Anyone who has ever felt the call of the mountain knows that certain roads are not only traveled with their feet, but also with the heart. Oropa’s journey is part of this category. Defining it a simple hiking itinerary would be an understatement, since we are talking about a real journey into the soul of the Biella, a path that intertwines history, nature and spirituality in a mosaic of emotions that are difficult to forget.
A journey, four paths
Oropa’s journey is not only one: there are four distinct itineraries, each with their own peculiarities.
The most famous is the Path of the greenhouse65 km long, which starts from Santhià and ends at the Sanctuary of Oropa after four stages of growing intensity. A perfect option for both newbies and more experienced walkers.
Whoever wishes a shorter but equally suggestive journey can choose the Oriental34 km, which winds between Vallemosso and the Sanctuary of Oropa, crossing the Sivera mouth and the Sanctuary of San Giovanni d’Edorno.
Then there is the Canavesano walkthe longest, 84 km, which starts from Valperga and is linked to the greenhouse path at the height of the graglia sanctuary.
Finally, the Aosta Valleythe shortest, follows the journey of the historic procession that every five years brings pilgrims from Fontainemore to Oropa.
When to go: a journey to travel in every season
Oropa’s journey develops at medium-low altitudes, starting from the plain, about 300 meters above sea level, to get to the foot of the Biella Alps, without ever exceeding 1100 meters above sea level. Even during the winter it is possible to travel the path without worries, since the snow is never abundant and never blocks the path.
The magic of the path
The beauty of a path like this lies in the variety, dense and shady iboschi of the Morenic greenhouse, the open valleys that follow one another without stopping, the medieval villages that seem to come out of a postcard. Each step gives a different panorama, an unexpected detail, a special meeting.
Sometimes you walk in total silence, interrupted only by the rustle of the leaves under the boots, other times you cross the small towns where time seems to have stopped. The legs get tired, it’s true, but the mind is free. You can breathe the scent of the wetland, you listen to the stories of the travel companions and, above all, we allow ourselves the luxury of slowing down.
Walking light: the experience of the home of the slow movement
Are you lovers of the philosophy of travel on foot but don’t want to take care of a big and heavy backpack? No problem, there is a perfect solution: the home of the slow movement, near Roppolo. An innovative travel program that allows you to explore the oropa journey with the comfort of a single fixed base. Just leave your luggage in your room and leave every morning with a light backpack, with a shuttle ready to accompany the wayfarers to the starting point, and then recover them on arrival.
This mode is perfect for those who approach the world of the paths for the first time, but also for those who want to enjoy the journey without worrying about logistics. In addition, it offers the opportunity to live the journey in company, a way to share the experience with a small group of fans every day.
For those who love two wheels: Oropa cycle paths
Not just trekking. The Oropa journey also offers three splendid cycle routes, perfect for those who prefer to explore the mountains on two wheels.
There Greenhouse cycle pathwhich can count on Nem 119 km in ring, starts from Santhià and leads to the Sanctuary of Oropa, crossing the Bessa nature reserve and the sweet Morenic hills.
There Canavesana cycle pathInstead, it develops on 145 km and colleague Ivrea in Oropa with a path that touches the Sacro Monte di Belmonte and the Sacra Valley.
Finally, the Eastern cycle path99 km long, allows you to discover the Biellese through splendid picturesque villages and panoramic roads with an irresistible charm.
The itineraries just observed are suitable for anyone, both to expert cycle tourists and to those who want to face them with an e-bike, aspect that makes the path accessible to a large and varied audience.
A slow but rich journey
In today’s frenetic world, where everything must be fast and immediate, Oropa’s journey invites us to rediscover the value of slowness. It is not only a question of kilometers traveled, but of experienced experiences. Stop to talk to an elderly man who tells the legends of the place, taste a typical cheese in a mountain inn, feel your breath agree with the pace of the step.
For those who want to fully live this experience, there is also the Slowcard, a digital card that offers advantages and discounts, both for accommodation and for restaurants affiliated along the way. A way to save, of course, but also an opportunity to support local realities and encourage more conscious tourism.
Why choose the path of Oropa
There are no great reasons to embark on this trip. The desire to start, to rediscover the pleasure of simple things, to look at the world with new eyes is enough. As mentioned, Oropa’s journey is an experience that leaves a deep mark. And once you arrive in front of the sanctuary, with the fatigue in the legs and the light heart, you really understand the meaning of all this.
