A weekend devoted to the province of Biella, with hikes inside the Zegna Oasis and in the Sacro Monte di Oropa Nature Reserve, ending with a visit to the sanctuary.
We set off from Cuneo with the camper around 6.45 pm and after various mishaps and a rather unusual itinerary (due to the satellite navigator), which takes us to explore the hills around Chieri, we reach Bielmonte and stop for the night just before the village in parking area 2 where there is an area equipped for campers with a waste disposal point and water (3.50 euro per night).
The day immediately turns out sunny, breezy and clear, so we can enjoy a magnificent panorama over Biella and the plain below. A pity we didn't wake up early, where on the horizon we can already see the summer heat rising we could even have spotted Monviso! The parking area where we stopped, given its exposure to the winds, is the place where events related to "air" take place, such as paragliding, kite flying and model aircraft flying.
We set off from this parking area and go back up the Panoramica Zegna in the direction of Bielmonte, which we reach a few minutes later, where the ski lifts, now at rest, are clearly visible. Our itinerary for the day involves first of all going to see the blooming in the Conca dei Rododendri, following the Passeggiata dei Rododendri, just before Trivero. As we go down the Panoramica, the coniferous woods alternate with open spaces from which you enjoy a beautiful view and, behind a bend, to our astonishment we meet a tender roe deer that crosses the road in front of us, a little hesitant. What a lovely surprise! At a certain point the pines and firs give way to cultivated rhododendrons and hydrangeas. Unfortunately, already from these plants we realise that the blooming period is already over.
A pity, because it's truly spectacular to travel along this road lined with flowers in different shades of pink. We nevertheless go down to the Rododendri path, which we walk anyway, since it's a lovely stroll in the green, on a paved road. It almost seems like a private garden, so cared for is the way it's maintained. The first time I came here it was the full blooming period (mid-to-late May) and I assure you it's spectacular! I recommend it, it's worth it.
Once the short excursion is over we go back up the Panoramica Zegna and stop at Bocchetta Margosio. This too is a place absolutely worth seeing since, if there aren't many clouds, it offers a direct view of the Monte Rosa group. As always the recommended time of day is early morning. We manage to see at least part of the range, before it disappears behind the big clouds. It is our intention to walk some path of the Oasi to admire, this time, the blooming of the wild rhododendrons that abound here. In this case we are lucky, this year the winter season dragged on and the blooming was delayed. We therefore walk a stretch of the Sentiero di Rubello and then, in the opposite direction, that of Frà Dolcino which leads us to Bocchetta Luvera.
What's nice about the Oasi Zegna is that, despite being a mountainous area, the altitude is not high and there are easy, undemanding excursions suitable for everyone that nonetheless give the opportunity to be in the midst of nature and to enjoy the landscape and the numerous patches of rhododendrons.
After lunch, we go back down along the Panoramica Zegna to Barbato and the nearby Santuario della Brughiera, a place of Marian pilgrimage, from where we set off for another excursion along the path leading to the Santuario di Mazzucco. This itinerary too, which runs at least in its first stretch inside the woods, is very beautiful and pleasant, equipped with information signs and also with a route for the disabled. We don't walk it all, it would take too long and we have an appointment with some friends at Oropa. We therefore stop at Capomosso and from there we retrace our steps.
With the visit to the Santuario della Brughiera our day in the Oasi di Bielmonte comes to an end. We'll certainly be back, when we next need to relax and recharge. At this point we head to Oropa where we stop in the new equipped area (waste disposal point, water and 220 V; 11 euro per 24h) where we are soon joined by our friends. We treat ourselves to a walk up to the Sanctuary until a heavy rain forces us to separate and take shelter each in our own vehicle. Thus we end the evening, we'll make up for it the next day.
Once again we wake up to good weather and so, as we had decided earlier, we set off for the hike to Lake Mucrone. We follow the trail that starts behind the sanctuary and climbs, at first, through the woods, along the river. Near a small chapel, the path comes back out into the open on the mountain and continues at an acceptable gradient, not too tiring. At a certain point on the climb we come across a large expanse of snow, left over from a huge avalanche. We get past it without any trouble, with a bit of fun after the initial fears. The snow is compact, but not frozen. After this small obstacle we get back on the trail which soon brings us to the small Rifugio Rosazza. After a short break we set off again and in no more than five minutes we reach the cable car that connects the nearby Rifugio Savona with Oropa. We are almost at the lake.
(1.30 h of walking) Within ten minutes we get there, not without having crossed another big stretch of snow!! What a marvel!! The lake is almost entirely frozen and all around there is still a lot of snow. Impossible to walk around it as we had planned. We have a quick lunch because it is starting to get cold and then we go back down to the valley. We get back to the camper just in time before it starts to rain, we rest, then we go to visit the Sanctuary of Oropa. First we see the Chiesa Nuova and the collection of nativity scenes in the crypt, then the Chiesa Antica and the cloister. The Room of the Candles is beautiful and intimate. We don't go into the Museum, since it is almost closing time. Back at the camper, we have dinner and then set off for home. We spent a pleasant weekend in the Biella mountains: we will certainly be back!
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