Location: Nimis/Neme, Tarcento/Čenta, Lusevera/Bardo
Saturday, October 24 – Sunday, October 25, 2026
Mountain Biking as a Driver of Sustainable Regional Development
The Torre Valleys, where nature, culture, and cycling tourism come together, will host the IMBA Gathering, the Italian mountain biking community’s flagship annual event. The location is no coincidence. The Torre Valleys offer a real-world example of how mountain communities can build a new identity around trail stewardship and sustainable mobility. Hosting the Gathering here gives Italy’s MTB community an opportunity to experience this ongoing transformation firsthand, explore its potential, and engage with the challenges that still lie ahead.
Events will take place in the municipalities of Nimis/Neme, Tarcento/Čenta, and Lusevera/Bardo, which will take center stage throughout this year’s Gathering.
IMBA Gathering Italia brings together mountain biking enthusiasts, technical experts, local government representatives, tourism professionals, and community organizations around a shared vision: mountain biking as a tool for sustainable regional development.
The 2026 edition marks another milestone in the event’s growth. For the first time in its history, the Gathering will welcome international speakers alongside some of the most influential voices in Italy’s mountain biking scene.
The conference program in Nimis/Neme will bring together a range of complementary perspectives, from the economics of cycling tourism and protected-area management to European trail management models, featuring firsthand experiences from Slovenia and the IMBA Europe network. The program will also explore major cross-border cycling routes that are reshaping the appeal of mountain destinations across Europe. Saturday’s program will wrap up with a panel discussion focused on Italy’s mountain bike trail areas, featuring people who work directly in the field.
Two Days of Events: “Trails as a Shared Resource: Local Communities and Outdoor Recreation Shaping New Regional Identities”:
- Saturday, October 24 – Conference in Nimis/Neme. The day will feature morning speaker sessions, a panel discussion with institutional representatives, lunch, and afternoon presentations. It’s an opportunity for community organizations, tourism professionals, local officials, and technical experts to exchange ideas, share experience, and explore practical solutions.
- Sunday, October 25 – Out on the Trails in the Torre Valleys. Join an MTB ride and hands-on workshops to experience the region firsthand and take a deeper look at trail management, maintenance, and the development of outdoor recreation routes. The program will also include a visit to the Villanova/Zavarh Cave, one of the Friuli Venzia Giulia region’s most significant karst caves.
For more information and registration:
The 2026 Gathering is made possible with the support of the Natisone and Torre Mountain Community, which recognized the event’s potential as a practical opportunity to showcase and strengthen the Torre Valleys. Organizational support is provided by Maglia Nera APS, a Friulian nonprofit organization with longstanding ties to IMBA Italia.
