Finale is more than just Finale. The world-renowned bike destination of Finale Ligure has produced its fair share of gems and is considered a bike tourism pioneer. To showcase what the surrounding region has to offer, we visited a gem amongst gems tucked away between olive groves and steep hillside terraces: Rose di Pietra, offering a unique blend of organic farm, bike-friendly accommodation and shuttle service. With over 30 bikes in tow, it served as our basecamp for test runs, shuttle laps and countless trail adventures.

Finale Ligure is considered a bike mecca amongst riders around the globe. But just 5 km further south, Pietra Ligure often lives in the shadows of its famous neighbour – unfairly, if you ask us. After all, Pietra has already hosted the EWS-E (now EDR-E), and for good reason, as it doesn’t just offer hair-raising descents, but also brutal, near-unrideable climbs. The region typically offers prime riding conditions from October to March, drawing in those looking to flee from the winter in Europe’s colder regions – ourselves included. This January, our entire team headed south to test no fewer than 30 e-mountainbikes over the course of three full weeks. And for that to work – and still leave room for a little la dolce vita – you need the right basecamp. In the right location. with the right infrastructure. And when it comes to infrastructure – trails, shuttles, cafés and restaurants – it’s not just big brother Finale, but also Pietra Ligure that has everything you need. Especially if you’re riding e-bikes.

Mecca

(ˈmɛkə)
noun

Used to describe a place, institution or area that represents a hub or focal point for a particular activity or interest – making it a place of special importance and strong attraction
Example: A bike mecca

But what is it that draws people there? The trails? The weather? The infrastructure? When it comes to Finale, we all agree: it’s not just a combination of those things – it’s something more. It’s the feeling you get when you’re there. The lifestyle. The energy. Where everyone shares the same passion: biking.

La Dolce Vita on Two Wheels – Between Tomatoes, Trails and Ligurian Ease

What is this place exactly? Organic farm. Agritourism destination. Flow school. Shuttle service. Or, as Martino puts it: “A place for everything that makes life beautiful.” La dolce vita, in other words. We’re sitting in the guest-greenhouse of Rose di Pietra: a bike-friendly retreat perched on the hillside of Pietra Ligure. The bungalows stand on the same terraced land as the actual greenhouses. Though looking worse for wear with a few cracked panes, most are still in use – except for the one right at the end of the drive. That one now serves as a huge communal space for guests, with art on the walls, a lounge area, a big dining table and a fully equipped kitchen. And with us around it accommodated over 30 bikes, including spare parts and all kinds of gear. But how did Rose di Pietra come to be? And what has shaped this place into what it is today?

The Beginnings of Rose di Pietra

The story of this agritourism destination started long before the first mountain bikes ever rolled along the trails of the Ligurian Alps. Back in the 1950s, Grandpa Giuseppe planted a few peach trees. Later came roses, which is where Rose di Pietra got its name.

Nicolò, Giuseppe’s son and Martino’s father, mixed things up, replacing the roses with tomatoes. Soon, the tomatoes turned into an organic farm and everything that entails: greenhouses full of organic veggies, heritage varieties and fresh ideas. Eventually, the family opened a small shop – La Bottega di Rose di Pietra – right in the middle of the village, where everything tastes like it’s home-grown and hand-made. Market-goers, hipsters and hobby chefs all light up when they walk in. Lovingly presented – both simple and stylish – the shop offers everything from organic veg to handpicked craft beers.

But you won’t just find fresh products in the shop. At breakfast in the guesthouse, the ingredients come straight from the field. The tomatoes? From the patch behind the house. The spinach? Watered just minutes ago. The eggs? Still warm from the free-range hens. And the bread? Baked by Grandma Nonna herself. From banana bread to classic wholegrain and white – it’s all fresh out of the oven. Whether you’re still in your pajamas or already fully kitted out in kneepads and helmet, there’s no need to feel out of place here. Just take a seat and be yourself.

Flow School – Shuttle Service and Skills Coaching

While Papa Nicolò tends to the plants – besides having built some of the toughest EDR-E uphill trails around – his son Martino prefers to focus on the descents surrounding Monte Grosso. He also founded the Flow School, which is driven by a clear mission: to give guests a taste of the real Finale feeling. The trails either start right behind the house with a punchy e-bike climb or by shuttle anywhere in the region. So, after breakfast, you can simply put your helmet on and go. There are two uphill trails to choose from: the easier one is named after the guesthouse, though easier is a relative term. Alternatively, Sugheri is for those looking for a serious challenge. To get down Monte Grosso, the local mountain, there are five trails: Acquedotto, Ruote di Pietra, Vaixella, Spillover, and Cuore di Cervo. The last two are especially worthwhile. Spillover flows smoothly down the mountain, interspersed with playful features and little obstacles, winding its way toward the setting sun. Cuore di Cervo, on the other hand, is a much more technical affair – littered with boulders and jagged rock gardens, it demands your full attention.

Prefer the analogue way? Load all the bikes onto the trailer and head off-road with Martino’s team in their Land Rover Defender. With Rose di Pietra as your base, the Flow School offers a wide range of options, from scenic loops in the backcountry of Pietra and Finale Ligure to privately guided tours. And if you’re still finding your feet on the trails around Pietra and Finale Ligure, you can book a riding technique session right on site.

Rose di Pietra isn’t a giant resort. It’s not a highly Instagrammable boutique hotel. It’s a place where stories begin and memories are formed, with breakfast in the former greenhouse or a post-ride beer and bloody shins. Despite conducting a monster group test of 30 bikes, we never lost sight of la dolce vita at Rose di Pietra.

• Location: Rose di Pietra is nestled at the foot of Monte Grosso, about 5 km south of Finale Ligure and roughly 80 km from Genoa.
• Accommodation: There are two different size apartments and four identical bungalows to choose from, each accommodating up to four people.
• Best time to visit: September to June usually offers the best riding conditions and mild temperatures. Midsummer temperatures can get uncomfortably hot and the trails become too dry and dusty.
• Services: Shuttle service, riding technique courses, charging options, and secure bike storage – plus chickens, goats and more.
• Lunch tip with a stunning view near the Ranzi trail area: Ristorante Il Capanno

More information: rosedipietra.com

Words: Julian Schwede Photos: Julian Schwede