THE APENNINES & APUANE

Wild backcountry adventure riding at its finest!
Our 6 days tour takes you on an exploration of the wildest and remotest part of the Tuscan Apennines and the famed Alpi Apuane.
Expect every type of riding, from high exposed mountain passes, Alpine descents on never ending ridgelines to ancient mule trails and technical singletrack challenges in the valley. The climbs will be on double and single tracks including some hike-a-bike to get you to the most breathtaking locations.

ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD

Throughout the tour we will be taking advantage of the amazing Tuscan Rifugios that are spread across the mountains and provide us with accommodation and food. Rifugios are remote Italian mountain centers that act as sanctuary for hikers and bikers attempting tours across the mountain passes. Their bedrooms are usually typical hostel style shared rooms and the food is traditional Italian cuisine, always locally sourced and cooked, promising a great dinner experience after a full day of riding.

Experience the adventure

Get a first taste of what the riding and trip will be like in this teaser video. We organised and hosted the film production for the launch of ABUS’ Modrop helmet and took Steffi Marth and Max Schumann out on parts of our backcountry adventure trip.

Below you will find a first description of the tour.

If you have any further questions regarding the tour or how to book with us, don’t hesitate to contact us on info@ridgeline.bike.

SUNDAY: DAY 1

↑ 1300m     ↓ 2000m      35km

An incredible introduction to the wild side of the Tuscan Apennines. Here we shuttle you directly to the start of the tour at 1600m straight to the ridgeline of the Apennines. The first day has some of the best views of the Garfagnana before we plunge into the heart of the adjacent valley along an endless descent to our first main Rifugio base for the next two nights.

MONDAY: DAY 2

↑ 600m     ↓ 1600m     26km

We descend directly from the Rifugio into the forest and the heart of Emiglia Romana. Here we make our way to one of the highlight trails of the tour, which we will reach by taking the ski lift to the highest point in Emiglia at 2120m and the start of a natural breath-taking ridge run though open fields of wild horses straight back to the front door of the Rifugio.

TUESDAY: DAY 3

↑ 500m     ↓ 2100m     28km

A true mix of classic Garfagnana riding where we take you directly to the highest peak of Tuscany with a hike a bike to reach the summit. Here we have one of the longest descents of the tour taking us back into the Garfagana to an ancient loop that takes us right down to our custom tracks of the valley floor. We then take the shuttle bus to our second Rifugio base.

WEDNESDAY: DAY 4

↑ 600m     ↓ 2300m     32km

The skyline day of the tour. A classic ride that keeps us high along the ridgeline of the Apennines with the imposing Apuane backdrop to the south. Expect incredible singletrack with open views and one of the longest descents to the cultural capital of the Garfagnana where a night of beer tasting and amazing local cuisine awaits you.

THURSDAY: DAY 5

↑ 400m     ↓ 1600m     18km

Starting from the Rifugio in the Apuane mountain range we plunge right towards the Mediterranean. The shuttle bus will take us right back to the top for a sea view tour, before we head down one of the most rewarding 10km singletrack trails, littered with jumps all the while with the sunset in the backdrop. The van will then bring us back to the Rifugio.

FRIDAY: DAY 6

↑ 200m     ↓ 2200m     19km

We will make use of the van to take you on a fully supported backcountry day right in the heart of the Apuane. Here we will ride another one of our best trails, taking us to one of our favourite restaurants. After an amazing lunch we will shuttle you to our backyard playground for some of the finest descents the area has to offer.

SATURDAY DEPARTURE

After spending our final evening in the Rifugio having some well-earned beers overlooking the sea, your private shuttle van and trailer will take you directly back to the airport. The drive takes you right through the mountain range you have just conquered, hopefully reminding you of the incredible adventures you have just succeeded in.