FATMAP by Strava

Roller Coaster -> Madonna Della Guardia Shuttle Run

Finale Ligure

Warm up on Roller Coaster, then drop into the most technical trail in Finale Ligure.

Mountain Biking Extreme

Distance
15 km
Ascent
95 m
Descent
1 km
Duration
0-1 hrs
Low Point
9 m
High Point
981 m
Gradient
11˚
Roller Coaster -> Madonna Della Guardia Shuttle Run Map

The Roller Coaster Trail is hands-down the most famous and most popular shuttle run in all of Finale Ligure! Starting from the top of the mountain ridge, Roller Coaster cruises down along one spine of the range at a relatively mellow grade (for European mountain bike trails). Most riders choose to shuttle to the top with one of the many shuttle van services in Finale, but you can, of course, pedal if you're a true badass.

Description

While Roller Coaster is ultra-popular, advanced mountain bikers only consider this trail to be a warm-up for the more technical test pieces that you’ll find at the end of it. Far and away the most technical trail accessible from Roller Coaster—and in all of Finale Ligure—is the renowned Madonna Della Guardia trail.

Here’s how the ride is characterized in an article on Enduro-MTB.com: "The first steep gully is so dusty and holes are so deep, it is just carnage. Riding up high in the corners and trying to jump little gaps; we’re right in the middle of what probably represents bike riding very well! It just keeps going and if you’re able to do it under 2 minutes, you’re competing with Greg Callaghan and Wyn Masters on Strava.”

This trail is so rough and so burly that it serves as an early-season training run for downhill racers from across Europe, thanks to Finale Ligure’s temperate climate. If you’re looking for a challenge, look no further!

Sources: https://www.singletracks.com/mtb-trails/worldwide-shredlist-finale-ligure-italy-or-whistler-by-the-sea/ https://enduro-mtb.com/en/raaw-madonna-della-guardia/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSlMrsAGNRc

Difficulty

Extreme

Very steep, difficult, narrow singletrack with widely variable and unpredictable trail conditions. Unavoidable obstacles could be 15in/38cm tall or greater, and unavoidable obstacles with serious consequences are likely to be present. Obstacles could include big rocks, difficult root sections, drops, jumps, sharp switchbacks, and more. Ideal for expert-level riders.

High Exposure

3 out of 4

Some trail sections have exposed ledges or steep ascents/descents where falling could cause serious injury.

Remoteness

2 out of 4

Away from help but easily accessed.

Best time to visit

all year round

Features

  • Technical
  • Shuttle-run
  • Singletrack
  • In the forest
  • Drops
  • Jumps
  • Roots
  • Rock Rolls
  • Rock Slabs
  • Rock Gardens

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area