• Pretty much all rocky, hand-cut natural goodness. Almost no mud/loam to speak of so great grip in the dry, I wasn't really struggling for traction even with just a Nobby Nic on the back. The only place that's really taxed my brakes. Basically no bike park style features or jumps, plenty of steep roll downs and drops, and the trail network is enormous. Roller Coaster is the poster trail of the region, about 1000m up, and pretty much everything is accessible via bike, the climbs are all hefty but nicely switchbacked. Lots of shuttle vans about but they're mostly booked via guiding companies I think, which is for sure the best way to get the most out the region - we used Francesco Gozio (MTB Guide XP) based on a recommendation and he was fantastic, we booked one day and ended up doing three in total. Most of the vans leave from Finalborgo up the road, which is a stunning little walled town. By far the best location I've ridden.

    I'm desperate to go back next year, we stayed in a separate accommodation at a place half way up the mountain that does DH guiding and BnB, would be amazing to book the main place out with more than just the two of us. Goes without saying that the food is excellent, and it's very easy to transport bikes on trains through the region. We flew into Genova as Kate had a conference there, and got the train to Finale.

    The best gelato is Carlin, who do a banging vegan pistachio.

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