The Oropa Way

"There were not many opportunities for leisure in Biella, except perhaps taking a bus and heading uphill. And where else but Oropa? The sanctuary itself was an irresistible attraction: people would walk there on Christmas Eve night, and after every school year completed successfully, after every exam passed, they would promise, almost like a mantra, to 'walk up to Oropa' in gratitude. This also explains the warm, and sometimes even festive, welcome received today by those who set out on the Oropa Way, in the small villages where nearly everyone has, at least once in their life, walked the paths leading to the sanctuary."

From The Oropa Way Guide, Touring Club Italiano, 2026

Whichever direction you approach from, the sight of the Sanctuary of Oropa, nestled among the rugged peaks of the Biella Alps, is always deeply moving. The site has been considered sacred since ancient times and conveys a profound sense of peace to all visitors, both religious and secular, embodied in the gentle beauty of the Black Madonna statue. At Oropa, travelers feel welcomed and protected, perhaps because its cloisters and imposing Baroque buildings seem designed to shelter pilgrims and walkers from the harshness of the surrounding mountains.

Our journey follows the route of the Eastern Way, climbing from the Strona Valley to Oasi Zegna, an outstanding regional treasure created through a reforestation project launched in the 1930s by textile entrepreneur and philanthropist Ermenegildo Zegna. We will walk through chestnut and beech woodlands, cross open clearings dotted with birch trees, and pass through alpine meadows where cattle graze peacefully. Our route then leads into the Cervo Valley, known locally as Bürsch, a community of ancient Walser origin, historically inhabited by stonecutters and mountain farmers. The Sanctuary of San Giovanni d'Andorno marks our final evocative stop before descending from Colle della Colma into the basin of Oropa.

Food & Local Specialties: Biella's cuisine is deeply rooted in mountain traditions and renowned for its excellent cheeses. A must-try dish upon arrival in Oropa is polenta concia, enriched with melted toma cheese and generous amounts of butter. Among local cured meats, the Paletta della Val Sessera is a cooked ham made from pork shoulder, traditionally served warm with potatoes but equally delicious in a sandwich. For a sweet souvenir, look for the famous Canestrelli Biellesi, crisp wafers filled with dark chocolate, or the buttery Torcetti della Serra, a traditional local biscuit.

Region, Society & Environment: The Biella area has a centuries-old textile manufacturing tradition, though today the industry is much smaller than in the past, as evidenced by the many historic factories that have either been abandoned or repurposed. Textile production has been present in these valleys since the late Middle Ages, thanks to the flocks of the native Biellese sheep breed. During the eighteenth century, some of the first modern textile companies emerged, several of which remain active today, concentrating all stages of production in impressive vertical mills powered by the waters of mountain streams. During our journey, we will discover the two faces of Biella: its industrial heritage, still present despite its decline, and its enduring agricultural and pastoral traditions.

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Highlights:

• Spectacular views across the Po Valley and the Alps

• Forest bathing in the wilderness of Val Sessera and Oasi Zegna

• Three historic sanctuaries: Brughiera, San Giovanni d'Andorno, and Oropa

Departure: Meeting point at Biella San Paolo railway station between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. The station can be reached via the Trenitalia regional line connecting Turin and Milan, with a change at Santhià (from Turin) or Novara (from Milan). Your guide will meet the group at Biella San Paolo and accompany participants by public bus to Valle Mosso. Arrival in Oropa is scheduled for late morning. Bus connections to Biella San Paolo are available from 2:00 p.m.

Itinerary: A point-to-point trekking journey along mountain trails and historic mule tracks.

Optional Extension: Possibility to stay an additional night in Oropa and visit the sanctuary, its museums, and surrounding area together with the guide.

Guide: Roberta Ferraris, local guide from Biella and author of The Oropa Way Guide (Touring Club Italiano, 2026); certified AIGAE hiking guide for the Piedmont region.

For further information, please contact the guide at +39 334 226 5612.