The Inclusive Oropa Way
We believe that the Way experience should be extended to as many people as possible. That is why when we designed the itinerary of Oropa Way - Serra route we paid special attention to people with disabilities, but without neglecting other categories of people with special needs, such as those traveling with their dogs or those traveling together with their children.
Here we give you some general pointers and recommendations, but it is always important when planning a trip to take into account the specific needs of the individual traveler, not generalizing their needs.
Hikers visually impaired or blind
The route was designed with special attention to people with low vision or blindness. There are no sections on busy roads, we favored cart tracks and roads that allow two people to walk together, and we tried to avoid exposed sections, or those with stones and roots that would make walking difficult.
In addition, all over the Way we have applied yellow and black markers since these colors are best suited to be seen by visually impaired people.
People who are blind or visually impaired may still walk the route only if accompanied.
In 2018, the Movimento Lento Association tested the Oropa Way together with Giulia Oblach and Luca Casella, two blind people. The experience was very helpful in revising the route to make it more accessible for people who are blind or visually impaired.
In 2019, the Movimento Lento Association organized the Oropa Way with a group of sighted, visually impaired and blind people who walked together guiding each other.
Hikers with reduced mobility
For people with reduced mobility who need to use a wheelchair, the Oropa Way - Serra route is not feasible since it is a very bumpy route in places. On the other hand, the Cycling itinerary - Serra route route can be tackled by wheelchairs with electric traction suitable for off-road use and possibly with rear-wheel drive, because given the gradients, in some cases more than 10 percent, other wheelchairs may not be adequate.
Instead, the walking path can be walked by people with mobility disabilities using the Joelette, taking care to take the tramway variant on the last leg and avoiding the D1 trail.
As for people with cognitive disabilities, if accompanied, they will not encounter problems along the Way as the route does not include particularly exposed sections or along busy roads.
Fill out this form, and the girls in the Reservation Center will direct you to the right facilities for your needs.
Hikers with dogs
Those who decide to undertake the Oropa Waywith their dog will be able to find one or more dog-friendly accommodation at each stage. The stages are short and for most of the route you walk in the shade on a dirt surface, thus avoiding the problem of burning the fingertips of our 4-legged friends.
If the dogs are polite and obedient it is possible to let them loose for long stretches, however it is always a good idea to tie them up both near stables and mountain pastures to avoid scaring the animals and in wooded sections, especially if the dog has a strong hunting instinct, as various wild animals are present.
Families on the Way
Families with children who decide to take the Oropa Way - Serra route are on the rise.
Before embarking on any kind of walk with children of any age, it is good to make a point: the outcome of the experience will depend on the training and walking habit the children have, so we advise all parents to approach the walk in stages and with training.
This is a safe route in which there are no particularly dangerous or exposed sections. As far as mobility with a stroller is concerned, with a trekking stroller it is possible to safely travel the entire first and second stages and part of the third stage up to Cossavella Pond. At that point the route of the Cycling itinerary - Serra route crosses and we recommend taking the cycling itinerary and following the Tracciolino to get to Oropa.
"We look forward to this journey because every time we set out we discover the wonders of the area, in all aspects: naturalistic, gastronomic, historical. With all the senses.
At the same time, our story intrigues local communities, accommodation, and other pilgrims. We are an itinerant testimony that allows those who are not familiar with low vision to learn what the potential is beyond the inevitable difficulties in our daily lives.
The Oropa Way is suitable for those who want to discover an area in a slow way, surrounded by greenery and the rhythm of steps."
Every year Noisy Vision organizes trips with blind and visually impaired people along the Oropa Way, the Via degli Dei, and other Italian paths.
"We look forward to this journey because every time we set out we discover the wonders of the area, in all aspects: naturalistic, gastronomic, historical. With all the senses.
At the same time, our story intrigues local communities, accommodation, and other pilgrims. We are an itinerant testimony that allows those who are not familiar with low vision to learn what the potential is beyond the inevitable difficulties in our daily lives.
The Oropa Way is suitable for those who want to discover an area in a slow way, surrounded by greenery and the rhythm of steps."
Every year Noisy Vision organizes trips with blind and visually impaired people along the Oropa Way, the Via degli Dei, and other Italian paths.
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.