Finale MTB > Bike Shuttle Finale Ligure > Backcountry

Finale Ligure Backcountry MTB Shuttle Tour – Bardineto & Castelvecchio

• Shuttle runs: 6 – 8

• Duration: 8:00 h ↻

• Estimated Downhill: 3.500 m ↓

• Max. altitude: 1.020 m ⇱

• Start / End: Finalborgo

description

Private Guided Tour・Off-Road Shuttle Service

This private full-day off-road bike shuttle tour operates exclusively in the remote backcountry enduro sectors of Bardineto, Castelvecchio di Rocca Barbena, and Val Neva. Designed for experienced riders, the service includes a dedicated off-road 9-seater van and a certified local MTB guide for an 8-hour schedule (09:00 to 17:00), accommodating private groups of up to 7 riders.

Moving away from the busy coastal zones, the itinerary focuses on raw, natural terrain, delivering 6 to 8 long, continuous descents and approximately 3,500 meters of cumulative vertical drop. Motorized uplifts reach up to 1,200 meters of altitude at Forte Melogno, with the day divided by a lunch break at an affiliated backcountry restaurant.

The riding environment features natural alpine singletracks, compact forest soil, historic mule tracks, and exposed limestone rock, linking iconic backcountry trails such as Cà du Campo, Parpage, Supercanaletta, and Isallo Extasy.

overview
Time 09:00 – 17:00 (8 hours total)
Start / End Finalborgo ( GPS position during check-out )
Service Full-Day 4x4 Bike Shuttle + Guide
Group type Private Group (Exclusive Van)
Activity Enduro / Freeride
Mtb guide Certified & local guide
Min. age 14 y.o.
Languages ENG | ITA
Availability All year round upon request
Best time to ride Mar – Apr – May – Jun – Jul - Aug - Sep – Oct – Nov

Price from

€ 450

Max riders :

Recommended bike :

Enduro

≥160mm

Group Price List
1 – 5 pers €450
6 pers €540
7 pers €630

Specifications

Area

Backcountry

Zone

castelvecchio – bardineto

difficulty (sts)

Predominantly S2 terrain with selected S3 features. Suitable for experienced intermediate riders looking for a more natural and varied riding environment.

Physical effort (itrs)

• Good condition and regular training is required

duration

8h

Estimated Downhill

3.500 m ↓

N° Runs

6 / 8

Area and Terrain

Max. Altitude

1.200 m ⇱ Forte Melogno

Min. Altitude

0,00 m ⇲ finalborgo

general characteristics

Remote backcountry terrain stretching between Bardineto, Castelvecchio di Rocca Barbena and the Val Neva. Characterised by long descents, extensive forest sections and a predominantly natural trail network, it offers a markedly different experience from the more developed coastal riding zones.

terrain

Mixed natural terrain featuring compact forest soil, exposed limestone rock, loose sections and occasional old mule-track surfaces. Trail conditions can vary significantly between shaded woodland and drier south-facing slopes.

trails

A diverse mix of fast-flowing singletrack, natural enduro trails and old-school descents. Long runs such as Parpage, Pianfieno and Appendaun are combined with more technical trails including Ca du Campo, Supercanaletta and Dondella, creating a balanced blend of speed, flow and technical features.

Available Trails in the Backcountry

■ Cà du Campo

■ Parpage

■ Tobogazzo

■ Euforia

■ Conte

■ Supercanaletta

■ Dondella

■ Green River

■ Canaletta II

■ Appendaun

■ Pianfieno

■ Mulino

■ Valle Auzza

■ Cormore

■ Avioai

■ Isallo Extasy / Fast n Furious

* The choice of trails will be based on: the requests and technical level of the group, the conditions of the trails and openings and closures.

Gallery

Equipment

Daily Program

Mountain bike

Full-suspension Enduro bike with minimum 160 mm travel front/rear. Reinforced casing tires (e.g., Super Gravity / DoubleDown or DH casing) set up tubeless are strongly recommended.

Helmet

Mandatory for all participants. Full-face helmet is strongly recommended.

Body protection

Back protector and knee pads are recommended too

Eye protection

MTB goggles or riding glasses (clear or light-reactive lenses recommended for transitioning through dense forest).

Spare parts

• Tubeless repair kit

• Inner tube

• Derailleur hanger

• Brake pads

Water

Our guides use 750ml water bottles

Food

Energy bars, gels, or solid snacks for on-trail refueling between runs.

Personal documents

Valid government-issued ID card or passport (mandatory by law to carry in Italy).

Cash

Euro cash recommended for remote backcountry restaurant stops and cafes where card terminals may lack cellular connectivity.

Phone

Fully charged mobile phone with active cellular roaming for emergency communication.

Meeting, Briefing & Bike Check

  • Staging and meet-up in Finalborgo (exact GPS coordinates provided upon booking).
  • Daily briefing: Review of group objectives, live trail status (openings and maintenance closures), and planned uplift logistics.
  • Pre-ride inspection: Verification of tire pressures and thorough check of rear suspension linkages and pivot bolts (essential for riders on multi-day shuttle trips), followed by bike loading onto the trailer.

9:00

  • Mechanized transfer leaving the coastal area towards the remote backcountry inland.
  • Approximately 50 minutes transfer time to reach the staging point for the first trail.

09:40 – Morning Riding Session (Castelvecchio)

  • Transition via dirt road connector to access the trail drop-in.
  • First run in Castelvecchio: a fast, natural, and flowing descent serving as the warm-up run.
  • Morning singletrack session linking natural terrain and technical backcountry sections.

13:00

  • Group choice between a quick sandwich break or a traditional sit-down lunch at an affiliated backcountry osteria in Castelvecchio or Bardineto.
  • A portion of the osteria bill is directly donated to support local trail building and network maintenance.

14:00 – Afternoon Riding Session (Bardineto)

  • Afternoon runs across the natural trail network of Bardineto, progressively heading back in the direction of Finale Ligure.
  • Final shuttle uplift up to Forte Melogno (1,200 m altitude).
  • Long final descent with trail choice selected among Isallo Extasy, Fast n Furious, or Rollercoaster.

17:00 – Return to Finalborgo & Post-Ride Aperitivo

  • Final shuttle transfer back to Finalborgo for bike unloading.
  • Optional post-ride drinks and aperitivo (beer o’clock) in the historic center.

What’s included

Not included

Booking

What riders says

Mtb Guide

8h professional certified mtb guide

Bike Shuttle

Off-roard shuttle service: Exclusive 9 seater van (full day, 09:00 – 17:00)

Technical support

Riding technique guidance upon request

Mechanical support

Guide’s trailside first-intervention assistance

Group management

Dynamic trail routing and trail status management

Knowledge

Area and local relationship

First aid

First aid and BLS knowledge and ability to coordinate with local rescue authorities

Insurance

Personal accident and third-party liability insurance

Lunch

Sandwiches or affiliated backcountry restaurant (€18–€20)

Bike rent

Available on request (requires height, weight, front brake setup, flat or SPD pedals, protection needs, and MTB or E-bike preference)

Personal equipment

Helmet, knee pads, and protective gear

Aperitivo

End-of-day drink (self-funded)

Deposit

€ 100

Balance

On ride day

Cancellation

Free up to 48 h

Pricing strategy

The displayed price is based on a group of 5 riders. Each additional rider is charged €90, up to a maximum of 7 riders.

On-line availability

Online availability: Up to 72 h. For last minutes request or for groups larger than 8 riders, please contact us on WhatsApp.

In case of severe bad weather

  • In case of severe weather or official trail closures by local authorities, the tour is rerouted to open trail sectors.
  • If no alternative trail areas are open and riding is not possible, a full refund is issued.
  • Once the tour has started, no refund is provided.

What riders say

Check availability

Faq

This tour moves away from the busy coastal zones and focuses on the remote inland areas. Riders face natural terrain, reaching altitudes up to 1,200 meters at Forte Melogno. It delivers 6 to 8 long, continuous descents totaling approximately 3,500 meters of cumulative vertical drop, and includes a ride down to the perfectly preserved medieval fortress-village of Castelvecchio di Rocca Barbena.

The riding environment focuses on the backcountry trail network of Bardineto, Castelvecchio di Rocca Barbena, and Val Neva. The terrain features natural alpine singletracks, compact forest soil, historic mule tracks, and exposed limestone rock. The itinerary links classic backcountry descents including Cà du Campo, Parpage, Supercanaletta, and offers a final long run from Forte Melogno with choices like Isallo Extasy, Fast n Furious, or Rollercoaster.

Riders must use a full-suspension enduro mountain bike with a minimum of 160 mm travel and reinforced tubeless tires. A helmet and knee pads are mandatory. A valid government-issued ID or passport is required by Italian law. Bike rental is available upon request by specifying height, weight, front brake setup (moto/UK vs. EU/US), pedal type (flat or SPD), protective gear needs, and bike preference (MTB or E-bike).

The meeting is scheduled at 08:30 in Finalborgo, with exact GPS coordinates provided during check-out. The tour utilizes an exclusive off-road van with a bike trailer, accommodating private groups of up to 7 riders. After a 50-minute transfer, riding begins at 09:50. For lunch at 13:00, riders choose between a sandwich break or an affiliated backcountry osteria, where a portion of the bill is donated to local trail building. The tour returns to Finalborgo at 17:00.

The optimal riding months are March to June and September to December. During warmer months, the inland elevation provides cooler conditions and shaded forest cover compared to the coastal trails. If local authorities officially close specific trails due to severe weather, the guide and shuttle reroute the tour to open sectors. If no alternative riding areas are open before departure, a full refund is issued. Once the tour has started, no refund is available.

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