6 Day Walking Holiday on the way of Oropa in Northern Italy

Embark on a four-day journey along the Serra Route of the Cammino di Oropa, the most scenic and popular path to the famous Santuario di Oropa. Starting in the town of Santhià on the Piedmont plains, this guided adventure leads you through rolling hills, medieval villages, peaceful woodland trails, and panoramic viewpoints across the Po Valley.

Throughout the walk, you’ll explore historic ricetti (fortified villages), follow ancient mule tracks, and enjoy the tranquillity of quiet forest paths. Friendly local communities and authentic northern Italian landscapes add warmth and charm to each day’s experience.

Your journey concludes with a final ascent into the foothills of the Biellese Alps, where the majestic Santuario di Oropa awaits — a stunning sanctuary set in a secluded alpine valley. With manageable daily distances, rich cultural highlights, and unforgettable scenery, this tour offers a beautiful and fulfilling introduction to the Cammino di Oropa.

• Loss of deposit applies for cancellations made 6 weeks or more in advance.
• Cancellation fee of 40% applies for cancellations made less than 41 days in advance.
• Cancellation fee of 80% applies for cancellations made less than 4 weeks in advance.
• Cancellation fee of 100% applies for cancellations made less than 2 weeks in advance, or in case of no-show.

Santhià is the starting point for the Cammino di Oropa. We will be staying here this evening in a hotel.

Walk Santhia to Roppolo - 16.5Km - easy

Stage Overview

This opening stage is gentle, scenic, and suitable for all walkers. It guides you from the broad agricultural plains of Piedmont into the softly rising hills of the Ivrea Morainic Amphitheatre. The walk is easy underfoot, with a mix of farmland, rice fields, and a gradual shift into woodland and charming rural villages.

Route Notes

Setting out from Santhià, you follow the historic Via Francigena across flat countryside that slowly begins to undulate as you near Cavaglià. The early part of the route is quite open, so on warm days it’s important to bring sun protection and plenty of water. Two shaded rest areas with drinking fountains provide welcome spots to pause and cool off.

Beyond Cavaglià, the scenery becomes more varied as the trail leads through peaceful woodland and leafy stretches. The stage concludes in the hilltop village of Roppolo, marked by its striking castle. From this vantage point, you’ll enjoy wonderful views across the surrounding countryside and the tranquil waters of Lake Viverone.

Walk Roppolo to Sala Biellese – 17.4Km – moderate

Stage Overview

This second stage carries you into the wooded slopes of the Serra d’Ivrea, a defining feature of Europe’s largest morainic amphitheatre. It’s a day filled with atmospheric forests, layers of local history, and a series of beautifully preserved medieval villages.

Route Notes

The day begins with a visit to the Ricetto di Viverone, an exceptional fortified hamlet that rewards walkers with expansive views over Lake Viverone and the surrounding morainic landscape. From here, the trail rises gently towards Zimone before continuing to the Monastery of Bose, home to the ecumenical community established by Enzo Bianchi. A short walk further brings you to Magnano, where another impressive medieval ricetto invites exploration. Beyond the village, quiet woodland paths guide you all the way to Torrazzo.

Stage Overview

This stage is both scenic and more physically demanding, guiding you from the quiet woodlands of the Serra Morena towards the rising alpine foothills. Along the way you’ll enjoy a serene lakeside stop, a few steeper climbs and descents, and a memorable finish at the Sanctuary of Graglia.

Route Notes

Begin from the Future is Nature campsite or B&B Il Raglio by following the paved road back into the centre of Sala Biellese. At the parish church, turn left onto the provincial road towards Torrazzo, leaving it shortly after to join a woodland path on the right. This peaceful trail leads you through tranquil forest and eventually brings you to the beautiful Lake Cossavella — an ideal place to pause and take in the surroundings.

Beyond the Serra Morena, the path continues towards the village of Donato, where you’ll find drinking water, a bar, and small shops to replenish supplies before tackling the more challenging stretch ahead. The final approach to Graglia involves several steep ascents and descents as the trail winds up the slopes of Mombarone, culminating at the impressive Sanctuary of Graglia, which overlooks the natural border between Piedmont and the Aosta Valley.

Moderate to difficult walk approx. 10km, elevation gain 314m, walking time approx. approx. 4+hrs. (If you suffer with Vertigo this walk may not suit you.)

This is probably the most popular walk on Madeira. There are many routes up Pico Ruivo do Paul da Serra (1861m), the highest mountain in Madeira. This is one of the most challenging (so be prepared). The route runs from Pico do Arieiro (Madeira’s third highest mountain, at 1818m) to Pico Ruivo. Near Pico Ruivo you will walk through one of the oldest heather forests in existence. When you reach the Pico Ruivo, the views are incredible all around you. We make our back to Achada do Teixeira where transport will bring you back.

Walk Sanctuary of Graglia to Sanctuary of Oropa – 14.8KM – Challenging.

Stage Overview

The final stage of the Serra route is both the toughest and the most spectacular. It carries you from the slopes of Mombarone through a mix of forest trails and high mountain pastures, offering wide-ranging views across the Po Valley. The journey concludes at the magnificent Santuario di Oropa in the Biellese Alps — a truly memorable end to the route.

Route Notes

The stage begins with a traverse along the flank of Mombarone before descending steeply on an old mule track to cross the Elvo River. From here, a steady climb leads to the historic village of Sordevolo. Beyond the village, the trail becomes more demanding, winding through woodland and open pasture with superb panoramic views as you make your way towards Favaro.

The final push follows the D1 path — a challenging ascent that rewards you at every turn — ultimately arriving at the atmospheric Santuario di Oropa. Nestled in a secluded Alpine valley, this remarkable sanctuary provides a fitting and unforgettable finale to your journey. Collect your Certifcate of the Cammino Di Oropa.

 This morning we take a transfer back to Milan in time to catch our flight.