The trail begins in front of the Scopello-Mera chairlift arrival, where signs guide to Alpe Campo, initially on asphalt road through the village, then on dirt road. From here begins a gradual ascent on trail to Pian d’Asnin. At this point, route 2A meets number 2 (the Mera-Meggiana-Rassa bike path). Signs indicate to ride it in the opposite direction and then at the fork to turn left towards the village of Mera. This section is wide, scenic and almost flat until you reach Boschetto, where a quick descent brings you back to the starting point.

Directions to follow

Yellow signage with stylized cyclist and number 2a from the chairlift station to Alpe Campo and Pian d’Asnin. Yellow signage with stylized cyclist and number 2 from the Pian d’Asnin-cycleway 2 Mera-Meggiana-Rassa intersection (follow the directions in the opposite direction from that indicated by the arrows).

The official starting point is at the cemetery in Borgosesia, where you can park your car in the two large squares. Alternatively, it is possible to start from the city center. The route passes through the village of Caggi, travels along the road in the fields of Rozzo and Caneto, and enters the woods where it meets route 4a Guardabosone-Borgosesia. The two routes at this point become one, which, after crossing the entire forest, reaches the outskirts of Quarona in the Badia area.

After crossing SP 8 and the railroad footbridge, continuing north, you reach the town of Quarona.

From here, following the signs, you pass the sports field and reach the built-up area. Crossing SP 8 again, you take the road to Cilimo where, after about a kilometer, signs invite you to turn left. The path here is a charming cobblestone road that first runs alongside some small chapels and then enters the fields to Pianpresello.

The carriage road from Civiasco (SP 78) leads all the way to Varallo, to the Sacro Monte cable car departure station, through the most characteristic part of the town of Varallo and its historic districts.

From the square of Guardabosone, the route descends to Agnona via the Bocchetto road, crosses it and heads to Isolella and then crosses SP 299, the bridge over the Sesia and SP 8.From here, going up the small road of the old Isolella station, it reaches the village of Vanzone and enters a picturesque forest. where it joins up with route 4 Borgosesia-Varallo, with which it will share the rest of the route. After passing through the entire forest, it reaches the outskirts of Quarona in the Badia area. After crossing SP 8 and the railroad footbridge, continuing northward, it reaches the village of Quarona.

After a short stretch along SP 8, the route turns left, and passing through the innermost wards of the municipality, again passes the railroad tunnel and continues downhill on the dirt road toward the Sesia. Once you pass, passing underneath, the SP 299 overpass, you enter the woods leading to the industrial area of Roccapietra.

From here, following the signs, you pass the sports field and arrive in the built-up area. Crossing SP 8 again, you take the road to Cilimo where, after about a kilometer, signs invite you to turn left. The path here is a charming cobblestone road that first runs alongside some small chapels and then enters the fields to Pianpresello.

The carriage road from Civiasco (SP 78) leads all the way to Varallo, to the Sacro Monte cable car departure station, through the most characteristic part of the town of Varallo and its historic districts.

Departing from the Vercelli train station, follow the bike paths of Corso Italia, Corso Palestro and Viale Rimembranza until you leave the city, heading towards Cascina Vecchia, leaving the asphalt and skirting the airport runways. After reaching Cascina Torrione, leaving the dirt road, you reach Cascina Boschine, currently used in part by students of the Ferraris Agricultural Institute of Vercelli for educational and field research activities. You then cross the small hamlet of Carengo, passing Cascina Aramino and then Cascina Castellazzo and Cascina Ferla. Skirting the “roggia del molino,” we reach the vicinity of Larizzate where, taking Via Nino Bixio, we can observe the church of Maria SS. Assunta. From here comes a document, dated August 27, 1493, which, for the first time, reports the cultivation of rice in the Vercelli area. In the surroundings of the

town is a 12th-century castle of which, to this day, a portion of the wall and 2 towers remain. After passing Cascina Varola, through a grassy road that becomes a path, you first pass Cascina Angossa, then Cascina Angossetta. A short distance away is Cascina Boraso, an important example of a 19th-century farmstead that in 1932 became the primary headquarters of the Experimental Station for Rice Growing and Irrigated Cultivation. Return to town via Strada Olcenengo, then follow Via Gran Paradiso, Via Monviso until it crosses C.so Giovanni Gastaldi and returns to the starting point, in Piazza Roma, railway station area.

Recommended period: spring and autumn

Terrain type: dirt and asphalt

From Vercelli station, follow the bike lanes toward Corso Italia to Rione Cappuccini, then continue in the direction of Prarolo, skirting the bank of the Sesia River among poplar groves and rice paddies. At the fork, head toward Palestro to reach the famous “locks,” a series of jumps with which the Sesia River overcomes a drop of about 10 meters. After passing the hamlet of Pizzarrosto, continue to the village of Pezzana. Passing first Tenuta Valgioja and then Cascina Bellincontro, you reach Caresana, famous for the centuries-old tradition of the “Running of the Oxen,” shared with the neighboring municipality of Asigliano, which finds its origins in 1236 and whose origin is now attributed to the stage of return to the village that followed the procession in honor of St. George. Also noteworthy are the majestic parish church of San Matteo and the Church of San Giorgio with the chapel of the SS. Annunziata. Returning toward Pezzana, we

continue on to Prarolo, home to one of the best-preserved castles in the Vercelli area dating back to the end of the 14th century. Built by the Benedictines of the Abbey of Santo Stefano di Vercelli, it is characterized by a cylindrical tower and a quadrangular one with conspicuous machicolations. Also worth mentioning is the Parish Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, rebuilt in 1628 and enlarged in the early 20th century, which contains an 18th-century canvas originally painted by Beaumont. Particular then is the public fountain with its incessant jet, also known as the “chita mai.” To return to Vercelli, retrace the bike paths back to the starting point.

Recommended period: spring and autumn

Type of terrain: dirt and asphalt

From the Vercelli train station, take the Corso Gastaldi overpass and follow to Olcenengo and Casanova Elvo, where you can admire the pre-12th-century castle and the majestic Church of S. Martino in the main square. Follow to Formigliana, taking some time to observe the Monte Rosa Massif that frames the ancient farmsteads along the way. Crossing the Cervo stream, you continue on to Balocco, where you can admire the 15th-century castle and the Church of San Michele, inside which a triptych by Giovenone is preserved; you then pass through the villages of San Giacomo Vercellese and Rovasenda, respectively, to continue on to Gattinara. A stop here is a must, to visit the town and its surroundings, on whose hills the DOCG wine of the same name is produced. The town center features important historic-artistic buildings, such as the Parish of St. Peter, dating from the early medieval period, and the Castelle Tower, which dominates the town from the surrounding hills.

We continue the route by crossing the Sesia River and reaching Romagnano Sesia, passing to the left orographic bank, entering the territory of the Novara hills. Here in succession we encounter Ghemme, Sizzano and Fara, a hilly region producing excellent DOC wines. Approaching the Sesia again, we pass Carpignano and Landiona, to arrive at the towns of Recetto and San Nazzaro Sesia, which present, respectively, the historic village with its ancient castle and 13th-century walls and the Abbey of SS. Nazario and Celso, an example of medieval fortified abbeys, dating back to the 11th century. From here it continues past the towns of Villata and Borgo Vercelli, returning to the city of Vercelli.

Recommended period: spring and autumn

Terrain type: asphalt

This route is one of the variants found on the way to the Valdobbia Pass, leading to Alpe Larecchio, one of the most beautiful pastures in Valsesia. Its small lake surrounded by larch trees and the wide plateau crossed by the distinctive serpentine created by the passage of the Valdobbia stream make it a beloved and fascinating destination, especially during the colorful fall season!

To reach the starting point of this itinerary, from the village of Riva Valdobbia you walk along the paved carriage road to the hamlet of Ca’ di Janzo, continuing then always on the road (partially subjected to transit restrictions, during the summer season) to the hamlet of Sant’Antonio, where you can park your car (arrival point of the Ca di Janzo – Sant’Antonio summer shuttle).

Starting on foot on the dirt road past the houses and the hamlet’s small church, follow the old route to Aosta with the 201 marker. At the end of the dirt road you reach the hamlet of Peccia, with its characteristic Walser houses and beautiful small lake. Continuing on the path to the right that passes between the small houses, just beyond the small church of the Oratory of San Grato, you pass the old Napoleonic-era bridge (reachable in about an hour from Sant’Antonio).

Then take the path that climbs to the right toward La Montata, 1638m, then reaches the two huts of Alpe Tecchiale, and climbs to the little Lancone chapel, 1739m. Further up, inside the larch forest, you reach the junction with the mule track to Colle Valdobbia, which you leave on the right. Then continue left along a good path in the larch forest that soon leads to Alpe Larecchio, 1895m (about 2 hours in total), a splendid and picturesque alpine pasture, which houses a farmhouse.

The origin of the name derives precisely from the many larch trees that surround the alp: one of these large trees stands on a large rock in the center of the basin, from which one can enjoy the special view of the wide plateau. Following the particular path of the small stream that crosses the alp, one can reach the charming little lake located a little higher up.

From the farm building, you can climb up to Pian del Celletto, at about 2100m (0.30-2.45 hours), where you will find the 201 trail leading to Ospizio Sottile again.

Leaving the village of Rimasco, just after the church of Santa Croce, cross the Egua stream and arrive at Sponde del Lago. Proceed as you enter a deciduous forest and in about 45 minutes you reach Pian della Ratta, 1140m, the arrival station of the chairlift and starting point of the fun summer bobsleigh, with the Alpe Campo Refuge.

Try the adrenaline-pumping fun bobsled on rails, ideal for a fun-filled day!

You cross the shelf keeping to the left and then climb up the edge of the Vecchia meadow to enter the woods and ascend it to come out in the vicinity of the Alpe Pianali hut, 1360m. You keep to the edge of the forest and shortly afterwards return, turning left, thus arriving at Alpe Campo, 1390m.

Wanting to continue the itinerary beyond the alp, turn right up the slope and reach a saddle on the slopes of Cima Castello. Following the ridge to the right to the summit of the hump, at Siunal, at an altitude of 1492m, you have a magnificent view of Monte Rosa, Tagliaferro and the entire Sermenza Valley.