5–7
bikers
Small groups only.
dirtlej trips
Enduro Week
Nava
Back to the roots
4½ biking days. 4 full shuttle days. Alpine singletracks, forest, rock and technical sections. Local guides. Max. 7 bikers.
From €1.090
Booking now open
Request a spot
Trip highlights
4½
biking days
4 shuttle days + ½ all-mountain.
4
full shuttle days
More energy for the descents.
½
all-mountain day
600–700 m of climbing under your own power.
6
nights
In Ormea.
1
BBQ
Together after biking.
Why Nava?
More alpine. More open. More raw.
Nava feels bigger and wilder. Open slopes, rocky sections, fast forest trails and long descents constantly alternate. Local guides know the area and adapt the week to the conditions and the group.
READ THE FULL STORY Show less
At dirtlej, we love singletracks. Wild, natural trails leading down into incredible valleys. Trails that make you feel like you are far away from it all.
That is why we teamed up with our friends at Nava Freeride – true locals. Every trail you will ride here was built by them. They live and breathe this impressive region. Their passion for exploring these paths and sharing them with you is one of a kind. For this week, they are your guides and hosts.
The trails themselves are mind-blowing: from steep, loamy forest tracks and technical rock gardens to high-alpine singletracks with ocean views and endless ridgelines – you get a bit of everything here.
We use an off-road vehicle for most of the climbs so you can focus on the essentials: riding. You still have to pedal yourself every now and then, but it is worth it – and it is just part of the experience, right?
Get ready for a week of enduro riding: long days on the bike, wild nature, charming old villages, great food, and an absolute focus on the trails.
1 / 3
Honest self-assessment.
Who is this trip for?
Nava is varied, alpine biking with fast forest sections, open terrain and technical sections. Good bike control and solid fitness are the foundation.
Suitable if …
- Natural, technical trails are ridden confidently.
- Fast sections and changing surfaces are handled well.
- Long, physical descents are no problem.
- Open, alpine terrain is ridden confidently.
- Small groups are preferred.
Maybe not suitable if …
- Flow trails or bike park trails are the main focus.
- Technical sections, rock and changing surfaces cause uncertainty.
- Long days on the bike are not what you’re looking for.
THE PROGRAMME
Ride, ride, ride
Four and a half days on the bike – with shuttle support, alpine terrain and enough flexibility for the conditions and the group.
Arrival
After arriving you will have your time to check in the hotel, your new home for the upcoming week, unpack your luggage, build your bike and make sure it’s ready for the next days.
4 full shuttle days
Breakfast & Prep:
You’ll start the days with a good, hearty breakfast to fuel up. Then the 4x4 van gets loaded to shuttle you to the top of the first trail of the day. This saves your energy for what you’re there to do – descend!
Ride, repeat, & explore:
The core of the days is all about riding. You’ll spend several hours tackling different trails.
Lunch:
At some point, you’ll stop for a well-deserved break. This could be a packed lunch on a scenic ridgeline or a stop in a small village for a taste of local food. The afternoons are reserved for more riding: the guides will lead you to the areas hiden gems.
½ ALL-MOUNTAIN-DAY
1 uplift + pedaling (approx. 600 / 700m climbing & amazing decents)
Breakfast & Prep:
You’ll start the days with a good, hearty breakfast to fuel up. Then we load up the 4x4 shuttle to shuttle you the first part of the uphill.
Ride & explore:
The core of the day is all about riding. You’ll be climbing to really remote, beautiful areas close to the famous “Via del Sale” with stunning views and amazing nature – before you’ll be tackling long trails.
Lunch:
At some point, you’ll stop for a well-deserved break. This could be a packed lunch on a scenic ridgeline or a stop in a small village for a taste of local food. And then the adventure continues with more singletracks.
Departure
It’s time to say goodbye, packing the bikes and drive home – until next time!
The programme may change depending on the weather, trail conditions and group.
The terrain
TRAIL AREA
Around Nava, alpine singletracks, fast forest sections, rocky terrain and open mountain landscapes constantly alternate. From grippy forest floor to technical rock and long descents, there’s plenty of variety.
Colle di Nava
The home base. Direct access to varied trails around the pass.
Val Tanaro
Long descents, forest, rock and plenty of natural terrain.
Alpi Liguri Regional Park
Alpine terrain, open slopes and wild mountain landscapes.
Alassio Bay
Technical trails with a Mediterranean feel and views towards the sea.
COME PREPARED.
Bike & skills
Natural mountain terrain, long days and demanding descents. Both bike and biker need to be ready.
Bike
Bring a full-suspension bike with at least 150mm travel (front & back).
Skill level
Advanced.
You should be a skilled and confident rider, very experienced in riding a variety of natural, technical terrain in mountainous areas. Black-graded trails should be little or no problems for you.
Fitness level
Good.
You will have long days out in the mountains, for 5 days in a row. While we handle the majority of the climbing with uplifts, there is a big amount of descending on physical trails. We will also spend 1/2 day in the high mountains, pedaling more to reach the very long trails. Do not underestimate the fitness needed to fully enjoy this week.
There are 4 1/2 days of guided riding on this trip, so no day off – but obviously you are always welcome to stay in the van or the hotel, should you need a rest. And of course, the days can always be adjusted to the group – to make it harder or less hard.
If you are interested in joining the trip but unsure about your fitness or experience level, please contact us to discuss your needs.
Mindset
This week is a team adventure, so we ask everyone to bring a flexible, supportive attitude – ready to embrace the unexpected and help fellow riders.
YOUR BASE FOR THE WEEK
Hotel & food
Six nights in Ormea with daily breakfast. An easy base for long days on the bike, bikes and recovery afterwards.
More about the basecamp Show less
You will be staying at a family-run hotel in Ormea, situated in the heart of the old town centre and within easy walking distance of everything you might need during your stay. The hotel offers comfortable rooms, a large terrace, a spacious dining-room, and a covered sitting-out area adjoining the hotel.
Dinner will be served in the restaurant just for hotel guests, the delicious home-cooked food is prepared by the proprietor herself.
6 nights
In a twin room in Ormea.
Daily breakfast
Ready for long days on the bike.
1 BBQ
Included in the trip.
Bike storage
Secure storage.
1 / 2
No surprises
What’s included?
Included
- 6 nights in a shared twin room
- Daily breakfast
- 1 BBQ
- 4½ days of guided biking
- Shuttle service
Not included
- Single room supplement (+€25 per night)
- Drinks & alcoholic beverages
- Lunch and dinner
- Transfer to/from Nice Airport (€350 each way)
Payment
Enquire now. Pay later.
From 1.090 €
1
Request a spot
0 €
No payment today.
We check availability and whether the trip matches the riding level.
2
Secure the booking
30%
Due within 10 days
Once the booking is requested and dirtlej confirms it in writing, the deposit becomes due.
3
Pay the balance
70%
Due 30 days before the trip
Once the balance is paid, the trip is fully paid for.
Before you start packing
Questions?
Everything you need to know before sending an enquiry.
How does booking work?
Send an enquiry. We’ll check availability, room options and whether the trip matches the riding level. The booking documents will then be sent over.
What riding level is required?
Advanced riding level and confidence on natural, technical mountain trails. Black trails should cause little or no trouble.
What fitness level is required?
Good fitness. Four and a half long biking days and physical descents add up – even with plenty of shuttle support.
Can I book a single room?
A single room costs an additional €25 per night and is subject to availability.
What happens in bad weather?
The programme can be adapted depending on the weather, trail conditions and group. The plan is adjusted to keep the biking safe and worthwhile.
Can I join on my own?
Yes. The trip is designed for small groups of solo travellers as well as friends travelling together.
Do I need additional insurance?
We highly recommend travel cancellation insurance and accident insurance.
What bike should I bring?
A full-suspension mountain bike with at least 150 mm of travel front and rear, in reliable riding condition.
What is the main language with the guides?
The main language spoken by our guides will be English. Our local guides are experts of the area and many have helped build the trails. They are perfectly suited to show you around and take you to all the secret spots. While they may speak the local language (e.g., Italian), English will be the common language for communication, both with your guides and potentially with other riders from diverse backgrounds.
dirtlej trips