Oropa Way - Oriental route
Walking itineraries
Oropa Way - Oriental route
A challenging and fascinating path
The Oropa Way - Eastern route is the most technical and challenging of the routes leading to Oropa. It is more like a trekking route than a walk and especially the route is closed from November 1 until April 30 because it may be snowy or icy. Even in May, inquire at the reception facilities about the condition of the route before you leave.
It can be traveled in the two directions: starting from Valle Mosso, crossing the Cervo Valley and finally reaching the Sanctuary of Oropa, or it can be considered a continuation of the journey for those who arrive at Oropa after traveling either the Serra route or the Canavese route.
It can be split into 3 stages by the most trained or by those who travel it from Oropa in the direction of Valle Mosso, or into 4 short stages that "cushion" the more than 1,000-meter difference in elevation to reach Bocchetto Sessera by those who instead travel it in the direction of Oropa.
The itinerary is also available on theSlowBI app, which can be downloaded for free from the stores.
34.3 km
Divided into 3 or 4 short, but challenging, stages.
Fully signposted
The Way has very accurate signposting in the direction of Oropa.
Difficulty: challenging
Significant elevation differences and more
technical than the Serra route and the Canavese route.
Organized accommodation
Discounted accommodation and restaurants at all stopover places, bars and fountains along the route.
Reachable by public transportation
You arrive by bus at departure, return by bus+train from arrival.
Orientation with App
The official app works even without internet coverage.
Discover the stages
Vallemosso to Oropa
Variant
Oropa to Vallemosso
Variant
How to get there
Valle Mosso can be reached starting from Biella by Atap bus line 300. For info: www.atapspa.it
You can leave your car near Biella San Paolo station, from where you take line 300 to Valle Mosso.
Caselle to Vallemosso:
- Bus (line 268) to Turin PS + Train to Biella (with change in Santhià) + bus (line 300) to Vallemosso (about 4h20′)
Malpensa to Vallemosso:
- Bus or train to Milan C.le + Train to Cossato (with change in Novara) + bus (line 300) to Vallemosso (about 3h 40′)
Orio al Serio to Vallemosso:
- Bus to Milan C.le + Train to Cossato (with change in Novara) + bus (line 300) to Vallemosso (about 4h20′)
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.
You can purchase a return train+bus ticket directly from the Trenitalia website www.trenitalia.com indicating "Oropa Sanctuary" as the departure station.
Vallemosso is also connected to the Biella San Paolo train station by a city bus, which leaves about every hour. Tickets can be purchased at the SperumAnBen Tobacconist Shop at Via Roma, 6 in Vallemosso (open daily 06:30-12:30, 14:30-19:30 and Sunday 08:30-12, 14:30-18:30). Hours 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.
On the way back from Oropa to Santhià you can rent a bike or an E-bike. Contact the Booking 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
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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.