Dolce Vita

Finale LigureItaly

MTB

Dolce Vita

Each ride offers a unique sense of exploration, making this a true embodiment of la dolce vita!

Joining In

Nice, France

Skill Level

Advanced

Group Size

4-7

Duration

8 days / 7 nights

Per Person From

USD $2995

Single Supplement

$425 USD / supplement

Trip Details

Along the Italian Riviera, just south of Monaco, lies the stunning coastal mountain region of Finale Ligure, renowned for its pristine beaches, authentic cuisine, charming villages overlooking the Mediterranean, and extensive network of singletrack. Enjoy shuttle-accessed enduro rides on some of the region’s best trails, unique accommodations, and a taste of Italian culture. After riding, unwind with a swim in the Mediterranean, savour gelato, or relax in Finale Ligure’s main piazza with a glass of wine. The adventure continues at Colle di Nava, a scenic mountain pass with small villages offering rustic inns and trattorias serving traditional Ligurian mountain cuisine, including wild game, chestnuts, and mushrooms. This peaceful, less-travelled area, rich in history and local charm, is ideal for those seeking a blend of nature and culture. Our journey concludes in the Argentina Valley, famed for its challenging terrain with steep, rocky singletrack, winding through dense chestnut forests, exposed ridgelines, and olive groves. Each ride offers a unique sense of exploration, making this a true embodiment of la dolce vita!

Trip Itinerary

Along the Italian Riviera, just south of Monaco, lies the stunning coastal mountain region of Finale Ligure, renowned for its pristine beaches, authentic cuisine, charming villages overlooking the Mediterranean, and extensive network of singletrack.

Day 1

Welcome to Nice, France, and transfer to Finale Ligure, Italy.

This morning you’ll be picked up by your Big Mountain guides in Nice, France at 9:30 AM at the Nice Airport. We’ll drive 1.5 hours along the beautiful Mediterranean coast, through spectacular Monaco and into Italy. After building our bikes, reviewing riding skills and safety details we’ll go for a quick warm-up ride.

Day 2

Ride Finale Ligure Classics

Enjoy an enduro shuttle day featuring endless singletrack on some of Finale’s best trails. At day’s end, we’ll roll into Finalborgo, the medieval heart of Finale, to unwind with an Aperol spritz in the sun, just like the locals. Finale’s seaside location offers an array of bars and restaurants, providing plenty of options to dine and savour a glass of Prosecco by the sea.

Day 3

Ride Finale Ligure Backside.

Another amazing day in this mountain biking paradise.

Day 4

Transfer to Colle Di Nava.

This morning, we will transfer inland towards the Ligurian Pre-alps, defined by their rugged limestone peaks, verdant valleys, and panoramic views that overlook the sea and the rolling hills of Italy’s inland regions, bordering France. We’ll enjoy the extensive trail network that passes through quaint mountain villages, to arrive at our rustic rifugio, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

Day 5

Ride Colle Di Nava, Transfer to Triora

Starting from our rifugio, we’ll ride to Ponte di Nava to pick up picnic supplies, then enjoy some shuttle runs before a drop-off at 1800 meters for a descent into the Argentina Valley. With route options based on the group’s energy, the ride is a rugged experience, blending technical switchbacks and gravel paths that lead to the medieval citadel of Triora. After a break for a local beer, we’ll follow an old mule trail down to Molini di Triora.

Day 6

Ride Triode

Molini di Triora is closely associated with nearby Triora, which is famous for its history of witch trials. Together, these villages offer a peek into Italian folklore, history, and natural beauty. The trails here are popular with bikers, nature lovers, and history enthusiasts, drawn to its serene mountain landscapes, terraced hills, and traditional Ligurian architecture.

Day 7

Ride the Argentina valley.

Known for its diverse terrain, the Argentina Valley caters to riders who love technical singletrack and steep, rocky paths. The trails wind through dense chestnut forests, exposed ridgelines, and olive groves, offering a sense of variety and exploration with each ride. From fast shuttle runs to pedal-access trails, there is something for everyone! Many trails are historic mule tracks or ancient paths originally used by locals to move between villages.

Day 8

Transfer to Nice, France. Au Revoir!

This morning, we will pack our bikes and drive an hour to Nice, France for your flight home. Please make sure that your flight departs after noon. Ciao Ciao and Bon voyage!

Trip Highlights

Trail

Ride routes part of the Enduro World Series.

Amenities

Seaside hotel and a rustic mountain hut.

Views

The Mediterranean Sea, terraced hills, quaint medieval villages.

Cuisine

Fresh seafood, hearty pastas and stews, fresh herbs and local olive oil.

Geographic Marvels

Ligurian Prealps with karst landscapes and limestone formations.

Cultural Experiences

Enjoying aperitivo in the piazza.

Getting Ready

  • Gore-Tex/water-proof riding jacket
  • Thin down jacket
  • Toque/warm hat
  • Polypro/Merino layers
  • Bathing suit
  • Bike shorts/pants & riding jerseys, etc.
  • Socks (extras are good)
  • Casual shorts/light pants
  • Comfortable clothing for evenings
  • Walking/running shoes & flip flops
  • Long fingered bike gloves (two pairs)
  • Warmer riding gloves (light version)
  • Water shoes (for rocky beaches like Croatia)

Mandatory Parts & Tools (MTBs):

  • Brake pads (one set)
  • Derailleur hanger (for those that have a replaceable one)
  • Chain link specific to your bike

Mandatory Parts & Tools (eMTBs & MTBs):

  • Two tubes & tire irons & pump
  • Chain lube & rag
  • Allen keys & multi tool
  • Pedals, hemet, riding gear (gloves, knee/elbow pads, eye protection, riding pack)
  • Saddle (optional)

Additional Suggested Parts & Tools (MTBs only):

  • Brake rotor
  • Used derailleur
  • Extra spokes
  • Small bolt assortment

Suggested Miscellaneous:

  • Headlamp
  • Personal toiletries & hand sanitizer
  • Camera (batteries)
  • Sunglasses & sunscreen
  • Clear & sun lensed eye protection
  • Earplugs (for the light sleepers!)
  • Eye mask (for sleeping)
  • Energy bars & electrolytes
  • Packable snacks or preferred foods
  • Air Tags / tracking devices for your luggage

NOTE: Some items on the parts list can be split up among the group and is only a recommendation for convenience. We recommend labeling your belongings & parts in case things get mixed up.

My wife and I decided to do this trip for our Honeymoon and Had the most Amazing trip of lives. We spent 7 days with Louise on the Finale Ligure destination and the trip and hospitality more than Exceeded our Expectations! Louise looked after everyone! She deserves some extra Perks; she went above and beyond for us. The Terrain was by far amazing and diverse, too many pictures that don't do nearly enough Justice! Thanks again!

We had an amazing trip in Italy with Big Mountain! The days were full of amazing enduro style riding, the food was great, and the guide did such a great job of showing us all the fun trails in the area! Highly recommend.

The Finale Ligure skills camp with Jill Kitner exceeded every expectation I had. Jill is a phenomenal coach and an all-round awesome human being. And the local guide Louise was fantastic: funny and knowledgeable and a kick ass rider. Along with the great crew of people who showed up for the trip, I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. 10/10, no question!

Rode with BMBA, Louise, Jill and Chris at Finale Ligure in 2023. The crew was well prepared with all of our needs, including planning, shuttles, hotel, food and most importantly, the biking -- both the trails and the instruction. They handled the varied skills of the riders to get the most out of everyone. This was my second time with BMBA (also Sea to Sky in 2017) and I am sure it will not be my last.

Mountain view mountain biking

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