signs to Alghero and turn right.

Now we are on the coastal road (SP49) to Alghero. From here on, we can't really get lost. We stay on the undulating to hilly road and enjoy the numerous views. Between Bosa and Alghero, there are no villages for about 45km and many beach establishments have not yet opened during the preseason.