Remarks (valid for all the treks):

  1. walking times are estimated based on adequately trained and equipped walkers, and do not include stops.
  2. the routes and the relative height differences are approximate and may vary even significantly at the essential judgment of the professional guide or, where not present, of the SERVAS guide, based on various factors such as the actual conditions of the terrain and meteorology.


“Easy” trek:
Max altitude: 1600 m
D+ total: 650 m / D- total: 1100 m
1st day: D+ 450 m / D- 600 m / time: 3 h 00’
2st day: D+ 200 m / D- 500 m / time: 3 h 00’
Trek leader: volunteers SERVAS
Unlike the others, the easy trek covers only two days allowing a full rest day on Monday. Starting from Oropa, we reach the sanctuary of San Giovanni di Andorno with its large guesthouse and its good restaurant. It will be decided whether to climb through Colle della Colma or to shorten the route by going through the lower Galleria Rosazza, a historic tunnel built in the 19th century by the local philanthropist Federico Rosazza. The second day is dedicated to the Cervo valley and its old villages: from the sanctuary we reach Passobreve following the track of the multi-day trek “Grande Traversata del Biellese”. From Passobreve we’ll go back to Oropa by bus with a stop in Biella.
                              

 

Trekking “medium minus”:
Max altitude: 1446 m
D+ total: 1650 m / D- total: 1650 m
1st day: D+ 550 m / D- 800 m / time: 4 h 40’
2st day: D+ 600 m / D- 450 m / time: 3 h 30’
3st day: D+ 500 m / D- 400 m / time: 3 h 45’
Trek leader: professional guide
This trek leaves the Oropa basin and brings us to the adjacent Elvo valley. On Monday we climb to the pastures near the Elvo / Oropa ridge and then we reach the sanctuary of Graglia, following partially the route of the Grande Traversata del Biellese. First overnight stay in the sanctuary guest-house. On Tuesday the track passes through the old peasant village of Bagneri, which hosts a part of the eco-museum of the Biella territory. After crossing the Salvine meadow area, we get to the Trappa of Sordevolo, a fascinating 18th century building located about a thousand meters above sea level, which offers us accommodatin and another of the “museum cells”. The third day is dedicated to the return to Oropa via Muanda, or, if the group feels like to, via the more panoramic but more challenging Poggio Frassati.
                              

 

Trekking “medium plus”:
Max altitude: 1370 m
D+ total: 1650 m / D- total: 1250 m
1st day: D+ 850 m / D- 200 m / time: 5 h 00’
2st day: D+ 350 m / D- 650 m / time: 4 h 00’
3st day: D+ 450 m / D- 400 m / time: 4 h 30’
Trek leader: professional guide
It is a wide-ranging route, but with not too high gradients. On the first day we ride by bus to the village of Favaro and then on foot we reach at first Sagliano, the birthplace of the Piedmontese war hero Pietro Micca. Later we climb to the Bocchetto di Sessera, historic crossing point between Biellese and Valsessera, still frequented by the local shepherds. Possibility of climbing to Monticchio. After spending the night in the inn next to the Bocchetto, we go down to Campiglia, passing by several hamlets of the Banda Solia (the best exposed side of the Valle del Cervo) and then go up to the sanctuary of San Giovanni d’Andorno, where we spend the night. The third day is dedicated to the return to Oropa passing by the ridge that connects Monte Cimone, Monte Becco e Monte Cucco.

                             

 

Trekking “hard minus”:
Max altitude: 2257 m
D+ total: 2550 m / D- total: 2550 m
1st day: D+ 1100 m / D- 250 m / time: 5 h 15’
2st day: D+ 650 m / D- 1300 m / time: 5 h 30’
3st day: D+ 800 m / D- 1000 m / time: 5 h 00’
Trek leader: professional guide
The hard minus trek takes place across the border between Piedmont and the Aosta Valley. On the first day we follow the historic route of the Fointanemore-Oropa religious procession, we cross the Colle della Barma and reach the Barma refuge, a modern Alpine hut located near the Barma lake. On Tuesday, at a rather high altitude, we return to Piedmont via Colle della Gragliasca, initially following a beautiful mule track built in the 19th century by Senator Federico Rosazza, and then descending into the Pragnetta valley. Then another climb to the panoramic refuge of Madonna della Neve (overnight stay). The third day is dedicated to the return to Oropa via the sanctuary of San Giovanni d’Andorno and the Colle della Colma.
                              

 

Trekking “hard plus”:
Max altitude: 2406 m
D+ total: 2750 m / D- total: 2750 m
1st day: D+ 1100 m / D- 700 m / time: 5 h 45’
2st day: D+ 1250 m / D- 850 m / time: 6 h 15’
3st day: D+ 400 m / D- 1200 m / time: 5 h 15’
Trek leader: professional guide
It’s the most demanding trek of Sentierinsieme 2023. The route is similar to the previous trek apart from being counterclockwise. During the first day (Oropa – Refuge Madonna della Neve, in the area of Selle di Rosazza) instead of passing by colle delle Colma, we go around Cima del Cucco crossing a panoramic meadow area. Same as the hard minus trek we go through Colle della Gragliasca, but if the group feels like to, it will be possible to climb the peak, enjoying a wonderful panorama. During the same day, before descending to the Barma refuge, with a short detour it will be possible to climb the interesting but almost unknown Marmontana peak. On the third day, if the weather and the group condition allow, it will be possible to climb another peak, the Punta della Barma; then, return to Oropa.