Bric Tardia di Ponente – Guretto-Trail

Bric Tardia Ponente - Guretto-Trail

There are countless trail options around Arenzano, with the descent via Monte Tardia di Ponente offering a varied and technically challenging route that includes a section of uphill riding that can be quite demanding.

Description

The tour begins in Arenzano. To warm up, the route rides steadily on paved roads toward the Punta Goetta viewpoint. From here on, the ascent becomes increasingly challenging and steeper, demanding a great deal of strength from mountain bikers without electric assistance. Meter by meter, you gain elevation, while the view of the Gulf of Genoa is truly breathtaking. The route continues in this manner, eventually following a path resembling a cart track to the Passo della Gava. This pass sits imposingly in the mountain range and subsequently offers the transfer route to the Passo Tardia as well as the ascent to the highest point of the tour, the Bric Tardia di Ponente. The panorama here stretches from Genoa to Savona.

The descent then begins. Since this section is very technical in places and features difficulty levels ranging from S2 to S3+, line selection must be precise, as there are significant key sections ahead. Following this rhythm, the route descends the entire ridge with interesting panoramic views until the traverse toward the Bric Cravo viewing platform. Here, a somewhat smoother trail section begins, leading down to the Torrente Lerone and the handcrafted wooden bridge over the stream. The trail continues steadily along the river toward the Mediterranean until you finally return to the starting point via the disused railway line through the tunnels.

Note: The tour is easily manageable with a lightweight electric mountain bike, as the ascent is significantly easier and the descent feels more stable in some places due to the bike’s weight.

To view the detailed tour description, the topo map, the altitude profile and to download the GPX track, you need a user account on Ride-mtb.com with a subscription. Log in now or become a subscriber.