Mountain Biking in Finale Ligure

Just an hour and half’s drive from Nice airport along the spectacular Corniche roads of the Riviera and you’ll enter a land where mountainous forest riddled with singletrack meets the sea.

This is Finale Ligure, one of the only places on earth to mix this quality of riding with such a spectacular backdrop.

The Mountain Biking

There’s over 200 km of natural trails in the hills surrounding the town. You can either pedal up to the trail heads or book a day’s uplifts with one of the local shuttle companies. There are so many trails though, that to get the most out of your time, we’d recommend getting a guide.

The riding is accessible to most riders with a decent level of fitness. Most of the trails are old hunters tracks which lend themselves perfectly to mountain biking. With a bit of work from local riders, the dry, rocky terrain has been adapted to create some epic flowy descents. The emphasis is on incredibly fast flowing routes, stuffed full of nicely spaced corners. Beginners hoping to ride XC may find the climbs a struggle but the descents can be taken at your own pace. Experienced riders will love hitting the trails at speed.

Nato Base and Melogno

The Nato Base and Melogno areas are popular with the shuttle companies for good reason. Quick, easy access and fast technical top to bottom descents are the order of the day. Riding through the forested terrain you’ll forget how close you are to the sea. Highlights include the H trail, which merges a berm and jump-filled gully with snaking forest singletrack, Nato Base, Crestino, Din and the new Rollercoaster trail built by Finale Ligure Freeride. From Din you can take the Madonna della Guardia trail all the way back to town.

Le Manie Plateau

This is where the iconic photos you see of mountain bikers riding golden trails with a Mediterranean backdrop are taken. The scenery alone makes this area a highlight of a biking trip to Finale. This is where the famous 24 hour race track begins. Ride back to the beach via the fast, flowy DH Men and DH Women downhill tracks, or follow the Briga trail back to Finalborgo.

Ciappi di Finale Ligure

Directly above Finale Ligure town you ‘ll find the dense woodland, dirt tracks and rocky trails of Ciappi. A classic all-mountain route called the Ciappi Tour loops out for 23 km from Strada per SanBernardino. Ciappi is also where you’ll find the Enduro World Series Superenduro Stage, which is super-fast, rocky and technical.

Guiding and Uplifts

Finale Ligure has an estimated 150 trails, so we’d recommend getting a guide, they’ll be able to show you the trails that are most suited to your riding style and level of fitness. Bike Hotels Finale Ligure have put together a decent map of the MTB areas.

A number of companies offer guiding and shuttle runs in Finale Ligure and in the surrounding hills. They’ll do their best to group people of a similar pace together so that there’s less waiting around and you can maximise your time on the bike. They can also tailor the trip to your kind of riding whether downhill, enduro or XC.

Having ridden with both, we can recommend Finale Ligure Freeride and Ride On Noli for experienced guides and a reliable, fun and friendly service.

What Bike for Finale Ligure?

If you’re going to be taking uplifts the bike to bring down to Finale Ligure is a 160-180 mm travel full suspension enduro bike.. The tracks are fast and furious and lots of fun, and the small bike is a dream. A full on DH bike is a bit overkill here and a lighter trail bike or enduro machine will allow you to flick through the corners and play with the terrain a lot more.

Go for dual-ply tyres, like the Maxxis Minions, and get some freeride or DH inner tubes, so you don’t hold your group up with pinch flats. A dropper post is a definite plus if you have the option.

The Finale shuttle companies all recommend a full face helmet, and if you’re doing the downhill trails, we’d add elbow and knee pads and a spine protector to that. You’ll be riding at pace on unfamiliar, rocky terrain so the odd spill is pretty much guaranteed.

Although Finale Ligure is a small town, there are plenty of bike shops selling spares. The Ultimate Bikeshop is on Strada di Gorra in Finaleborgo. All the same, it’s worth bringing a few extra tubes and brake pads so you don’t get caught short if they don’t have the type you need.

Enduro World Series

Finale is taken over in late September each year by the final round of the Enduro World Series (EWS). If you happen to be in town when the EWS is on, you’ll find the place is buzzing with bikers and a great party atmosphere. Keep your eye out MTB legends like Sam Hill and Ritchie Rude blasting the trails.

Finale Ligure MTB Holidays with MTB Beds

We’re stoked to have teamed up with MTB Beds to offer a truly unforgettable mountain biking holiday. What makes Finale Ligure such an outstanding mountain bike holiday destination is the sheer variety of trails. We have never seen anything like it anywhere else in the world. You have every type of singletrack terrain from sharp, jagged rocks to smooth winding forest descents and everything in between. The locals have been building trails here for over 30 years and the MTB trail network is now so vast we haven’t even seen half of it.

You’ll ride all the best trails in Finale Ligure, including some of the epic tracks like Little Champery and Madonna della Guardia. What sets MTB Beds apart from the rest is that they are mountain bikers through and through. Just like you, they appreciate awesome food, great culture and want to share these epic destinations with you. They want you come back next year and tell your friends about the amazing riding in these Mediterranean mountains.

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Bike Friendly Accommodation in Finale Ligure

A highlight of a biking trip to Finale has to be the apres-biking either in Finalborgo, or at the main square on the seafront. When you’re looking for a place to stay it’s well worth looking for a place in either of these two spots. Here’s some recommended bike-friendly accommodation in Finale Ligure.

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Hotel Medusa

From 60 € per night

Set right on the promenade in Finale Ligure, Hotel Medusa is just a few steps from the beach and a short stroll from the après-biking of the main square. Friendly staff, clean rooms with views over the Med and excellent facilities for bikers, including secure storage and bike wash.

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Casa Vacanze Casa Barbara

From 243 € for 3 nights

These well-equipped self-catering apartments are just the job for a biking holiday on a budget. Located up the hill just behind Finale Ligure, it’s a short walk to the beach and main square. The helpful owners have provided secure bike storage, servicing facilities and bike wash.

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Hotel San Pietro Palace

From 150 € per night

Superb location right on the sea front and a stone’s throw from the main square, the Hotel San Pietro Palace has modern comfortable rooms in a charming old building. Sea view and balcony overlooking palm trees and beach. One of Finale’s pricier options but fully worth it.

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Hotel Derby

From 90 € per night

A nice family run 3 star hotel in a great location halfway between the beach and Finalborgo old town. There’s proper secure storage for your bike and bike wash facilities. A good buffet breakfast is included in the room rate. The hotel can help organise uplifts and guides.

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Residence Glicini

From 70 € per night

Located on Via Abate Bolognani just 500 m from the beach and 800 m from Finale Ligure’s old town, Residence Glicini’s modern apartments feature a fully equipped kitchen with dining area and balcony. For mountain bikers there’s bike rental, a workshop and secure bike storage.

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Park Hotel Castello

From 60 € per night

400 m from the beach, sun terrace, swimming pool and on-site parking, Park Hotel Castello is a great option for a biking holiday. The buffet breakfast served each morning is very good and just the job to set you up for a hard day’s biking. Plus, there’s secure bike storage.

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Il Villaggio Di Giuele

From 105 € per night

Located in the hills behind Finale Ligure and surrounded by the Mediterranean greenery, this bike friendly, self-catering accommodation includes a living/dining area, a kitchenette, and a balcony or patio. There are 2 swimming pools, a decent restaurant and on-site parking.

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Hotel San Giuseppe

From 51 € per night

Hotel San Giuseppe is one of Finale Ligure’s especially bike friendly options. There’s a large secure bike store with tools available for repairs and a jet wash. Plus, there’s a good breakfast, free parking and a mountain bike uplifts service, and free biker laundry!

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Hotel Florenz

From 65 € per night

Located a short walk from Finale Ligure’s old town and less than a kilometre from the beach, Hotel Florenz is a relaxed and inexpensive hotel. The restaurant serves up local Liguria dishes on the terrace overlooking the pool. There’s bike storage and a workshop with basic tools.

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Il Pernambucco della Contessa

From 64 € per night

Il Pernambucco della Contessa is a farm-stay located right by the trails in the hills behind Finale Ligure and makes a great base for a mountain biking holiday. There’s a restaurant, free parking, WiFi and bike hire. Plus an uplift service and direct access to the trails.

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