“Bound by a wild desire | I fell into a ring of fire.” Observing the social camping space of La Campeggia and the gentle Piedmontese valleys that embrace it, while bodies and minds from across geographies move through them, Johnny Cash’s verses begin to expand, shedding their original boundaries and becoming broader, more layered metaphors.

They form the natural soundtrack to an event that is singular in its kind, aptly named Ring of Fire. A two-day gathering rooted in the primal pull of trail running, as well as in the drive for exploration that defines it, shaped by the shared vision of Rayon Vert and Arc’teryx: perspectives oriented toward cultural cross-pollination and a circular reimagining of one of the defining practices of the outdoor world.

To fall into this Ring of Fire is to trace a circle, through movement and gaze, across the undulating, sublime hills that gave rise to none other than Fausto Coppi, a name etched into cycling mythology. Above all, it meant experiencing trail running as something immersive: a natural bridge toward themes such as intentional and applied sustainability, territorial, culinary and musical discovery, genuine togetherness and joy, and an openness to adjacent, kindred practices such as yoga and the advocacy of Protect Our Winters.

“I went down, down, down and the flames went higher.” Concentric flames, then, told here through the voices of some of the protagonists of a weekend that brought together people from Milan, Austria, Bulgaria and beyond, giving rise to a community of its own and echoing the evocative lyricism of the ‘Man in Black’: “The taste of love is sweet | When hearts like ours meet.”

Ring of Fire. Let’s start with the specific experience of the run itself, which gave the event its very name. What emotions and sensations did you experience? And which images or moments have stayed most vividly in your mind?

Isaac Lim: “This was the first time I’d ever done this distance, 21 kilometers. Honestly, I was very fearful, but it was really a mix of fear, excitement, and joy. About halfway through the run, I remember my knees starting to hurt, and I thought, man, this is one of the toughest things I’ve ever done in running. But I had promised myself I would push through, and I did. I finished, and I’m very proud of myself. One image that really stayed with me came right after the first aid station. There was the first peak, or hill, and I was suddenly greeted by this vast, open landscape. I had to stop. I was completely captivated and just stood there for a while, taking it all in. In that moment, I remembered why I started trail running in the first place. It’s a lonely journey sometimes, going out on the trails. My friends don’t always understand why I do it or why it brings me so much joy. But I go there as a reminder to myself: this is what makes me feel alive.”

Sofia Cremaschi: “Without a doubt, the most beautiful aspect of this run, and of the spirit that Rayon Vert seeks to carry forward, is the sense of community: seeing so many people, both local and international, come together. It’s an image that always warms my heart. It was truly special to share a sporting moment with people with whom interactions are often limited to digital exchanges, yet with whom there is deep mutual respect and a shared vision of what each of us is building in our own contexts. To come together and experience something like this is incredibly meaningful. And then, of course, the landscape: the surrounding nature, these hills. It’s a place I feel deeply connected to, as I’ve followed the journey of La Campeggia since its very beginning. I was there for the opening as well, so by now it feels like home.”

Filippo Bortolotti: “I was genuinely struck by the beauty of these places. I live in Turin, but I didn’t know the area at all, I’d never been here before, and it was an incredible discovery. What stayed with me the most was the variety of terrain along the route: constant changes that made each section feel different, even within a seemingly consistent landscape. There were always details that made it unique. The course itself was beautiful: perfect for the event. And then there was this strong sense of community: people coming from different places, small groups forming and dissolving, rhythms shifting. You’d find yourself running alongside someone you didn’t know, exchanging a few words, discovering something new. It was a rich experience, in every sense.”

Miryana Ivanova: “I really, really enjoyed the run. It was definitely very well planned. There was a great balance between uphill, downhill, and flat sections: it never felt like too much of one thing. It was just very balanced overall, and there were some amazing viewpoints. I still remember one moment in the second half of the run. We were hiking uphill, and I was thinking, ‘this is probably the last climb… and hopefully it’s a good one.’ Then, we reached the top, and there was this beautiful view over the valley. I even stopped, which I rarely do during a run, to take a picture and a video. So you can imagine how special it was.”

The social camping experience at La Campeggia was the heart of these two days, but it also offered the chance to connect with the entire area surrounding Costa Vescovato. What was it like exploring La Campeggia and the hills around it?

Isaac Lim: “Honestly, it was amazing. If it hadn’t been for Ring of Fire, I would never have known about La Campeggia or this region. It felt like a perfect introduction for me. I really experienced the power of camping: of simply being with people in a place like this. It helped me understand the context of the place much more deeply. The dinner at Valli Unite was just incredible. The whole experience really connected us with the people making the wine, the food producers, everything… I feel like I want to come back. This isn’t where it ends: it’s more like a door that’s been opened. I’d love to bring people back here from Austria. It’s such an amazing project. I’m really inspired by what they’re building.”

Sofia Cremaschi: “As Federica from La Campeggia mentioned during the talk, this place is a form of social camping. They’ve managed to reclaim this space and make it available both to the local area and to a broader outdoor community. For me, for Rayon Vert, and for the wider community, it has always been a crucial point of reference. It’s also a place that has helped many cyclists discover the incredible trails and routes in the area, and how accessible it is even from cities like Milan. Every time I come here, I feel that same sense of grassroots connection and self-determination that we try to support and promote. This is a tangible example of that: local production, mutual support, a strong bond with the territory, but also a real openness to the outside… To new ideas and practices. I was born and raised in Milan, but I spend a lot of time in outdoor spaces, also through my work. Being here makes me imagine a different kind of future: this is a way of life I feel increasingly drawn to.”

Filippo Bortolotti: “I had heard about La Campeggia through friends who had been here, and it came at exactly the right time for me. This year I wanted to start traveling more with a tent, exploring camping, and beginning from a place like this was perfect. It really opened up a new perspective. Places like this exist: spaces that offer incredible services, built with what they have available. That was my impression. I was also already familiar with Valli Unite, because I’ve worked with their wines through my job in Turin. So while I didn’t know the area, there was already a thread connecting me to it. When I saw the name, it felt like a circle closing. These two days were full of connections: small elements coming together. I’m a big supporter of these kinds of realities, of small towns and the people trying to build something meaningful there. I try to support them as much as I can, because they’re the ones creating these opportunities for us. It was really beautiful.”

Miryana Ivanova: “As someone who had never been here before, I really loved the landscapes and everything I saw around me. I also really appreciated the idea behind the community camping. We don’t really have something like this in Bulgaria, at least not in my experience. It was beautiful to see how the team of La Campeggia run this social space: a very affordable way for people to come, pitch their tents, and connect in a setting outside the city, immersed in nature. I also liked their approach to sustainability. They reuse things, minimize waste, and everything is local. For example, leftovers from breakfast were transformed into something else we ate later. That’s really great: no waste. I truly like what they’re doing here.”

The idea of circularity, embedded in the very name Ring of Fire, expanded into practices and themes closely connected to trail running itself: yoga, collective sharing, music, and food. In your understanding and experience, how important is it that trail running acts as a bridge to these other dimensions?

Isaac Lim: “It’s very important. Trail running isn’t just a single, isolated activity. As a person, I’m not only a runner: there are many other parts of me. I love music, I love meeting human beings, talking to them, learning about the people who cook the food, where it comes from, or about landscapes and traditions… It’s all interconnected. Everything feeds into everything else. Music, subcultures, running: they all build on each other. If you think about a person, there are many layers, and training is just one of them. It naturally connects to everything else. During this experience, everything came together in a really powerful way.”

Sofia Cremaschi: “For me, it’s essential that sport, and trail running in particular, acts as a medium for building community and connections. The spirit of Rayon Vert has always been this: yes, there’s a focus on performance and sport, but it’s also a way to meet, to connect, to build relationships. It’s really encouraging to see how outdoor activity is increasingly understood as a healthy space for sharing experiences. Trail running, like other sports, fits perfectly into this perspective.”

Filippo Bortolotti: “It’s fundamental. Even in my own small way, in Turin, I try to create something that isn’t just about running or performance, but that includes everything that makes up our broader cultural background. Events like this prove that it works. Reducing everything to just running would be limiting, even boring. Running alone and running with others are completely different experiences, especially mentally. Bringing together different elements enriches everything. It even makes the act of running more engaging. People become more involved, more curious, more open to discovering new things. In the end, connections always emerge: there’s always something in common. If you’re able to bring those elements together, it’s incredibly powerful.”

Miryana Ivanova: “I really like that running connects people with different interests and professions. You get to meet people with diverse knowledge and perspectives, and you can learn a lot from them, simply because you share the same passion. That’s very special. On this occasion, it has also brought me to Italy, so it can take you to new places as well.”

Following up on that, one of the most meaningful moments of the weekend was the talk co-hosted by Protect Our Winters and La Campeggia. How did you experience this shared conversation, and what did it leave you with?

Isaac Lim: “What left the biggest impression on me was the final activity we did with our phones. They asked us to look into the public transport options that connect us to our favorite outdoor spots. It made me reflect on how I reach my trail running routes. I’m proud to say that I’ve always used my bicycle or public transport: I’ve never really considered taking a car. But it also made me think about how others approach this, especially my friends. When I want to bring them to a trail that’s a bit far, how can I start that conversation within my community? POW really made me think about how to create change at a local level first, before thinking about larger systems or governments. Sometimes, it can feel intimidating: you’re just one person. But they addressed that too: how to start small, how to have conversations, how to call your friends and organize things better.”

Sofia Cremaschi: “It was a very insightful conversation, especially around the topic of mobility, which is something I often reflect on. In Milan, it’s a very present issue: many people move by bike or public transport. Personally, I do own a car, but I use it exclusively to leave the city and reach less accessible places. I’ve always been sensitive to environmental sustainability, but talks like this push you to question yourself further: what more can I do? What alternatives can I adopt? How can I contribute, even in a small way, to improving the context I live in?”

Filippo Bortolotti: “I was really impressed, and also a bit surprised, even slightly ashamed, that I wasn’t aware of realities like POW before. The talk was incredibly engaging: the speakers had a strong presence and conveyed real commitment. It held your attention throughout, because you genuinely wanted to understand more. It’s great to see such complex topics being addressed within the outdoor world in a way that feels concrete and accessible. It gave me a lot to think about. I’d like to explore the project further, understand how it works and how it could be applied on a smaller scale: in everyday life or within a group. Even just taking inspiration from it can make a difference.”

Miryana Ivanova: “I feel very lucky to live in a city in Bulgaria where I can reach the mountains by public transport: I consider that a luxury. But I also understand the problem, because I don’t have a car. If I want to go somewhere outside the city to explore or do sports, I have to rely on friends or plan bus trips far in advance. Sometimes it takes two hours to reach a place that’s only 30 minutes away by car. So I really liked their idea of shared transport: groups where people say, ‘I’m going here, I’m traveling this way, join if you want.’ I already do something similar with carpooling when I go home from Sofia. I think it’s a great solution, especially since public transport isn’t always well developed.”

The event was born from the shared vision of Rayon Vert and Arc’teryx. What was it like to be part of this synergy?

Isaac Lim: “It was really, really cool. What Rayon Vert is doing is amazing. I’ve been following them for a while. It’s a very special entity. And Arc’teryx… Well, it’s a big brand. Everyone knows it. It was funny because, just before coming here, I was at the opening of the Arc’teryx store in Vienna, a huge store. It shows how important the market is, with Munich already established nearby. But what I find most interesting is this collaboration between a big brand and a smaller entity like Rayon Vert. That relationship is important because it gives smaller, creative teams the power to do what they want. Big brands have resources, but sometimes they need that creative direction, that different perspective, which smaller groups can bring. When you bridge these two worlds, you open something up for people in between: for those who care about outdoor culture, but also about style and identity. In that sense, Ring of Fire is a perfect example of how this partnership can work. Big brands and smaller entities coming together, tapping into a shared vision of the outdoors and its culture.”

Sofia Cremaschi: “It was beautiful. We operate very much in a ‘friends and family’ spirit: both personally and through my collective, Slip Mode, we’ve always had connections with Rayon Vert and Arc’teryx Italy. It was also a special moment because we were able to show people coming from outside the energy of the Milan outdoor community and what we’ve built over the years. I really appreciate the fact that Arc’teryx has been able to establish genuine connections with communities, giving them space and voice. The brand is important, of course, but it’s equally important to support what grows from the ground up. That’s what made everything feel so natural: we truly felt at home.”

Filippo Bortolotti: “I’ve been following Rayon Vert since the very beginning. I came across it early on in my journey and immediately thought: this is the vision I was looking for. When I saw the event, I was blown away. And when I got the confirmation that I’d been selected… Well, even more so. The most powerful part was connecting in person with people I had only ever seen online: reading articles, following content, and then suddenly having real conversations, including with the Athleta Mag team. That changes everything. It makes you feel part of something, not just represented by it. Building real connections makes everything more authentic: more real.”

Miryana Ivanova: “I’ve to be honest, everything was quite new to me. But I really liked how well they collaborated. Their values and energy seem to align, and that created a very strong and coherent atmosphere. It felt like a natural match between what they believe in and how the event came together.”