★★★★★
"A Tour Like
No Other"
TripAdvisor
4 Days | 3 Nights
E-MTB the
ITALIAN APENNINES
Epic mountain trails
panoramic peaks
Authentic local food & culture
High-end E-MTBs
Small group-Big adventure
1-4 May 2025*
From £545pp
Only 6 spots available
Explore the untouched heart of Italy on two wheels.
This 3-night, 4-day e-MTB journey through the Apennines immerses you in breathtaking landscapes, deep-rooted traditions, and authentic local experiences. Beginning in Genoa, we travel inland to a hidden medieval mountain town, riding panoramic ridgelines and quiet forest trails. Guided by a trusted local guide Manuele, and CKBT founder Col Welsh, this is slow, meaningful travel — shaped by place, movement, and local knowledge.
WHY THIS PLACE MATTERS
ITINERARY
ABOUT THE APININES
WHAT'S INCLUDED & WHAT TO BUDGET FOR
COL'S APENNINE ADVENTURE
Payment plans available | *Dates may be adjusted slightly based on group availability and requests.
Contact us for private bookings.
Why This Place Matters.A Breakdown That Made My Trip
Emanuele is a cool and welcoming guy — warm, generous, and a real pleasure to be around. It was great to spend time with a local who clearly loved sharing his mountains. That unexpected breakdown is what brought me here — and it’s why I wanted to share this place with others.— @col_welsh
During a solo 2,000 km ride through Italy in November 2024, I descended out of the Apennines and hit a cobbled street in a remote mountain village — hard enough to destroy my derailleur on the spot.
By pure chance, I’d stopped right outside a small mountain bike hire shop. It was closed. So were the few hotels and hostels in town. Eventually, I found the only English-speaking person in the village, who helped contact the local pilgrim accommodation. They opened it especially for me — and that night, I had an entire medieval seminary to myself.
The next afternoon, I met Emanuele, the owner of the bike shop. He arranged for my bike to be repaired in a nearby village — a two-day wait. Instead of leaving me stranded, he took me out into the mountains on an incredible e-mountain bike. It was only my second time riding one. The power amazed me. The climb was tough but exhilarating, the views endless, and at the top we rode alongside wild horses on open mountain ridges. It became one of the best days of my entire journey across Italy.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Coast to Mountains
We'll meet in Genoa for a caffè e cornetto before hitting the road. From the coast, Col drives us inland through the Trebbia Valley — once described by Ernest Hemingway as “the most beautiful valley in the world.” We'll stop along the way in a medieval hill town for a wander and a breather, then continue into the heart of the Apennines. Our base is a former seminary — once a school for priests — tucked away in a hidden medieval gem of a town. The day ends with an authentic local restaurant and a relaxed group dinner, ready for the riding to come.
Day 2 – Challenging E-MTB Adventure
We'll begin with a hearty Italian breakfast before riding deep into the Apennines. A guided e-MTB route of 40–50 km takes us across gravel tracks, forest trails, and high panoramic ridges. Along the way: wild horses roam freely, and we pass through 80-million-year-old rock formations & remnants of an ancient seabed lifted into the mountains. We'll return for a well-earned dinner and rest.
Day 3 – Gentle Ride & Local Culture
A slower day to absorb the rhythm of mountain life. Explore our village on foot, wandering its cobbled historic centre beneath the Duomo di San Moderanno, the spiritual heart of the town for centuries. Then an easy e-MTB ride leads us through chestnut woods, quiet villages, and open viewpoints, climbing gently toward the historic Passo della Cisa, a timeless crossing between regions. Along the way there’s space to pause — at a peaceful monastery, a hillside sanctuary, or simply to take in the silence. We return for a group dinner at our local guide’s favourite ristorante.
Day 4 – Return to the Coast
An early departure as we wind back through the mountains toward Genoa. We'll pause by the sea for a final Italian coffee, letting the journey settle. Afternoon or evening flights return us to the UK — sun-touched, quietly tired, and well fed by the mountains.
“The most beautiful valley in the world.”
Ernest Hemingway - The Trebbia Valley
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Accommodation 3 nights at a Pilgrim Hostel, a characterful, welcoming place with a strong sense of community. Run by friendly hosts who make you feel immediately at home, the hostel offers shared rooms that reflect its pilgrim roots and encourage relaxed, sociable evenings after big days on the bike. Private room option: Upgrade to your own double room for +£52 (subject to availability).
Premium accommodation (optional upgrade)
If you prefer an even higher level of comfort, I can also source premium local accommodation nearby — ideal for those wanting extra privacy or boutique-style stays. Availability and pricing on request.
2 x guided ebike tours with Certified Guides Led by an expert, friendly, English-speaking guide who is a Cycle UK–qualified Ride Leader, alongside an experienced local guide. Together, they ensure a safe, well-paced, and deeply authentic riding experience — combining professional standards with insider local knowledge of the trails, landscapes, and culture.
Equipment Helmets & high-end e-mountain bikes, perfectly suited to the terrain and maintained to a high standard, ensuring comfort, confidence, and maximum fun on epic mountain trails.
Transfers Return transfers from and to Genoa Airport, so you can relax from the moment you arrive.
Small, Like-Minded Groups Intentionally kept small with a maximum of 6 people. Solo-friendly by design, this trip brings together a tight-knit group of like-minded, active, outdoorsy riders for a more personal, social experience.
What to Budget For
Meals Meals are not included, giving you the freedom to explore local cafés, bakeries, and authentic Italian trattorias — with plenty of group meals and local recommendations from your guides. Typical costs: €3–6 breakfast · €8–15 lunch · €15–25 dinner.
GETTING TO Genoa Guests travel independently to Genoa, allowing flexibility and access to the best-value flights. Please book a flight arriving by 12:30. We’ll meet at 13:00 for a relaxed caffè e cornetto before departing for the mountains. Late-morning arrivals offer the best balance of cost, comfort, and ease. Return flights from the UK to Italy typically cost £60–£150, depending on departure airport and how far in advance you book.
If you arrive early, take time to enjoy the harbour or historic centre — the journey begins gently. Once booked, simply share your flight details and we’ll take care of the rest.
the Apennines
About the Apennines
The Apennines are Italy’s wild backbone — a long mountain chain running from the north of the country all the way down to the south, shaping its landscapes, culture, and way of life.
Far quieter than the Alps, the Apennines are a place of deep forests, high ridgelines, ancient rock formations, and remote villages where time moves slowly and traditions run deep. These mountains were once the seabed, later lifted skyward, leaving behind dramatic geology and vast panoramic views.
Life here has always been connected to the land. Shepherds’ paths have become gravel trails, Roman roads still cut through the hills, and small mountain towns remain fiercely proud, welcoming, and resilient. You’ll find local food cooked simply and well, strong community spirit, and an unfiltered sense of Italy that’s increasingly rare elsewhere.
For riding, the Apennines are exceptional:
•Long, flowing climbs made accessible by e-MTBs
•Quiet gravel tracks and forest trails
•Big views without big crowds
•A true feeling of exploration
This is not Italy polished for tourism — it’s raw & authentic. A place where challenge turns into reward, and where slowing down often reveals the most unforgettable moments.
