by PAOLA IACONA

There is a season when the Finale Outdoor Region reveals its most authentic and fascinating essence. It is not summer, with crowded beaches and heat that tests even the most trained cyclists, but autumn: the time when nature slows down, colors become intense, and temperatures become ideal for enjoying cycling to the fullest, exploring both the coast and the hinterland.

The perfect climate for cycling

The days are still mild, allowing for a last swim in the sea after the ride. The crisp air makes the effort easier, and cycling through woods and plateaus takes on a completely different flavor.

The golden light typical of this season transforms every landscape into a postcard: from the sea view trails of Caprazoppa, San Bernardino, and Le Manie, which are too hot in summer but a true paradise in autumn, to the inland routes.

This is the perfect time to cycle between Calice Ligure, Colle del Melogno, Osiglia, Bardineto, the municipalities of Pietrese and Val Maremola or Val Neva.

There is something special about cycling through villages and woods when nature is dressed in autumn colors. The forest looks like a painting, every bend reveals new shades, and on clear days the view stretches from the sea to the snow-capped peaks of the distant Alps. It is a unique dimension: just a few kilometers from the coast, you find yourself immersed in an almost alpine atmosphere.

Not just cycling: a journey of taste

Cycling in the Finale Outdoor Region in autumn also means discovering the flavors of the inland areas. A day on the bike is also an opportunity to be tempted by the aroma of roasted chestnuts and dishes made with fresh mushrooms, and to discover local products such as cheeses and wines. An explosion of aromas and flavors that becomes an integral part of the experience. It is the perfect moment when sport and tradition come together, creating an indelible memory that goes beyond a simple bike ride.

BGravel, tre percorsi imperdibili alla scoperta dell’entroterra

Partendo da Bardineto, si aprono tre itinerari perfetti per esplorare l’entroterra della Finale Outdoor Region: un mix di sterrate immerse nei boschi, strade secondarie panoramiche e borghi affascinanti che regalano scorci indimenticabili.

L’anello più breve, di 30 km, conduce alla suggestiva foresta demaniale della Barbottina, dove i maestosi faggi in autunno offrono uno spettacolo naturale unico. Il percorso medio, di 70 km, attraversa i comuni di Calizzano, Osiglia e Murialdo, mentre quello più impegnativo, di 100 km, unisce l’anello di Osiglia a un secondo tracciato che porta fino al borgo medievale di Castelvecchio di Rocca Barbena, uno dei più belli della Liguria.

I tre percorsi uniscono strade sterrate e secondarie e possono essere percorsi in MTB/eMTb, con bici da cicloturismo e gravel.
Le tracce GPS di tutti i tour sono disponibili su Komoot (https://www.komoot.com/it-it/collection/3825309/-bardineto-bgravel) e sul sito www.finaleoutdoor.com