Oropa Way - Serra route
Walking itineraries
Oropa Way - Serra route
An inclusive path
The Serra Trail is the most popular itinerary. Spread over 4 stages of increasing difficulty, it is an ideal journey for novice walkers but enjoyable and fun for experts as well.
We recommend walking it in 3 days only to those who are well trained and already experienced in long walks, and we absolutely advise against walking it in two days.
Once you arrive at Oropa Sanctuary you can continue your journey for 3 more stops along the Eastern Path.
Editor's note: Trail D1, which connects Favaro to the Oropa Sanctuary, is temporarily off-limits due to disruptions on the route caused by rainfall. We recommend taking the Tramway variant available on SlowBI, the official App of the Trail.
An inclusive path
The Serra Trail is the most popular itinerary. Spread over 4 stages of increasing difficulty, it is an ideal journey for novice walkers but enjoyable and fun for experts as well.
We recommend walking it in 3 days only to those who are well trained and already experienced in long walks, and we absolutely advise against walking it in two days.
Once you arrive at Oropa Sanctuary you can continue your journey for 3 more stops along the Eastern Path.
Editor's note: Trail D1, which connects Favaro to the Oropa Sanctuary, is temporarily off-limits due to disruptions on the route caused by rainfall. We recommend taking the Tramway variant available on SlowBI, the official App of the Trail.
65.1 km
Divided into stages with increasing elevation gain and difficulty.
Fully signposted
The Way has very accurate signposting in the direction of Oropa.
Difficulty: medium
Easier in the 4-stage version, suitable for the more experienced when covered in 3 stages.
Organized accommodation
Discounted accommodation and restaurants at all stopover places, bars and fountains along the route.
Reachable by public transportation
You arrive by train at departure, return by bus+train from arrival.
Orientation with App
The official app works even without internet coverage.
Read the detailsof thestages and download thetracks gpx
4 stages
16.5 km - easy
17.4 km - average
15.7 km - average
14.8 km - challenging
3 stages
25.9 km - challenging
20.6 km - challenging
14.8 km - challenging
The signage e the App
The route has extensive signage, but we still recommend that you download the SlowBi app to better orient yourself.
How to get there
Santhià is on the Milan-Turin railway line, there are trains every hour arriving from Milan Central Station in 1h05′ and from Turin Porta Susa in 30′. The Oropa Way starts from the train station. Info and schedule: www.trenitalia.it
The Flixbus stop in Santhià is located near the A4 highway tollbooth, from here you can easily reach the Oropa Way. Info and schedule at www.flixbus.it.
Santhià is located on the A4 Milan-Turin highway, an hour's drive from Milan, 30′ from Turin. You can leave your car near the Santhià train station, where there are several free parking lots, and retrieve it on your return.
Malpensa to Santhià:
- Flixbus from both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 to Santhià highway exit (1h15′)
- Train with change at Milan Centrale and arrival at Santhià station (2h45′)
Orio al Serio to Santhià:
- Flixbus to Santhià highway exit (2h15′) - 3 connections per day
- Bus to Milan Centrale + train to Santhià (2h 30′ plus change time)
Caselle to Santhià:
- Bus to Turin Porta Susa + train to Santhià (about 1h20 plus change time)
Staging posts and some intermediate locations are connected to Biella by ATAP buses, schedules and information at www.atapspa.it.
Please note: generally only the Oropa Sanctuary-Biella connection operates on Sundays, not the connections to the Way stage places.
The Sanctuary of Oropa is connected to Biella San Paolo train station by a city bus, which leaves about every 2 hours. Tickets can be purchased at the Sanctuary's reception desk. Schedules and information at www.atapspa.it.
Biella station is connected to Santhià by a direct train that leaves about every 2 hours and to Milan by a train with a change in Novara.
You can purchase a return train+bus ticket directly from the Trenitalia website www.trenitalia.com indicating "Oropa Sanctuary" as the departure station.
Alternatively, you can rent a muscle or pedal-assisted bicycle. Contact the Reservation Center for more information.
HikerTips
How to appreciate the Oropa Way every season
During the hot season the first stage can be a bit more strenuous than you might think for mileage and elevation gain because it is largely in the sun. Also, there can be a lot of mosquitoes in the Serra forest, so on the second and third stages we recommend that you carry repellent to keep them away.
Useful Info
Plan your trip
APP AND OFFICIAL GUIDE
The signposting of the Way
CREDENTIAL AND TESTIMONIUM
Our progress is slow but deliberate.
We are a social cooperative-tour operator, a network of individuals and associations in Italy and around the world. Our story began in the late 1990s, when a handful of people began to question the meaning of mass tourism. Traveling and getting to know projects related to fair trade gave birth to the idea of starting a social enterprise that would disrupt the paradigms of tourism and work in direct contact with the civil society of the places visited, with people and associations directly involved in development projects.