Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ
This page is dedicated to frequently asked questions about the Oropa Walks. Here you will find all the useful information to better prepare for your journey.
If you have specific questions, we suggest you open a chat with VaLentina, the virtual assistant dedicated to walkers: thanks to the use of artificial intelligence, she will be able to answer most of your questions directly, and for those she cannot answer, she will direct you to contact the Oropa Walk team, who will reply to you by email.
General information about the Oropa Trail
The Way of Oropa is a network of four hiking routes and three cycle paths that run through the Biella, Canavese and Aosta Valley and lead to the Sanctuary of Oropa, the largest Marian shrine in the Alps.
The various routes pass through territories rich in history and natural beauty and are suitable for hikers with varying degrees of fitness.
There are four hiking routes:
- Serra Oropa Trail: connects Santhià to the Sanctuary of Oropa, is about 65 km long and can be walked in 3 or 4 stages. It is particularly suitable for those who are new to walking in stages, but it is also very beautiful and fun for the more experienced
- Canavesano Oropa Trail: starts from Valperga and arrives in Oropa after about 85 km, divided into 5 stages. It is a longer and more challenging route than the Serra Trail.
- Eastern Oropa Trail: a shorter route, about 33 km in 3 stages, with more challenging technical features, making it similar to a mountain trekking route.
- Valdostan Oropa Trail: connects Fontainemore to Oropa via a mountain trail about 16.7 km long, to be walked in 2 stages. This path requires excellent physical training.
The ideal season depends on the route chosen:
- The Serra Trail and Canavesano can be walked year-round, paying attention to snow conditions during winter.
- The Eastern Trail and the Valdostan Trail, which run along mountain paths, are only passable in the warm season.
All routes of the Oropa Trail have light signage, that is, stickers attached to road posts, wooden posts and other supports, and yellow paint markers.
Detailed information on signage can be found on this page.
The four pedestrian routes cannot be traveled by bicycle, but it is possible to get to Oropa Sanctuary by bicycle along the Oropa Cycle Routes. These are loop routes along secondary paved roads and short sections of simple dirt roads. All the information here.
The official guidebook of the Oropa Way, published by Terre di Mezzo, is now available: you can purchase it online by clicking on this link, alternatively you can purchase it in bookstores or at the hostel in Santhià.
Yes, the official App of the Cammino di Oropa is called SlowBi: in the section "Itineraries by stages" you can access the route of the Cammino di Oropa and a selection of long-distance routes throughout the country.
Thanks to the App, you can easily find your way around even without signposts: the interactive map allows you to view your location on the route using the device's GPS.
The App works even without an internet connection: maps and tracks can be preloaded, avoiding roaming costs.
For more information and to download the app visit this page.
In general, phone coverage is good along most routes. However, since these are routes surrounded by nature, there are some sections where the signal may be weak or absent, especially in mountainous areas.
In particular, along the Camino Oriental and the Camino Valdostano, coverage may be less reliable in some places. If you plan to walk them, it is advisable to notify someone of your itinerary and download offline maps before you leave.
The Oropa Walks can easily be walked by a single woman, the areas you pass through are very quiet, and you are often near a village.
The Serra path during the good season is quite busy and the phone coverage is quite good. The other paths, however, are less frequented and there may be little phone coverage at times.
Certamente. Lungo le tappe del Cammino di Oropa della Serra sono presenti le seguenti strutture che offrono la piazzola per la tenda:
- Viverone:
- Sala Biellese: Future is Nature convenzionato SlowCard
- Santuario di Graglia: Area camping del Santuario convenzionato SlowCard
If you are traveling with children, we recommend choosing the Serra Oropa Trail, which is less strenuous than the other routes. Along this path generally children over 10 years old, if they are used to long walks, have no particular problems.
If they are on their first stage walk we recommend the first two stages, which are less demanding.
Along the Serra Trail and the Eastern Trail, accommodation can be found for all group participants at each stage, but sometimes it may be necessary to divide the group into several facilities. Along the Canavesano and Valdostano Trails due to the limited number of beds in the stages, a large group may have more difficulty finding accommodations.
If you are an organized group (e.g., a Tour Operator, an Association, a parish, etc...) on the "Organize your trip" page, select the dedicated item to contact the Oropa Walk Team who will help you better organize your walk.
The pedestrian route of the Oropa Trail is unfortunately not accessible with wheelchairs, the bottom is often uneven, partly on a path, there are several sections with high slopes various obstacles.
The bike route is mostly on asphalt or lightly surfaced dirt roads, and is generally accessible with an all-terrain wheelchair but only if it has electric traction. We have never done any real testing, so inspections on the most critical sections would be appropriate. The main problem is the steep inclines of some sections, which can be as steep as 12% on paved surfaces.
As for the accommodation facilities, we recommend that you inquire in advance about the characteristics of the rooms to find the most suitable accommodation for your needs.
Yes, all accommodation have a dedicated area for doing laundry (which may correspond with the facility's bathroom) and an area for hanging laundry.
It is advisable to notify the restaurant, a few days in advance, of dietary needs so that the menu can be agreed upon. Breakfasts, where they are included in the overnight stay, should also be notified.
No, it is not possible to cook at the host facilities, but cold food purchased in advance from convenience stores or supermarkets along the route can be consumed. Some facilities have a micro-wave oven for use by wayfarers to heat meals: if you have this need, you are advised to contact the managers to ascertain this possibility.
Preparation and equipment
It depends on the route. The Serra Trail is the most accessible even for those with little experience, while the other routes have more challenging sections and require good physical training. Even for the Serra Trail, if you are not used to walking for several consecutive days, it is still advisable to do some training outings before setting off.
A 35-45 liter backpack with a backpack cover is recommended. As for shoes, they should be hiking or trail running shoes, broken-in and suitable for the season; in wet seasons, waterproof Goretex shoes are recommended, preferably high but lightweight boots. Other essentials are a water bottle or water bag (1-2 liters), telescoping poles, sunscreen, insect repellent, power bank, headlamp.
The practical mini-guide for walkers, which is given as a free gift to those who purchase the SlowCard, provides a complete list of what to bring with you.
Yes, tracks are available for download on the site at each individual stage of each route, on the stage detail page in the upper right corner.
No, the credential is not mandatory to walk the Oropa Trail. However, it allows you to obtain the Testimonium at the end of the journey and is a concrete way to support the Oropa Trail financially.
By purchasing the SlowCard you can pick up the credential for free.
Each of the Oropa Walks has a different pickup point. On this page you can reserve your credential and find out where you can pick it up on the first day of the walk.
No, there is no credential shipment.
You will find stamps for your credential in every accommodation in which you will be staying and in participating restaurants. You can also find directions to other stamping locations on this page.
Logistics and services
Accommodation options along the route include hostels, guesthouses, B&Bs, and small hotel lodges. It is always best to book in advance, especially during peak season.
To book overnight stays you can choose to use the automatic reservation system of the Oropa Walk, which will allow you to find the cheapest and most suitable solution for your needs in a few minutes: find out how it works at this link.
Yes, you will find drinking fountains or springs at many points. The mini-guide that comes with the SlowCard lists all the drinking fountains along the route. Also, you can find this information in the official guidebook of the Oropa Trail published by Terre di Mezzo.
In almost every town there are cafes/minimarkets, bakeries in which to buy packed lunches and/or restaurants. Beware of opening hours, as some of them close for lunch breaks.
There are restaurants in the vicinity of the reception facilities. It is always necessary to make reservations in advance.
You can find the complete list of restaurants on this page.
With SlowCard you will be entitled to 10% discount at participating restaurants along the route.
Most restaurants and establishments along the Camino accept ATM and credit cards, but not all of them-we recommend that you inquire in advance and bring a supply of cash with you.
There are only a few, so we recommend that you carry a stash of cash with you.
Yes, luggage transportation along the Serra, Canavesano and Oriental Oropa Trail is operated by local NCC operators. However, the service is cost-effective only for groups of at least 6 people. For more details and contact information, we suggest you visit the services along the walk page.
For the Valdostan Oropa Trail, as it is an itinerary along mountain trails, there is no luggage transport service.
Yes, several NCCs in the area perform this service: for more details and contact information, we suggest you visit the page dedicated to services along the way.
You can leave your car near the Santhià train station, along Viale della Vittoria, where there are several free parking lots. A private covered parking lot is also available, which charges discounted rates to Way of Oropa walkers. For more details and contacts, we suggest you visit the page dedicated to services along the walk.
Depending on the season, it is possible to spot wild animals such as roe deer, squirrels or jackrabbits, and an encounter with wild boar is also rare but not to be ruled out. The path also passes near pastures, populated by the Pezzata Rossa di Oropa, the typical cow of the area, guarded by shepherd dogs: take this into account if you are traveling with your dog.
Yes, you can bring your dog with you: each stage has at least one facility that accepts dogs. We recommend that you book in advance to find availability.
If you use the automatic accommodation booking system, when requesting a quote you can indicate that you are traveling with a dog and the system will find the most suitable solutions to accommodate you: find out how it works at this link.
Dogs are allowed on public transportation; however, we recommend that you consult the travel conditions found at the following link: https://www.atapspa.it/regolamento-trasporto-e-tariffe/ where you will find all the details.
The SlowCard
The SlowCard is a digital card that allows walkers to financially support the Oropa Trail, use the automatic reservation system, and take advantage of discounts and benefits. Find out more at this link.
SlowCard offers you these exclusive benefits:
- Access to the automatic reservation system for the most affordable accommodations at each stage
- 10% discount at all affiliated accommodations and restaurants.
- 20 percent discount at the Slow Movement House in Roppolo;
- Credential kit + complimentary gadgets;
- Practical Guide for Wayfarers, to be loaded on the smartphone.
By purchasing the SlowCard you can support the management, promotion and maintenance of the Oropa Trail.
If you purchase SlowCard you can make reservations in two ways:
- Leave it to us and we will book you the most affordable accommodations.: enter the departure date, choose the type of accommodation, view the quote in real time. You can confirm the quote by purchasing the SlowCard: within 24 hours you receive confirmation of availability and prices, receive the detailed schedule of your trip with contact details of each accommodation, pay the manager upon arrival at the accommodation.
- Receive the list of accommodations and book wherever you want: by purchasing the SlowCard you receive the list of accommodations that you can contact by email or phone, book independently and still get the 10% discount by showing the SlowCard.
The SlowCard is sold in two denominations: 1 week and 1 year. The 1-week SlowCard is activated by the wayfarer by entering the date of departure and is sufficient to walk each of the four Oropa trails. The 1-year term is recommended for those who plan to walk the routes more than once within 12 months, or enjoy a staycation at one of the affiliated facilities and take advantage of the discounts.
The SlowCard is purchased during the booking process, on the Oropa Walk website, in the Organize Your Trip section.
No, the walk is open to everyone, but the SlowCard offers many practical and economic benefits and is critical to ensuring the economic sustainability of the Oropa Trail.
The cost of SlowCard depends on its duration. It is currently available in two formats:
- Weekly duration starting from your first day of walking, which allows you to get the benefits for a week's travel: €27
- Annual duration: if you plan to travel more than one route during the year and take advantage of year-round benefits and discounts: €47
After purchase, you will need to activate it through a specific link, which you will receive by email as soon as you confirm the quote. In case you did not receive the email, check the SPAM section.
If one or more facilities are not available:
- You will receive a list of other options, contracted and not, with contacts to book independently.
- You may also use the SlowCard at another time or request a refund.
Yes, each SlowCard must be associated with each individual member of the group.
You can purchase multiple SlowCards for a group without having to enter the names of each person, the names should be entered when activating the Card.
Each SlowCard entitles the holder to exclusive discounts.
Yes, each participant must purchase a SlowCard to benefit from the reservation services and support the Walk project.
Dedicated discounts are available for organized groups (Tour Operators, Associations, Parishes, etc...).
Certainly, if you purchased the SlowCard and in the process of booking did not find room for your travel dates, you can decide whether to keep it and activate it on another date, or request a refund of the full amount of the card.
Any cancellations or changes to the reservation should be handled directly with the accommodations. If the reservation was made through the automated system, you will find the contacts of the booked accommodations in the summary file that you will have received by email after confirmation.
If you have confirmed your quote request by purchasing the SlowCard, you will receive an email confirming your reservation within 24 hours. In the text of the email is the link to activate the SlowCard. You can activate it immediately and indicate the departure date of your trip as the activation date. Once activated you will receive the pdf file of your SlowCard.
The SlowCard is a virtual card; it will arrive via email once you fill out the form to activate it. You can show it directly from your smartphone or print it out for convenience.
To be sure of finding accommodation along the way, we recommend making reservations in advance, especially if you plan your trip for the spring season, when the path is busiest.
However, it is always possible to purchase SlowCard, even in the days just before departure.
Yes, you can change the activation date of your SlowCard.
- If you have already booked accommodations, you will need to contact the facilities directly to check availability and change your arrival date.
- To update the SlowCard activation date, contact the Oropa Walk team, who will help you make the change.
Sì, per i bambini sotto ai 7 anni la SlowCard è gratuita.
OROPA WAY - SERRA ROUTE
From Santhià to Oropa
The route is 65 km long, which can be covered in 3 or 4 stages.
The route of the Serra Trail of Oropa is also ideal for those tackling a stage walk for the first time. The difficulty gradually increases: the first stage is mostly flat, while the second and third stages climb the moraine hill of the Serra. The last stage is the most challenging, with a greater elevation gain.
Two variations are available along the last stage:
- Tramway, an easier but less scenic option; in the final stretch you have to travel about 1 km along the provincial road to Oropa, which is very busy on holidays.
- The D1 trail goes through beautiful forests, but it is steeper and more strenuous. This trail is not recommended in heavy rain, as it has some fords that may be difficult to cross.
The Serra Oropa Trail runs mainly on dirt cart tracks, with a few short stretches on paved roads with little traffic. The first stage crosses the plain between Santhià and Roppolo and is the sunniest; the second and third stages cross the forests of the Serra Morenica of Ivrea; for the last stage, if you choose the Tramvia variant you will walk a stretch of about 1km on asphalt road, while the D1 variant is a hiking trail.
The Serra Oropa Trail starts from the Santhià train station, which is easily reached by train from Milan and Turin.
For more details on how to get to Santhià you can consult this page.
Oropa Sanctuary is connected to Biella San Paolo train station by a city bus, which departs about every 2 hours. Tickets can be purchased at the Oropa Sanctuary reception desk, at tobacconists along the route, or directly through the Trenitalia App, selecting "Oropa Santuario" as the departure station.
Please note: All schedules may be subject to change, therefore, we recommend viewing www.atapspa.it and/or contacting ATAP at 800912716 (Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.).
On the return trip from Oropa to Santhià you can rent a muscle or pedal-assisted bicycle via this link, choosing to return along a very pleasant route that follows the Oropa Ciclovia.
For more details on how to get to Santhià you can consult this page.
On the website of the local transportation company: Atap, you can find the schedules you are looking for: https://www.atapspa.it
Atap toll-free number: 800912716 (Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.).
In addition, bus schedules can be viewed directly on the Trenitalia website or App by selecting Oropa as the station of departure.
On Trenitalia's website you can find the schedules you are looking for: https://www.trenitalia.com/it
At tobacconists' shops along the Way (found in Santhià and Cavaglià) or at the Guesthouse of the Sanctuary of Oropa.
It is also possible to purchase a bus ticket directly on Trenitalia's website or App, selecting Oropa as the station of departure.
It is not possible to use public transportation to move from one stage to another because there are few connections and they generally go to Biella, not from one village to another.
In case of need, we recommend contacting local NCCs.
OROPA WAY - CANAVESE ROUTE
From Valperga to Oropa
The route is 85 km long, which can be covered in 5 stages.
The Oropa Canavesano Trail has relatively challenging elevation changes and involves crossing more "wild" sections than the Serra Trail; in addition, signage is not accurate so it is recommended for hikers with a good level of training and used to mountain trails.
There are few water points along the way, so it is important to leave well equipped with a sufficient supply to get through the day without hydration problems.
The path begins in Valperga, a town that can be reached by bus from Ivrea or Turin. For more details on how to get to Valperga you can consult this page.
The return trip from Oropa to Valperga is unfortunately quite long: from the Sanctuary it is necessary to reach Biella station by bus, and continue by train to Rivarolo Canavese, changing at Santhià and Torino P. Susa. From there one continues by bus to Valperga.
Alternatively, you can rent a muscle or pedal-assisted bicycle through this link, choosing to return along a very pleasant route that follows the Oropa Canavesana Ciclovia.
For more details on how to get to Valperga you can consult this page.
OROPA WAY - EASTERN ROUTE
From Vallemosso to Oropa
The route is 33 km long, which can be covered in 3 stages. One stage can be added by taking the variant route to the Heath Sanctuary.
The Eastern Trail is a rather technical route, characterized by significant elevation changes. For this reason, it is recommended for experienced and well-trained hikers who are used to challenging mountain trails.
Due to the nature of the trail and the climatic conditions in the area, the path is safe to walk from May to October.
The town of Valle Mosso is served by local public transport line 300, making it possible to reach the path without necessarily using a private vehicle.
For more details on how to get to Vallemosso you can consult this page.
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. Valle Mosso is also connected to Biella S. Paolo Train Station by a city bus, which leaves about every hour.
For more details on how to get to Vallemosso you can consult this page.
PATH OF OROPA VALDOSTAN
From Fontainemore to Oropa
The route is 16.7 km long, divided into 2 stages.
The Valdostan Oropa Trail is a high mountain route characterized by steep elevation changes, so it is suitable for experienced hikers who are well prepared for challenging sections.
The trail is in mountainous areas and crosses the Barma Pass (2453m): therefore, it is only possible to walk the path in the summer months, after the snow has melted. It is recommended to contact the Barma Refuge before setting out to make sure the trail is passable.
To reach Fontainemore, it is possible to take a bus from the Pont-Saint-Martin train station, using the line between Pont-Saint-Martin and Gressoney.
For more details on how to get to Fontainemore you can consult this page.
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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.