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ENAre you an Intermediate Biker visiting Finale Ligure for the first time and looking for a free tour?
✅ Your free guide for an MTB ride in Finale Ligure. Discover the Base Nato Loop (S2/S3) with the 115, Madre Natura, and H trails. Includes map and shuttle tips.
Why the Base Nato Area is the Epicentre of Your MTB Trip
The Base Nato is the undisputed centre for Enduro and All-Mountain in Finale Ligure. Located at $1013 \text{m}$ above sea level, above the coast, it offers an incredible mix of terrain, from fast and flowy sections to rocky and technical descents, all easily accessible via shuttle. It is ideal for bikers who want to maximize downhill time and experience the true soul of the Finalese area.
⛰️ The View from the Top: 1000hm of Pure Spectacle
Located about 1000 meters above sea level, the starting point of the Base Nato is more than just a trailhead: it is a breathtaking panoramic point. On clear days, the view is truly spectacular:
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Looking South (Sea Side): It is often possible to spot the silhouette of Corsica, which is about 170 km from the coast.
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Looking North (Inland): You can admire parts of the majestic Alpine Arc, a sharp contrast to the Mediterranean landscape below.
The Optimized Free Itinerary: The Base Nato Loop Tour
This itinerary is designed for bikers who desire a mix of exciting descents while maximizing pedalled climbs, allowing you to ride up to 5 or 6 fantastic trails in a single day. If you have an e-bike, even 8/9 trails!
1. The Single Uphill Shuttle to Base Nato is Essential:
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Step 1: Start the day by eliminating the longest climb. We recommend taking a single shuttle ride directly from Finale Ligure up to the Base Nato drop-off point. This saves you hours of strenuous pedalling and takes you directly to the action, fresh and ready, and if you have an e-bike, you start from 1000m with a full battery!
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Book Your Uphill Shuttle: directly online ➡️ [BOOK YOUR SINGLE SHUTTLE MTBITALY NOW!]
2. The First Descent: Choose Your Iconic Trail
From the Base Nato, you have immediate access to several legendary trails. Choose your first descent based on your skill level:
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Madre Natura | S2 Intermediate: a very smooth, flow trail that starts from the Nato Base, with soft corners and a compact surface; perfect for warming up and enjoying a relaxed descent immersed in the woods.
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115 | S2 Intermediate: Flow trail with banked turns, small jumps, and a fast descent; highly appreciated for its fluidity.
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Base Nato | S2/S3 Intermediate/Advanced: The longest of the trails starting from the base, offering fast lines, berms, small jumps, and a lot of flow; it is one of the iconic descents of the area.
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H | S3 Advanced: Short but fun trail starting near the Nato Base helicopter pad ("H"), featuring technical and steep sections, with tight and fun corners; excellent for those looking for a fast and technical line.
3. The Power Loop: The Climb 3.5/4 km / 300m+)
Instead of relying exclusively on the shuttle, this loop allows you to "earn" your descents by optimizing the climbs.
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The Climb: After your first descent, you will typically find yourself in the lower part of the Base Nato area on the forest road leading to Colla San Giacomo. To climb back up, you have two excellent options:
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Via Asphalt: Take the main paved road for a constant and less demanding climb. About 4km long with 300m of positive elevation gain.
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Via Partigiano: Use the Partigiano trail in the uphill direction. This is one of the few trails in Finale that lends itself well as a climbing route. About 3.5km long with 300m of positive elevation gain. This is an excellent way to maintain your Enduro fitness and keep you away from the provincial road busy with shuttles.
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4. Snack/Lunch Break and Loop!
Repeat Step 2 and Step 3 (Descent + Climb) two or three times, depending on your energy level and how many trails you want to ride.
5. The Grand Finale: Descent to the Sea (Feglino & Finale Ligure)
Once you have finished your loops and are ready for the final, long descent towards the coast, we suggest linking two iconic trails in the lower part:
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Cravarezza | S2 Intermediate: Leads towards Ingegnere. A classic descent known for speed and fun. Often a linking trail, it offers a variety of compressions and banked corners.
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Ingegnere | S2/S3 Intermediate/Advanced: Leads towards the valley floor. A long trail with a very fluid and fast start, with banked corners, berms, compressions, and a fun flow. In the final part, it becomes more technical: there are steep sections, rocks, some steps, and more exposed passages, up to a very scenic natural canyon that requires attention.
Once you arrive at Feglino, follow the state road downhill that leads to Finale Ligure and end the day on the beach with a beer or an ice cream!
Tips for Your MTB Adventure:
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If you are a beginner and want to improve your skills, the Partigiano trail is the right place to get familiar with the terrain. It can be ridden uphill and downhill, and it is less technical and less exposed than the other Base Nato trails: perfect for gaining confidence and control on the bike.
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Want to maximize the number of trails you can do in a day? Bring an e-bike and tackle more descents without getting tired.
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There are no refreshment points at the Base Nato, so make sure you have food and water in your backpack to recharge your energy between descents.
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The highest point of the loop reaches 1000m above sea level: temperatures can be cool, so don't forget a jacket or windbreaker.
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From September to January, there is wild boar hunting on Wednesdays and Sundays: ask local guides which trails might be affected by the drives, so you can ride in total safety.
✅ Need Help? MtbItaly is Your Local Partner
Don't waste time getting lost or struggling with logistics. Let the local experts take care of it, so you can focus only on riding the best trails!
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Shuttle Service: Maximize your downhill time. We offer single uphill rides and private shuttles for you and your group of friends, for half a day or the whole day, to quickly take you wherever you want. ➡️ [BOOK YOUR SHUTTLE HERE]
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Guided Tours: Not sure which trails suit your level? Our local guides know every root and rock, ensuring you ride the right trails safely.
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Multi-Day Packages: From Finale Ligure to Ventimiglia, immerse yourself in an epic 4-day crossing along the pristine valleys of Western Liguria. A unique experience riding your Trail/Enduro MTB/E-MTB. ➡️ [BOOK THE TRANSLIGURIA]
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Bike Rental: Need an Enduro bike built for these trails? Check out our high-quality rental fleet. ➡️ [RENT A BIKE/E-BIKE]
