LiguriaBikeXperience – Pietra Ligure [stage 7]

PIETRA LIGURE – THE WEST COAST

This is the penultimate episode of the First series of LiguriaBikeXperience project and Pietra Ligure is the penultimate town that our biker Giacomo Dodino brings to us.
Pietra Ligure is a beautiful and famous seaside town, with a wonderful hinterland for the mountain bike called Val Maremola. This territory borders with Finale Ligure and is crossed by a network of paths that extends along the southwest slope of the Melogno, through Isallo, Ranzi’s hills and Mount Grosso. The good news is that new trails are almost ready, which will start from Mount Carmo and will reach the sea. One is already finished and we’ll tell it right here, with Giacomo Dodino joined by Francesco Colombo, Italian Downhill Champion. There was no better way to test the new trails!

RANZILANDIA’S TOUR

The tour develops in the immediate hinterland of Pietra Ligure, through the sea view hills of Mount Grosso and Ranzi. The track is well signposted and the paths are easily accessible. The climbs are about 20/25 minutes and from there you can enjoy beautiful sea views.

TOUR DETAILS
Ring-like tour with 3 different trails
Total Length: 25 km
Difference in level: 700 mt
Duration: 2 hours and 30 min
Recommended bike: Enduro – All Mountain

THE TRAILS

SUGHERI

The Sugheri trail develops along the slopes of Mount Grosso and it is reached by climbing from the town of Tovo San Giacomo along the Maremola river. After a short climb on asphalt the street becomes a dirt road. Once through an ancient olive grove, we reach the top of the mountain, where the view is fantastic and the landscape around it is unique.
The trail is in “Enduro” style, sometimes fast, with rocky parts, banks and some raises. The first part is all sea view, while towards the end the trail crosses a wood of cork (hence the name of the trail) with banks and drops. The trail ends in the heart of Pietra Ligure. From here we move to Ranzi for the second part of the tour.

FIENO TRAIL

After reaching the village of Ranzi, an historic village overlooking the sea, we continue on the gravel road. Following the signs, we find the trail called Fieno, an ancient mule track that descends from Mount Carmo to Pietra Ligure; now this trail has been built for the mtb. The trail features fast rock stretches interspersed with curves and hairpin bends. For the more experienced riders, this trail gives you the opportunity to choose the best line, in fact, Francesco shows us his downhill skills!
The trail ends in the village of Ranzi, from where we go back to take the dirt road and return to the top.

FORESTO TRAIL

From the Ranzi the path descends quickly towards Pietra Ligure and Giustenice. Along the trail there are rock sections alternating with banks and some drops. Here even the most experienced riders need to keep their guard up!

NEWS FOR SEPTEMBER 2018

We could not let Francesco leave without showing him a part of the new paths, still to be finished, on Mount Carmo! Like many other riders, he had already heard of this mountain for one of the longest stage called Karma Trail of this year Enduro World Series event. We decide to let him try it and immediately load the bikes on the Pick Up and we drive to Giustence and then we climb along the dirt road of Mount Carmo. Francesco’s opinion can be heard in the video.
Several trails will be ready in September 2018 and they will expand the “Finalese” riding area, creating a gravity trail network that from the top of the Carmo (1,400 meters above sea level) leads to Pietra Ligure, Loano, Ranzi and Giustenice. So get ready for the new “West Coast” of Finale Ligure!

Here is the list of Pietra Ligure’s accommodations where you can stay: http://www.residenceliguria.com/en/Localita/Details/pietra_ligure