Liguria: Mountain Biking With a Sea View!
Liguria for those with heart and stamina: mountain biking with a sea view
If you have a love for mountain biking, Liguria offers many opportunities. There are places like Finale Ligure and the Manie plateau, which over the years have become a renowned reference point for bikers. You’ll also find fantastic points like the Portofino area and its park, featuring trails for mountain bikes as well as e-bikes. And then there’s one of the most beautiful cycle paths in the world: the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri, with 15 routes to choose from based on your fitness level and speed. Stretching 440 km, it runs parallel to the coastline, offering enchanting landscapes and breathtaking views: from the border with Tuscany to the French Riviera, passing through Beigua, the Ligurian Alps Regional Nature Park, the Capanne di Marcarolo park, and the Aveto park. Here’s who to rely on for an unforgettable experience.
Imperia and surrounding
Themed excursions (nature, accessibility) in the Sanremo hinterland
Themed nature excursions, also catering to people with disabilities, with guides and MTB transport, horse riding, and hospitality provided by local operators. From the Colle Melosa area to Monte Bignone and the Sanremo hinterland. Available all year round: Sentiero Liguria.
Contact: Consorzio Forestale Monte Bignone – Sonia Zanella
Email: zanellasonia@libero.it – Tel: +39 347 0886774
Food and wine experiences: a food journey in Imperia
The region’s network of olive mills, trails, mule tracks, farm roads, and gravel paths makes it possible to explore the area on marked walking trails or all-terrain bike and MTB routes. From November to late March, visitors can participate in the olive harvest at some local farms and taste freshly pressed olive oil from November to April.
This experience is linked to the “Assaggia la Liguria” programme (Taste Liguria, www.assaggialaliguria.it) in collaboration with the Ligurian Regional Enoteca and Genovese Basil.
Contact: Consorzio di Tutela Olio Extra Vergine d’Oliva DOP Riviera Ligure – Giorgio Lazzaretti
Website: www.oliorivieraligure.it – Email: info@oliorivieraligure.it
Tel: +39 0183 767924 (Imperia)
Pornassio (IM): themed excursions by bike, on foot, and canyoning
Themed cycling and walking excursions highlighting the area’s rich biodiversity. Opportunities for canyoning activities are also available. Best enjoyed in spring and autumn. Includes visits to wineries and olive mills.
Contact: Pro Loco di Pornassio
Email: proloco.pornassio@libero.it | Tel: +39 0183 325501
52 annual excursions, including biking and e-biking
A total of 52 themed excursions are organised throughout the year, one every weekend, covering the entire provincial territory. These include: urban trekking, trekking, hiking, winery visits, art tours, bike and e-bike excursions, park and beach clean-ups, canyoning, and canoeing.
All activities are accompanied by GAE (Environmental Hiking Guides) and FIAB-certified guides.
Contact: Associazione Monesi Young – Alessandro Bellotti
Website: https://myben.it | Tel: +39 329 8631702
Savona and surrounding
Celle Ligure: A Cycling City
Celle Ligure is a city of sport: its range of facilities and favourable environmental features make it an ideal destination for sporting activities. The town boasts a modern stadium, a nearby sports arena (Palazzetto dello Sport), and green trails perfect for long-distance and middle-distance running. In the hamlets of Sanda and Costa, you can cycle through lush greenery and along the coast’s blue expanse, embracing the slow pace of life in these charming rural villages. Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of unspoiled nature and the warm, family-style hospitality. A recommended route is Celle Ligure – Sanda – San Martino – Varazze, following the provincial road towards Sanda, Sassello, and Acqui Terme. This route features minimal traffic and exciting elevation changes, making it perfect for an enjoyable ride.
Mountain bike in the Finale area
For over 20 years, the Finale area (Finalese) has been an international model for outdoor activities. This territory includes the municipalities of Finale Ligure, Calice Ligure, Giustenice, Magliolo, Noli, Orco Feglino, Borgio Verezzi, Pietra Ligure, Rialto, Spotorno, Tovo San Giacomo, and Vezzi Portio. Thanks to its natural suitability for numerous outdoor activities—most notably mountain biking across its various disciplines and climbing—the Finalese is renowned and frequented by enthusiasts and athletes who appreciate its uniqueness. With its Mediterranean climate, the area is a year-round destination. From the sea to hiking trails, trail running routes, mountain biking tracks, caves, and cliffs, everyone can find the perfect way to enjoy outdoor sports here. Contact the Consortium for information on planning your ultimate outdoor experience!
All year round Stefano Schiappapietra Tel: +39 346 6738450 – Email: contact@finaleoutdoorresort.com
Town of Osiglia and Osiglia Dock
The Osiglia Lake is a hidden gem offering guided trekking excursions, Nordic walking with an instructor, horseback riding, educational workshops, and farm visits. Autumn brings forest excursions for mushroom and chestnut foraging, led by experts. The area features trails for biking, mountain biking, e-biking, cross-country, slow biking, cycle tourism, as well as facilities for football, rugby, triathlon, and bocce. Guided tours of the dam are also available. The lake provides opportunities for both amateur and competitive canoeing, including canoe courses with certified coaches and instructors. It supports inclusive sports, offering activities for individuals with mental disabilities using adapted “happy boats,” as well as kayaking competitions, multi-disciplinary training camps, and other lake sports. You can rent boats for fishing or leisure, pedal boats, canoes, paddleboards, water bikes, and catamarans with an instructor. Educational camps are also organised. http://www.comuneosiglia.it
Polisportiva Quiliano Bike and Konca Verde Ride Experience
Maintenance of the cycling trail network: In the Conca Verde (SV) area and the Municipality of Quiliano, trail maintenance is carried out for MTB, trail running, and hiking. MTB school with a pump track and lessons led by a specialised instructor. Organisation of training camps and technical clinics. MTB enduro, cross-country, cyclocross, and trail running races are organised on the trails of Conca Verde. All year round, the Mare Hotel in Savona offers excursions and MTB activities through the Konca Verde Ride Experience. Thematic itineraries are available to explore the forts of Conca Verde dating back to the First World War, as well as visits to the Altare Glass Art Museum (Museo dell’Arte Vetraria Altarese) led by Mauro Giogli and Massimo Furia.
www.koncaverde.it maurogiogli@alice.it koncaverde@gmail.com
Sassello on Pedals
With Sassello on Pedals: MTB excursions with a hiking guide within the Beigua Park. Various options available: electric bike, MTB, and customer-provided MTB. Available all year round. Dinners with tasting menus featuring seasonal, typical local products and weddings. Contact: Carla and Ivano Ravera
Hotel Restaurant Pian del Sole, Via Pianferioso, 23 – 17046 Sassello. Website: www.piandelsole-hotel-ristorante.com – Email: info@piandelsole-hotel-ristorante.com
Tel: +39 019 724255
Albergatori Association and Superbike
Naturalmare: excursions, snorkelling, MTB. Superbike: guided MTB excursions. All year round, outdoor activities organised by the Bike&Hike Hotels Association – customised services also for e-bikes – 10 trails connected to the project.
Contact: info@superbikespotorno.it (Spotorno)
Urbe and the Alta Valle d’Orba are such a varied region that allows for a wide range of activities in every season. All activities share a common factor: enjoying the stunning landscapes and views of the area, in an environment that remains pristine from every perspective (minimal noise pollution, almost non-existent air and water pollution). MTB: The area features several trails for MTB, with varying levels of difficulty. The region is particularly suited for mountain biking disciplines such as enduro, cross country, and freeride, with beautiful rides along the Apennine ridge amidst unique landscapes and adrenaline-pumping descents towards both the sea and the inland.
Connections with Alta Via:
- Vara Inferiore – Rifugio Argentea – Arenzano (part of the MTB Beigua 3 project trail)
- Acquabianca – Ponte Bruxetta – Alta Via – Passo Gava – Crevari (part of the MTB Beigua 4 project trail)
Internal Trails:
- S. Pietro d’Olba – Monte Colma – Olbicella
- S. Pietro d’Olba – Monte Laiun – Acquabuona
- Vara Inferiore – Passo del Faiallo
BIKE: The area is particularly suitable for circular routes, mostly on quiet, asphalted roads (except on weekends during the high season), through scenic landscapes with beautiful views. The trails offer many alternatives, allowing for routes of varying levels of difficulty, depending on available time and fitness. Routes can begin either from the coast of the Genoese or Savona areas or from lower Piedmont (Acqui, Ovada, Monferrato), entering from the valley through mountain passes with varied altimetric characteristics. The passes are: Passo del Faiallo (from Voltri – Turchino), Monte Beigua (from Varazze), Passo del Giovo (from Albissola), the Crocetta pass (from Rossiglione), and Bric Breton (from Acqui). In addition to the technical value of the routes, the breathtaking panoramas and natural sites of great interest are guaranteed.
For example, two possible itineraries are:
- Voltri – Passo del Turchino (alt. 512) – Passo del Faiallo (alt. 1061) – San Pietro d’Olba – Piampaludo – Monte Beigua (alt. 1283) – Varazze
- Acqui – Ovada – Rossiglione – Crocetta Pass (alt. 613) – Tiglieto – Acquabianca – Vara Superiore – San Pietro d’Olba – Palo – Bric Breton (alt. 748) – Acqui
Available all year round, with activities tailored to the season.
Website: www.comune.urbe.sv.it
Website: www.altavaldorba.it
Emails: paumau60@gmail.com | bongio1987@hotmail.it | info@altavaldorba.it | info@escursioniliguria.com | asdurbe@hotmail.com
Beigua Park
For cycling enthusiasts, Beigua offers two routes on low-traffic asphalted roads: the Anello delle Valli del SOL (Stura, Orba, and Leira Valleys) and the Anello del Beigua. These routes cover areas such as Varazze, Arenzano, Campo Ligure, Cogoleto, Genoa, Masone, Rossiglione, Sassello, Stella, and Tiglieto. From the dedicated MTB routes page in the Tourism and Outdoor section on the Park’s website, you can download the tracks and create a customised itinerary, thanks to detailed information on lengths, elevation changes, difficulty levels, and connections between the six routes, which span across all areas of the region.
1. Mioglia – Foresta della Deiva – Corona – Ellera (blue)
2. Sassello – AVML – Veirera – Sassello (red)
3. Sassello – Vara inf. – Monte Beigua – Sassello (red)
4. Tiglieto – Passo Faiallo – Passo Gava – Vesima (black)
5. Varazze – Monte Beigua – Sassello – Alpicella – Piani d’Invrea (black)
6. Cogoleto – Sciarborasca – Faie – Monte Beigua – Cogoleto (black)
Genoa
Historic centre of Genoa by E-bike
Enjoy splendid MTB tours of the Genoese forts or longer rides along the Riviera, including destinations like Arenzano, Chiavari, and many other coastal towns. Available all year round in Genoa.
- Museum tours followed by rickshaw/bike rides.
- Food experiences: demonstrations of how traditional specialties are cooked, narrated tastings, and product sampling in local shops.
- Visit to artisan shops during the rickshaw tour of the historic centre.
Contact: Erica Benincà Treecycle
www.treecycle.eu;info@treecycle.eu; Tel: 3404155861
Righi Forts Tour
Start from the Peralto car park and head towards Via delle Baracche. Take the uphill cemented road on the left, then follow the Butterfly Trail, making a turn to the left uphill following the track. Continue along the single track on the dirt road that leads to the base of Forte Puin, heading towards Fratello Minore. Turn left uphill towards the remains of Forte Fratello Maggiore, then continue towards Forte Diamante. Once at the top, take the track on the left, the start of the single track “Il Maggiolino”, then follow the track that joins the wide Aqueduct Path and continue south. Rejoin the paved road of Baracche and proceed towards Forte Sperone. Ascend on the right, pass the tunnel on the left, and climb Via al Forte di Begato for 1.5 km. In front of the entrance to the fort, take the Bruco Trail, a natural pump track. Follow the path towards Via Parco del Peralto to return to the starting point. Available all year round.
Genoa surroundings
MTB between Camogli and Portofino
Excursion on the Slate Trail
The Ciclovia dell’ardesia is a beautiful 33 km bike route that follows the Entella River, discovering the nature and history of the Val Fontanabuona.
The route starts from the seafront promenade in Lavagna and is completely flat, extending to Rivarola, passing through the entire Entella Nature Reserve. It is well-lit and fully paved.
With ASD Antola Outdoor, enjoy thrilling experiences on fat tyres all year round: from 10 km of trails for enduro MTB enthusiasts to hiking and XC MTB trails in Torriglia.
Available all year round.
Pro Loco Valbrevenna Location: Molino Vecchio 13c, 16010 – Tel: +39 010 9390014 – Website: www.prolocovalbrevenna.it Email: proloco.valbrevenna@libero.it
Val D’aveto
Aveto Park by MTB
The “mountain just a stone’s throw from the sea” welcomes guided MTB and E-Bike excursions in the stunning Val d’Aveto. The MTB guides and instructors will show you the best of the trails and territory: www.unamontagnadiaccoglienza.it
Val D’Aveto E-MTB Tour
There are three tours, each lasting 6 hours, with qualified guides to suit all levels of ability. You can choose according to your E-bike “skills,” from beginner to expert.
For more details, visit www.unamontagnadiaccoglienza.it
From Chiavari to Forcella, it is 32.4 km. Shortly after, you enter the Val D’Aveto: through a wonderful plateau (between 800 and 900 metres), rich in streams feeding the pure waters of the Aveto River. This is a true cyclist’s paradise, featuring low-traffic roads and passes for all tastes. The loop of the route literally embraces the most beautiful places of the Levante Ligure Riviera, from the sea to the mountains. A bike lover should not miss this unrepeatable opportunity.
A.S.D. Geo Davidson Rapallo
Website: www.geodavidson.it/brevettomail: sardus.melis@alice.it
Santa Margherita Ligure – Kulm – Gave
The route starts from the centre of Santa Margherita Ligure, heading uphill on an asphalt section until reaching the San Lorenzo della Costa area. From here, the journey continues along the Aurelia towards Portofino Vetta. This leads into the trails of the Portofino Park, where you will follow a dirt road through the woods, passing Pietre Strette. The route continues on a dirt track towards Portofino, until you reach the signs for the Gassetta Mill. Continuing towards Gave/Nozarego, a small section of portage is required to navigate the staircase encountered along the way. After that, you will continue along the mule track, enriched with various scenic viewpoints, reaching first the Cappelletta delle Gave and then Nozarego. Rejoining the asphalt road, turn right and follow a short dirt road, followed by a one-way asphalt road until you reach the sea. From there, turning left will bring you back to the starting point, while turning right will lead you to Portofino.
La Spezia and surrounding
This route is suitable for experienced bikers passionate about mountain biking on moderately difficult trails. The path descends on a dirt road from the motorway exit, maintained by the local bikers of Deiva, known as “Fumarupe Deiva.” It follows an old trail with a single-track layout, featuring up and down sections towards the valley, equipped with bridges, drops, and jumps. The trail ends with a downhill stretch leading to the centre of Deiva. Since 2016, the “Fumarupe Trail” has hosted regional enduro races. Alternatively, a short and easy dirt route runs parallel to the provincial road from Deiva. For those with a higher level of fitness, it is possible to take on the steep hairpin bends towards the hilltop village of Piazza. The return journey can be done via a loop back to Deiva, using an old mule track, or continuing towards the Aurelia road and the hilltop location of Cà Marconi. Every year, in September, the Deivese Cycling Club organizes the famous time trial known as the “Memorial Luigi Visini” on this route. Among the variations, before reaching Cà Marconi, there is the option to turn towards the village of Mezzema, following the narrow road that passes under the motorway bridge, then crossing a dirt trail and, after the small village, continuing on a cobbled mule track with stepped descents. This leads to the road in the Loc. Arenella area, from where you can proceed to Deiva Marina.Available all year round: Outdoor adventure, sea, villages, and slow rural life.Deiva Marina Municipality, Pro Loco, IAT
Tel: 0187 815858, Pro Loco Tel. 0187 816525
Deiva Marina SP
Antica Locanda Luigina Bike Hotel
Antica Locanda Luigina Bike Hotel offers a free shuttle service to Levanto, serving as a key stop for canoe excursions on the Vara River and MTB trails. Services provided include dedicated box lunches for guests and athletes, as well as maps and information about the local area. Available all year round. MTB and canoeing available on request. Other activities include visiting villages, adventure parks, school tourism, and thematic itineraries.
www.anticalocandaluigina.com info@anticalocandaluigina.com Tel: 348 7628240 Val di Vara – Carrodano (Mattarana) SP
Consorzio “Il Cigno” Percorsi della memoria
Consorzio “Il Cigno” offers Percorsi della Memoria, allowing you to explore the small villages of the Val di Vara through the use of an app and multilingual signage. You can enjoy walking and biking routes while learning about the area’s unique characteristics and history. Available all year round for trekking and school tourism.
Zaccone Silvano (Pres. Consorzio) ilcigno2004@alice.it
Tel: 3474657039, Val di Vara SP
Technical bike shop
Technical Bike Shop caters to the needs of bike rentals and guided tours for Ebikes, Mountain Bikes, City Bikes, and Road Bikes, offering mobility services to accommodation facilities, tourists, and anyone wanting to experience biking. The service includes the rental of bikes and is supported by a group of qualified guides who ensure safe tours on routes suited to various skill levels, while also offering scenic views and historical context. Available all year round, services include:
- Shuttle service
- Bike sales, assistance, and repair
- Guided tours
- Bike rentals
- Creation of Pump Tracks (bike practice tracks)
- MTB School for children and young people
- Trail cleaning and maintenance
Ciuffardi Yuri Tel: 331 9590153
Riccò del Golfo, Val di Vara, Cinque Terre SP
Explore the historical Via Francigena trail in the Municipality of Luni with a guided visit by an archaeologist at the Luni archaeological site. You can also enjoy visits to local wineries, trek through the Marinella estate, and walk along the Portus Lunae boardwalk. Additionally, the Ciclopista Canale Lunense (Santo Stefano di Magra-Luni) offers a scenic route for cyclists and pedestrians. Year-round activities also include visits to the marble quarries of Carrara and the Sanctuary of Madonna del Mirteto.
Scuola di Mare Santa Teresa: Outdoor MTB – E-Bike Experience
The Scuola di Mare Santa Teresa offers MTB and E-Bike excursions along the river, providing a unique opportunity for both environmental and historical immersion. The experiences can be taken independently or with a guide. A transfer service is available from Lerici to Caprigliola upon request. This adventure is available from March to October, with daily excursions available upon reservation. Proper equipment and weather safety conditions are required. The tours can include both land and boat excursions.
www.scuoladimaresantateresa.it info@scuoladimaresantateresa.it Tel: 345 7700501Caprigliola, Bocca di Magra, Montemarcello, Lerici SP/MS
The Vertical Bike Team of Grazie organizes a 4-stage Enduro bike race in the Levante Ligure region. The Enduro event, held in collaboration with ASD Break Bike of Sestri Levante, UILSP, and the Italian Cycling Federation, features athletes from neighboring countries and international top-level competitors. The event occurs in the winter season to make use of the mild climate of the region and encourage tourism during the off-season. The event is supported by local institutions and organizations, including the Municipality of Portovenere, Portovenere Park, and other associations like Pro Loco, CAI, Alpine Rescue, and Civil Protection.
Dallara Daniele (Pres. Associazione) verticalbiketeam@gmail.com ; Dallara Daniele Tel: 339 1041002; Davide Tel: 338 9220816; Segreteria Tel: 3314800665 Levante Ligure SP
