If you’re an enthusiastic mountain biker then you probably already know that Northern Italy is a hotspot for the sport. Areas in the region have welcomed both the UCI Downhill World Cup and the World Enduro Series before.

With the Alps to the west and the Dolomites to the east, Northern Italy has everything from leg-burning cross country trails to flowy jump lines with ocean views and scenic-based family rides. And it has them by the bucket load. There really is something for everyone who loves to cycle.

We’ve teamed up with Green & Blue, a new initiative set up to promote adventure sports in the region, to give you a bit more information and highlight some of the best trails in Northern Italy – which are by extension, some of the best trails in the world.

1) Riding The Neanderthal Trail, and Around Liguria

Finale Ligure is often touted as one of the best mountain bike destinations on the planet. When you get there, it’s not hard to see why. The place is filled with trails of all variety and for every skill level – it’s as welcoming for cross-country enthusiasts as it is for lovers of singletrail. Hence why it’s one of the most hotly anticipated stops on the Enduro World Series pretty much every year. Right on the coast of Italy, the town of Finale Ligure is charming in itself. But move a little into the mainland and you’ll find yourself right in the mountains – 1400m above sea level and with more than 400km of the world’s best trails at your fingertips.

The Neanderthal Trail is also worth noting down. It’s actually built on a trail which was inhabited in prehistoric times and flows into an old toboggan run which is a whole lot of fun.

You certainly won’t be short of options though in Finale Ligure, but if you do want to see more of Liguria, San Remo on the French border is also great for mountain biking, with a range of downhill and enduro trails including the famous descent from Mont Bignone to San Romolo.

2) Tackling The Maxi-Avalanche Route, and Around the Valle D’Aosta

The beautiful Aosta Valley has heaps of potential as a mountain biking destination. Cervinia, a major ski resort come winter, can rival the best of them for downhill and enduro riding.

Cervinia offers a brilliant mix of park-style trails and natural, flowy mountain bike lines. It’s home to the Maxi-Avalanche each year, a race which starts on the snow of the 10,000ft high Plateau Rosa glacier and descends the whole way back down to the village at around 3,500ft, taking in four seasons of terrain and trail along the way. With the Matterhorn – or ‘Monte Cervino’ – dominating the backdrop of the route, you won’t be forgetting it quickly.

Pila in Aosta, near Gran Paradiso national park in the Aosta Valley, will also be a destination well known by any particularly keen downhill riders. It’s hosted the UCI Downhill World Cup Series twice and is full of technical challenges, not least the stunning 11km descent from the top of the mountain to the valley floor.

The La Thuile MTB Natural Trail Area, location of the fourth stage of the Enduro World Series 2017, extends over a vast area which starts at 2,600 meters above sea level at the foot of the Chaz Dura peaks and descends more than 1,200 meters to the village of La Thuile, a total of 220 km of accessible track and trails, some of which are open during the winter season for fatbikes.

3) Flowing Down The Sentiero Valtellina, Lombardia

Lombardia is renowned for the road cycling and in particular, for Stelvio Pass, but if you head there for the mountain biking we’d recommend going to Livigno, where you’ll find over 1,500km of singletrack reaching 1,815m high in the Stelvio National Park.

That huge trail map spans out over an enormous 10,000 square kilometres. And you really get everything you could ask for somewhere or other within the trails network – whether that’s exposed mountain runs and views, switchback trails, forests or more technical riding.

The Sentiero Valtellina is a great hybrid trail combining a smooth, flowy ride with technical sections and quick turns to keep you sharp on your feet (or saddle, as it were). The trail weaves between forests and clearings and really is a great hidden gem. It’s one of those all-out charge moments which reminds you exactly why you love mountain biking.