October – April
This incredible self supported e-Bike adventure tour takes you to one of the most picturesque places Italy has to offer. The trip not only includes some of the classic coastal trails the area has become famous for, but focuses on the untapped and unknown hidden gems of the backcountry that you won’t find on the regular tourist trails.
The trip has been created to suit only e-Bikes as the terrain is very demanding and the topography means we spend a lot of the time climbing and descending incredible singletrack. The tour is aimed at confident e-Bikers with a good level of fitness.
The tour is self supported, so you will need to be able to carry your equipment for 3 days, and will be based in a different hotel every night in a stunning coastal town overlooking the Mediterranean.
Coastal Gravity Trails With Sea Views
The coastal trails of the Cinque Terre are stunning rocky and steep paths that take you right down to the waters edge and into the famous towns of this Unesco Heritage Site. The trails are natural and have everything to offer from fast open descents with sea views, to more technical classic Italian rocky terrain.
Typically we spend the morning on the coast climbing out of the coastal village we spent the night in, with the sea vanishing below us. After spending the day riding above in the mountains above these picturesque villages, we ride down the ridge directly into the sunset to finish of the days adventure with a fast and furious descent to round up the day with some adrenaline to keep you pumped for the next day.
The Unknown Wild Backcountry Trails of the Cinque Terre
Once over the ridge that follows the sea all along the Cinque Terre, we descend into a totally polarised landscape and terrain compared to the coastal side. Here the trails are long, flowing and into chestnut forests and ancient villages forgotten to time.
The locals have spent a lot of effort developing these areas, and we take you on a curated tour of some of their highlights. Custom built MTB trails up and down make for some seriously flowy riding and climbing. Mixed into this are some of the finest wild and remote trails that feel like you are the first person to ride on.
As part of the tours we always enter an ancient village to have lunch and to charge the bikes. We will spend at least an hour and a half over lunch to make sure the batteries and bodies are sufficiently juiced for the next afternoon chapter.
THE RIDING
EXPERIENCE THE CINQUE TERRE
The Cinque Terre is a string of centuries-old seaside villages on the rugged Italian Riviera coastline. In each of the 5 towns, colorful houses and vineyards cling to steep terraces, harbors are filled with fishing boats and trattorias turn out seafood specialties along with the Liguria region’s famous sauce, pesto. The Sentiero Azzurro cliffside hiking trail links the villages and offers sweeping sea vistas.
The other side of the Cinque Terre is the unknown wild side, devoid of the typical tourist train that comes through and littered with untouched incredible trails that you get to ride all to yourself. Ancient villages forgotten to time, with traditional local restaurants and ancient forests to glide through, its the perfect contrast to the coastal side.
If you have any further questions regarding the tour or how to book with us, don’t hesitate to contact us at info@ridgeline.bike.
Who’s it for?
The trip is for experienced e-Biker’s who are fit and happy to carry a pack that will support them for three days and nights.
Each day you will be climbing up to 2000m, and a lot of this will be on singletrack, so fit legs and a good knowledge of e-Bike handling up switchbacks and steep loose terrain is a must. The trails are technical in places, but have a good mix of flow and areas to challenge you, so all riders will enjoy the days riding.
Some sections are difficult, and quite often we will need to push the bikes over small uphill obstacles and rockgardens. So a good attitude towards facing a challenge and getting off to push is a must!
Accommodations
Each night you will be based at a different hotel along the Cinque Terre as we make our way along the tour. The hotels are based on two people sharing a large twin ensuite room, but single room supplements are available.
Find out more on our accommodation page.
PACKAGE DEAL
€985 half board package*
- 4 nights at different hotels along the coast
- 3 days of adventure self supported dedicated e-Bike riding
- 4 x continental breakfast
- Private shuttle & airport transfers (to and from Pisa airport)
- Train transfers during the tour included
*This price is based on:
- A group size of 3-7 people.
- Two people of the same group sharing a spacious twin hotel room or a small apartment (with separate beds). Single rooms are available at an extra fee. Contact us for more details.
Individuals and smaller groups
Our package prices are usually based on bookings from groups between 3-7 people. If you are a couple or you can’t get a group of minimum 3 riding buddies together, please check out or Open Invitation Weeks or get in touch to see if we can team you up with a group for your preferred dates.
FAQ
How much climbing is involved in a day?
The riding in the Cinque Terre is incredibly diverse, from open fast flowing runs to steep rocky technical descents by the coast. You can expect to be climbing 2000m every day. This is split evenly across the day; 1000m before lunch and 1000m after lunch. Some pushing in walk mode to get you to the endless descents is always part of this backcountry adventure.
Please note that most of the days cannot be modified with the amount of climbing. However, be prepared to put in the climbs to be rewarded of being in some of the most beautiful remote peaks that hardly anyone ventures to.
How much support will be provided during these backcountry days?
Our Mercedes Vito Tourer vans and trailers will shuttle you from the airport, and be onsite with a full Park Tool mobile workshop for any problems building the bikes on the first day. After this you are fully self supported.
There are some bike shops along the way for emergencies, but you will need to bring all spares for all possible mechanicals with you, or spread out between your group.
This will include bringing your own spare clothes for each day and evening along with your battery charger for lunch and evening charging. Please also be advised to brign the correct adapter for your country for Italian plugs. See here for Italian plug info
How does the accommodation look like?
Ridgeline’s guests are all based in classic beautiful coastal hotels and private guest houses along the Cinque Terre every night. Depending on the size of the group, this will dictate which hotel we use each night, from large boutique hotels to smaller chic apartments overlooking the sea.
Each accommodation has lockable bike storage facilities, or will allow you to bring your bike inside to keep safe and charge.
The sleeping is based on two people sharing a large twin room with single beds, but upgrades are available in each place that we stay.
You can find more details and images about the coastal hotels and apartments here on our Accommodation page.
What kind of food is offered and included in the package?
Each night you are free to choose which restaurant you prefer to go to in each coastal town. The seafood restaurants here are famous world wide, and you will predominantly find these everywhere you go. But if seafood is not your thing, then although we are here out of season, the area caters incredible well for international tourism, so you will not be short for options for any other tastes or for vegetarians or vegans.
For lunch we usually stop at one of the local restaurants where you can expect to pay around €15-20 for a midday meal.
Please note that only breakfasts are included in your package price.
What about bike storage and accessibility to tools for maintenance of bikes?
Each hotel or apartment will have its own lockable dedicated garage to store and charge your bike, or the option to bring your bike into your apartment to store and charge it.
The tour is self suficient, so there will be no maintenance facilities at each hotel. You will need to bring your own equipment like chain lube and spares to keep you running. There area bike shops in the main towns, which are never more than a 20min direct train ride away. So for any emergencies, we can work this into the day or evening.
Can I do this trip also on an regular bike?
Unfortunately not. This is a dedicated e-Bike tour that is designed with many uphill singletracks and big climbs that are not designed for regular bikes.
Can the riding be customised to fit the skills and fitness of our group/riders?
The riding cannot be customised to suit any level of fitness and ability unfortunately. The riding is not overly technical, but there is a lot of climbing each day, so you will need to have a good level of fitness. Throughout the climbs there are many switchbacks, loose and steep technical sections along with step ups. Therefore the riding is suited to those with e-Bike experience and technical know how.
The routes during the day are designed to work as a journey, and therefore we do not have many options to change the route or required skill level for this tour. Only emergency evac protocols are in place for this tour.
If you have any further questions, then just get in touch and we can plan your Cinque Terre adventure together: info@ridgeline.bike
Do you offer alpine e-Bike riding coaching?
Definitely. Everyone should have the chance to hone their e-Bike Alpine skills whilst on a riding holiday and in this unique environment. Our guides provide free tutorials to coach and improve techniques like uphill switchbacks, manuals, vision and trail awareness, but also basic suspension and bike set-up advice.
