Gravel crunches, the motor hums, and the salty sea spray hangs in the air. “Ancora una curva!” shouts trail builder Nicolò Accame as he floats his gently carves his way through the next uphill switchback. Below us, the Ligurian Sea sparkles; above, a narrow trail snakes its way higher. The perfect setting to understand why Pietra Ligure is being hailed as Europe’s new uphill hotspot.
From Cavemen to High Torque
Finale is the epitome of downhill. Pietra is the opposite – and maybe exactly what the eMTB world has been waiting for. More than 30 dedicated uphill trails now snake their way from the sea through the macchia, the region’s typical Mediterranean scrubland. They weave into a network of paths shaped by 300,000 years of human history: prehistoric tracks, Roman trade routes, old mule trails. What once served as transport lines now powers up modern motor-driven fun. A perfect example of how ancient culture literally lives on underneath today’s tires.
Enrico Guala, early eMTB pioneer and now one of the people driving bike tourism in the region, loves to point out that even the first settlers used these hills to move between coastal farmland and vast inland caves. When the mountain bike boom hit in the 1980s, locals rediscovered these forgotten paths. In 1999, the spectacular “24 Hours of Finale” race put the region on the biking map, followed by Superenduro races from 2008 onwards and the Enduro World Series starting in 2013. Each discipline left its mark. Now it’s eMTB time – and once again, the terrain feels tailor-made.
The Art of Uphill Riding
Many of the dedicated eMTB climbs are the work of Nicolò – the same guy who hosted us during our recent eMTB comparison test with 30 electric trail machines, all while sharing stories straight from the trail-building trenches. Originally, he built the uphills just for himself and his crew – which explains the intensity. Together with friends, he cleared centuries-old paths, moved rocks, cut back thorns – always with one goal: to ride up, not just down. The result is a highly technical “natural uphill pump track” that demands balance, motor control, and a fair bit of courage.
The catch? Progress needs stepping stones – and beginner-friendly uphills are still in short supply here. But the local crew got the memo. “Roll Up” was created as a solid entry point for uphill lovers and those who want to become one. It’s the perfect place to practice rear-wheel pivots in switchbacks or to dial in your motor mode transitions. During our big eMTB group test, this trail pushed us hard – and paid us back with the “Roller Coaster” descent: a pitch-perfect combo of flow and adrenaline. That’s the magic of Pietra Ligure – instead of grinding up tarmac, your tour kicks off with tight hairpins and rooty climbs. Way more fun!
Trail Rides & Seaside Vibes
Whether it’s 24-hour races, the e-enduro series or ladies’ skills camps – events in Pietra aren’t just a magnet for visitors, they’re also a live test lab for new lines. Every start number brings feedback, every finish line sparks fresh ideas. After the debut of the E-Enduro World Series in Pietra in 2020, one steep section was mellowed out, another made deliberately tougher – because the pros were cruising up too easily.
But it’s not just trails that can be relaxed: cappuccino in the borgo, focaccia on the beach, Vermentino in the evening instead of an iso drink – Pietra blends trail time with Mediterranean living. After a ride, the salty air drifts through the alleyways as workshop crews let the valves hiss and trail builders mark the next rock step. The big goal? Rides with zero tarmac and no shuttle pick-ups. Anyone who’s ever stood in a dusty Jeep in Finale gets it right away.
A Network on the Rise
The outdoor region around Finale now lists 226 official trails across nine municipalities. Their current condition is available online in real time, including difficulty levels from 1 to 3 for uphill trails. Trail signage in the field still lags behind this digital overview – for now, the most reliable way to navigate is via apps like Komoot or Trailforks.
According to Enrico Guala, over 1,200 hours of trail building and maintenance went into the network in 2024. Funding comes in part from the FOR YOU Card – a digital pass that bundles discounts and channels a small portion of every ride into the trail budget. Industry partners like Bosch eBike Systems provide charging stations and tech know-how, while Re-Power offer free electricity and Komoot packages. The result? If your battery runs out, you’ll find a socket in the next town at the latest – sea view included, if you’re lucky.
The crew says they’re working hard to make 80% of the core uphill trails rideable for most visitors by 2030 – without losing the soul of the region. Soon, the goal is to ditch connecting roads entirely and ride only on official trails, both up and down, on every tour.
What more can you say? While back home even the tiniest new descent sparks political debates, Pietra keeps legalizing one uphill after another. More transparency, more freedom – 365 days of riding season. Honestly, it could be the blueprint for Europe’s low mountain ranges, where forestry and tourism still often talk past each other.
Who’s Pietra Ligure perfect for?
For riders who
- Love technical uphills – or want to learn to love them,
- Prefer solving lines over just rolling down,
- Appreciate charging points and enjoy linking new regions.
What you need to pack:
- Solid riding skills – or at least the will to build them,
- Grippy, tough tires,
- A fresh mindset: here, failure is part of progress,
- And a good glass of Vermentino for your victory (or learning) lap.
Sometimes we like it rough
Pietra Ligure isn’t an all-inclusive resort – it’s raw, and that’s exactly the charm. Ancient trail networks meet high-torque reality. Dedicated builders, events, and industry partners keep the whole system alive. Beginner-friendly flow climbs are still rare, but high on the to-do list. What exists already? A 365-day season and a community that pours all its energy into the trails. In short: if you’re ready to take uphill trails as seriously as the downhill, Liguria’s coast might just be Europe’s most exciting eMTB lab right now.
Words: Jonny Grapentin Photos: Julian Schwede
