BI-ke Experience

Meeting point: Relais Santo Stefano (Sandigliano).

Departure time and arrival time: meeting at 9 am, departure at 9:30 am, return at 1 pm.

Highlights: Bessa Special Nature Reserve, Victimula. Lunch: Relais Santo Stefano.

The level ranges from beginner to advanced; depending on skill level, we can even reach Serra (Ivrea Morainic Amphitheater).

Relais Santo Stefano is an ideal starting point to explore the surrounding area. It is located in Sandigliano, a peaceful location that offers picturesque surroundings and a relaxing atmosphere.

Departure time: 9:30 AM.

Make sure to be ready and prepared to depart at the scheduled time to make the most of the available time.

The Special Nature Reserve La Bessa is the first highlight of your itinerary. It is located near Relais Santo Stefano. The reserve is a protected natural area that offers an untouched environment, with well-marked trails that will take you to explore the local flora and fauna. You can spend time hiking, enjoying nature, and admiring the beauty of its landscapes.

Victimula is another interesting place to visit during your tour. It is a small village located near the Special Nature Reserve La Bessa. This ancient village offers a charming atmosphere with its stone houses and cobblestone streets. You can take a stroll through the historic center, admire the traditional architecture, and soak in the tranquil atmosphere of this lovely place.

Lunch: Relais Santo Stefano.

After your morning explorations, it's time to return to the starting point, Relais Santo Stefano, for lunch. The restaurant at the relais offers delicious dishes of local cuisine, prepared with fresh and high-quality ingredients. Take this opportunity to enjoy a relaxing meal and recharge your energy for the next part of your itinerary.

Serra (Anfiteatro Morenico di Ivrea)

After lunch, if you have advanced hiking skills and wish to explore further, you can consider visiting Serra, which is part of the Anfiteatro Morenico di Ivrea. Serra is a geological formation characterized by a series of moraine hills that offer breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding plain. You can take a walk along the trails that traverse Serra and enjoy the beauty of the landscape. Please note that this part of the itinerary requires good physical preparation and hiking skills.

Return time: 1:00 PM.

After visiting Serra or having lunch, it's time to return to Relais Santo Stefano to conclude the tour. Make sure to manage your time accordingly to be back by 1:00 PM.

This itinerary allows you to explore the Special Nature Reserve La Bessa, visit the charming village of Victimula, and, if possible, take a hike in the Serra of the Anfiteatro Morenico di Ivrea. Ensure you plan your time effectively to fully enjoy each visited location and take necessary precautions for hiking, such as carrying water, wearing comfortable clothing and footwear, and following trail safety rules.

Meeting point: Sanctuary of Oropa.

Departure time and arrival time: meeting at 9:00, departure at 9:30, return at 1PM.

Highlights: The Tracciolino, La Trappa. Lunch: area near the Sanctuary of Oropa.

The difficulty level ranges from beginner to advanced; based on skills, you can climb to Muanda or Alpe Sette Fontane.

Our tour begins at the charming Sanctuary of Oropa, an important pilgrimage site located in a picturesque valley of the Biellese Alps.

We will meet at the Sanctuary of Oropa at 9:00 AM to start our adventure. We will depart at 9:30 AM to make the most of the available time. The return is scheduled for 1:00 PM.

The Tracciolino is one of the highlights of our tour. This ancient railway track converted into a trail offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and the Sanctuary of Oropa. We will walk along the Tracciolino, admiring the breathtaking panoramas along the way.

After exploring the Tracciolino, we will head towards La Trappa. This picturesque hermitage is nestled in a charming natural setting and offers unique tranquility and serenity. We will have the opportunity to visit La Trappa, explore its historic buildings, and enjoy the peace and beauty of this place.

After our explorations, we will head to the area near the Sanctuary of Oropa to enjoy a delicious lunch. Here, we will have the opportunity to savor local dishes prepared with fresh and authentic ingredients while relaxing in a serene and spiritual atmosphere.

Now, depending on the group's abilities, we offer two options to continue our tour. For participants with advanced skills, we can embark on a climb to Mount Muanda, an imposing mountain with breathtaking views. For those who prefer a less challenging but equally fascinating option, we can visit Alpe Sette Fontane, a picturesque alpine pasture surrounded by pristine nature.

After spending time exploring Mount Muanda or Alpe Sette Fontane, we will return to the Sanctuary of Oropa to conclude our tour. Let's take advantage of the final moments to once again admire the beauty of this sacred location before saying goodbye.

Meeting point: Bielmonte parking lot.

Departure time and arrival time: meeting at 9:00, departure at 9:30, return at 1PM.

Highlights: Bocchetto Sessera, Alpe Artignaga. Lunch: Restaurants available in Bielmonte (or nearby).

The difficulty level ranges from beginner to advanced; based on skills, you can explore further into the Alta Valsessera.

The starting point of our tour is the parking lot of Bielmonte. This mountainous location is an ideal place to begin our adventure, surrounded by breathtaking views and the beauty of nature.

Bocchetto Sessera: located near Bielmonte, it is a spectacular mountain valley that offers well-marked trails and breathtaking panoramas. We will hike along the trails of Bocchetto Sessera, admiring the untouched nature and enjoying the tranquility of this captivating place.

After exploring Bocchetto Sessera, we will head towards Alpe Artignaga. This mountain pasture offers a spectacular panoramic view and an authentic atmosphere. We can stroll among the huts, admire the green meadows, and perhaps encounter local herders and their grazing cows. Alpe Artignaga will provide us with an authentic experience in contact with mountain life.

After our morning explorations, it will be time to enjoy a delicious lunch. Bielmonte and its surroundings offer a variety of restaurants that serve local cuisine dishes. We will have the opportunity to taste local specialties such as cheeses, cured meats, and traditional dishes, rejuvenating ourselves and replenishing energy for the rest of the itinerary.

At this point, based on the group's abilities, we can decide to further explore Alta Valsessera. This mountainous region offers additional challenging trails and spectacular panoramas that can be explored at a more advanced level. We will hike along the more demanding paths, discovering waterfalls, alpine lakes, and a variety of unique flora and fauna.

After spending time exploring Alta Valsessera or after lunch, we will return to the parking lot of Bielmonte to conclude our tour. It will be an opportunity to once again admire the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains before bidding farewell.

This itinerary provides a comprehensive experience of the nature in Bielmonte and Alta Valsessera, allowing each participant to tailor their activities to their abilities and preferences. Make sure to bring appropriate equipment such as comfortable clothing and footwear, water, and a hiking backpack. Have a great journey!

Meeting point: Castellengo.

Departure time and arrival time: meeting at 9:00, departure at 9.30, return at 1:00 PM.

Highlights: Ricetto di Candelo, Riserva Naturale delle Baragge. Lunch: Cascina Foresto.

The starting point of our tour is Castellengo, a charming village that offers an authentic atmosphere and an interesting historical and cultural heritage.

The Ricetto di Candelo will be one of the highlights of our tour. This ancient fortified village offers a fascinating journey into the past. We will walk through its cobbled streets and admire the well-preserved historic buildings. You can immerse yourself in the medieval atmosphere and discover the various artisan shops, courtyards, and towers that characterize this unique place.

After exploring the Ricetto di Candelo, we will head towards the Baragge Nature Reserve. This protected wetland area provides a precious habitat for many species of flora and fauna. We will stroll along well-marked trails, crossing lakes, reed beds, and flower-filled meadows. We will have the opportunity to admire migratory birds, aquatic plants, and the unique ecosystem of this nature reserve.

After exploring the beauty of the place during the morning, we will make our way to Cascina Foresto to enjoy an unforgettable lunch. This charming rural retreat will welcome you with its warm atmosphere and delight you with dishes prepared with local and genuine products. You will have the opportunity to taste specialties of traditional cuisine, including exquisite cheeses, quality cured meats, and dishes made with fresh and seasonal ingredients. This moment of pause will be perfect for relaxing, rejuvenating, and sharing pleasant conversations before moving on to the next exciting part of our tour.

Additional exploration of the surrounding area:

After lunch, we will have some time available for further explorations. Based on the group's preferences, we can visit other interesting places nearby, such as castles, historic churches, or picturesque villages. We can tailor the itinerary to your preferences and the group's interests, ensuring a personalized and satisfying experience for everyone.

Return time: 1:00 PM.

After spending time exploring the surrounding area or after lunch, we will return to Castellengo to conclude our tour. It will be an opportunity to reflect on our adventures and appreciate once again the beauty of this historic place.

This itinerary offers a comprehensive experience that combines the history and culture of the Ricetto di Candelo with the untouched nature of the Baragge Nature Reserve. Make sure to bring comfortable clothing, hiking shoes, and a camera to capture the memorable moments along the way.

Day at leisure, dedicated to discovery the city of Biella.

Optional excursions are available.