by PAOLA IACONA

Autumn is perhaps the best season to discover Finale Ligure by bicycle. The air is clear, the climate mild and the inland woods are tinged with warm colours. It is the time when the summer hustle and bustle gives way to greater tranquillity and slower rhythms, and cycling becomes the most authentic way to explore the area between the sea and the hills.

Known throughout the world for its mountain bike trails, Finale Ligure can also be an excellent starting point for those who love road cycling: routes that wind along the Riviera, following the coastline, climb towards the Apennine passes, and extend as far as the Langhe and Monferrato, in a mosaic of landscapes that change at every turn.

Saddling up for long adventures

For those who love long distances, to be covered in three or four days and with strong legs to handle the elevation changes, Finale is the gateway to great cycling trips, between the coast and the inland, with forays into Piedmont.

One of the most fascinating routes alternates between the sea and the inland areas between the Impero and Bormida valleys. It starts in Finale and follows the coast to Imperia, home of the Taggiasca olive and the Oil Museum. From here, it climbs towards the Impero Valley, through small villages and quiet roads, to Colle di Nava. You descend into Piedmont, to Garessio, and return to Liguria through the Bormida Valley, skirting Calizzano, home of mushrooms, which are particularly abundant in this season. The last challenge is Colle del Melogno, with the picturesque Barbottina beech forest, before diving back towards the sea.

Another multi-day adventure is the loop route from Finale Ligure to Alba. Starting from Finale Ligure, once you reach Colle del Melogno, turn towards Osiglia, with its artificial lake, and continue through Val Bormida to Millesimo. After passing Colle del Montezemolo, descend towards Alba, the heart of the Langhe and city of truffles. From here, continue through the UNESCO World Heritage Site, passing through the villages of Barbaresco, Neive, Canelli and Santo Stefano Belbo, the birthplace of Cesare Pavese. Here, the landscape is dominated by vineyards and wineries. The return journey passes through Monferrato, with Bubbio and Monastero Bormida, and the Piana Crixia Regional Park, to Vado Ligure and the coast, touching on the picturesque Bergeggi Marine Area and the villages of Noli and Varigotti.

Those who wish to remain in Liguria can choose a great classic: the climb to Monte Beigua. The route starts from Finale and follows the coast road to Varazze. From here, it climbs via Alpicella to Monte Beigua, within the Natural Park. Once at the top, via Pianpaludo, you descend to Sassello, known for its amaretti biscuits and the charm of its Apennine village. Taking the Giovo road, you enter Val Bormida and from here you climb up to Colle del Melogno and then return to Finale Ligure.

There is also the ‘8’ route that leads to Sassello and Masone, returning via Arenzano and Giovo, a series of ascents and descents that crosses the Beigua Park, touches on the Hermitage of the Desert of Varazze and returns to Val Bormida.

Roads to cycle, railways to return

There is no shortage of options for those who want to cycle for just a couple of days and return comfortably by train.

From Finale Ligure to Ventimiglia, you can discover the villas and gardens of western Liguria, among seaside villages and historic parks, passing through Imperia and Sanremo.

Those who love coastal routes can head eastwards and reach Portofino: a journey that passes through Savona and Genoa, combining urban charm with the beauty of the seascape.

A day on two wheels

It is not always necessary to plan a trip lasting several days: there are also perfect loops starting from Finale for a single day of sport and nature.

The route that touches Calizzano, Bardineto and Toirano takes you from the sea to the woods of the hinterland, in an up-and-down journey interrupted only by the possibility of a stop to be fascinated by the caves of Toirano before returning.

Those who prefer to stay closer to the coast can follow the route that touches Noli and Spotorno, then climbs back up towards Orco Feglino and Calice: a short but intense itinerary that combines the spectacle of the Riviera with the silence of the small villages in the Finale hinterland.

Finale Ligure, the gateway to autumn

Whether you choose a multi-day loop or a day trip, every ride that starts from the streets of Finale Ligure is a journey through landscapes and traditions. Sea, hills, vineyards, beech woods, villages: every ride offers different views and new emotions.