7 Day Point to Point Tour

For 2009 Rivierabike offers two tours- the Alpi del Mare Freeride week and point to point supported tour called "The Tour of the Forts"

Freeride - Alpi del Mare - 2 Centre Week

This is a fully supported 2 centre based 7 day freeride tour, taking in 4 regions of Western Liguria each with their own characteristics, terrain, towns, food and accommodation. We start at the swish seaside resort of Finale Ligure with its stunning sea view trails and long beech wood singletrack. Then to the Alpine town of Calizzano and its fast flowing pine wood singletrack. Next to Val Argentina with its steep sides, long technical singletrack and the medieval town villages and finally to the steep rocky slabs of San Remo.

What’s more to maximize the riding we provide 100% vehicle uplifts to all the trail heads and you will actually arrive at your next destination by bike! Your luggage will be transported separately and will be in your rooms upon your arrival.

We descend approx 30,000 metres altitude over 250km on singletrack ranging from fast and bermed to insanely steep! All with the aid of knowledgeable guides and with NO CLIMBING!!!.

Past guests have called this the most diverse week they have ever done, with such accolades saying it was better than Whistler!!!

For details of availability and prices CLICK HERE

For the first 3 days your home will be Agriturismo Legiaire based in the mountain town of Calizzano. Here you will be welcomed by Rafaele and Fulvio to this beautiful old farmhouse which has a great vibe with its own bar crammed with MTB'ers and even has its own bike park.

Calizzano is centrally based between Finale Ligure and Nava, from here you are perfectly placed to ride all that is on offer.

You will be guided by Fulvio and ride approximately 8 runs per day from the beach forests of Finale to the high open alpine trails of Ormea.

On the fourth day you and your luggage will be picked up by Rivierabike. We will ride via the Val Tannaro and Colle di Nava before finally arriving in Val Argentina to your next base of Molini di Triora. You will be greeted by Andrea & Maria Chiara and stay at their charming hotel Santo Spirito for the remainder of your holiday.

For the next two days you will ride the trails of Val Argentina and Nervia, here they are longer and more natural with plenty of drop offs, rock gardens and switchbacks.

The final day we will ride the trails of San Remo, different again with big sandstone slabs and open sea views.

The Tour of the Forts

New for 2009 this is a classic XC four day tour. It takes it's name by following Napoleon's old military trail which has various forts dotted along the route. The tour explores France and Italy on the long distance route known as the Alta Via that passes through terrain from high alpine, lush forests to the terraced hills of the Mediterranean.

The tour is fully guided with vehicle support. We stay in different types of accommodation from remote mountain refuges to comfortable agriturismos which are all catered.

CLICK HERE for costs and what's included.

Typical Itinerary

Tour Day 1. Passo Della Guardia to Col des Seigneurs. Approx 40km, 1100m Ascent, 400m Descent

The first day is mainly a climbing day, we take the minibus to the end of the asphalt near Passo della Guardia (1200m) above Molini. From here we will follow the military road up to Passo Tannerello (2040m), here we will have lunch or we can climb further to the highest point in Liguria, Mt Saccarello at 2200m. From here there is a stunning 360 degree view from the snowy peaks of the alps to the North and over the Mediterranean to the South. We will then descend and traverse along the Val Tanaro ridge to Col des Seigneurs (2115) where we will reach Rifugio (Refuge) Barbera - our destination for the evening.

Tour Day 2. Col des Seigneurs to Tende Approx 55km, 600m Ascent, 1400m descent

After waking up to the sound of marmottes we traverse along the French/Italian border on singletrack and dirt roads that are littered with old Napoleonic forts and battlements. We will have lunch at Forte Centrale / Colla di Tende (1900m). We continue along the military road until we arrive at a mountain hamlet called Casterino (1700). We then take a fast 15km singletrack descent to Tende (800m) a bustling French town with many bars and restaurants. Tende is our base for the evening staying in a French gite.

Tour Day 3. Tende - Passo della Gouta, Approx 55km, 1300m Ascent, 700m Descent

From Tende we start with a gentle climb and a singletrack descent to La Brigue (800m) for a warm up. From here we start the big climb of the day to Colle Sanson (1700m) where we will have lunch. The climb continues until we reach Mt Grai (1950m). From here we will traverse to Mt Torragio (1850m) along a spectacular path which was cut into the cliffs during the first world war. From here we descend on singletrack to Passo della Gouta (1500m) where we will stay at a comfortable agriturismo.

Tour Day 4. Passo della Gouta - Ventigmilia, Approx 40km, 200m Ascent, 1700m Descent

Today is the final day of the tour and it's all downhill from here...nearly! From Gouta we follow the ridge all the way down to Ventigmilia (sea level) - a coastal resort town. With very little climbing the descent is a mixture of singletrack and double track following the Alta Via and takes about 4 hours to descend!!! When we reach Ventigmilia you can enjoy a well earned beer or gelato on the beach before the van takes us back to Molini.