A rather technical route, which puts both the ascent and the descent to the test. One of the few routes that develops entirely in the high mountains and that is suitable for mountain biking. On clear days, especially in autumn and spring, it offers spectacular views of the whole of Biellese and Canavese, as well as a fascinating view of the circle of the Alps.
Sense of travel:
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Technical data
- Duration: 2 h
- Distance: 16.9 km
- Gradient: 617 m
- Lowest point: 936 m
- Highest point: 1,509 m
- Stages: La Bossola (Netro) – Alpe Cavanna – La Bossola (Netro)
- Level: Difficult
- Agility period: April to October
- Presence of drinking water points: yes
- Presence of food shops: yes
- Suitable for children: no
To see
The "Roc d'jafe" and the legend of "goose-footed fairies"
On the dirt road that descends from the slopes of Mombarone to the Bossola di Netro (second part of the proposed itinerary), you will meet the panel indicating a small deviation on the right for the “Roc d’jafe“. Taking this path, a few meters further you reach a huge rock overlooking the valley. This place is at the center of an ancient legend born among the villages of the Upper Elvo Valley. It is said that a long time ago, a Celtic clan reached these places and settled there for a while. Initially the strangers befriended the inhabitants of Muzzano, revealing them that they were led by a fairy and also promising to teach them the method of extracting gold from the Elvo stream. Meanwhile, the men of Muzzano had been fascinated by the Nordic characters of the women, beautiful as faries and so different from the small and rough Muzzanese women, who obviously became very jealous. One evening, the inhabitants of Muzzano were invited to the mountains, to the camp of the strangers, to celebrate all together with food, bonfires and dances. It was during these frantic dances that one of the women spotted under the dress of the foreign women, long and yellow shoes, similar to palmed paws. Then, she began to shout, “The strangers have goose feet! Look at that!” The music stopped and all the women echoed, mocking the wives of the Celts. The Muzzanese left, unapologetically and contemplating returning later to force the strangers to reveal the secret to extracting the gold. When they returned to the mountains, they no longer found the foreigners, but in the cave that topped their camp they saw the beautiful fairy. With the intention of kidnapping her, the men approached her, but suddenly a huge snake spoke to them in front hissing and putting them on the run.
In 2009, this legend was the theme of a project carried out by the children of Netro primary school, who created a long and pleasant path that from the center of the village leads up to the Fairy Rock, with the accompaniment of numerous illustrative panels.
To visit
The Graglia Shrine
Already at the beginning of 1600, the Graglia area was chosen as the center of a major project that included the construction of a Sacred Mount with 100 chapels, which would unite the village (600 m above sea level) to the Colle San Carlo (1,200 m). In 1617 the Chapel of the Annunciation was built and inside was placed a wooden statue depicting our Lady Lauretana that immediately aroused an intense Marian devotion, recalling pilgrims every year. After several vicissitudes, in the mid-1700s work was completed to transform this chapel into a true Shrine, which could also accommodate pilgrims and becoming the center of the cult of Our Lady Lauretana in the area.
For more information, see: https://www.santuariodigraglia.com/
or contact the following numbers for times and guided tours:
Tel: + 39 015/442200
345/6432632
Itinerary directions
- Departure at the Bossola resort of Netro. Take the road of the “tracciolino” (SP512) to the left.
- Ignore a first indication for “Alpe Cavanna” and continue for about 5.5 km, even when the road becomes dirt.
- At the intersection, take the paved road that climbs steeply to the right, instead of continuing towards Andrate; follow the signs for “Rifugio Alpe Cavanna” (path B30).
- Pass the “La ca” and “Belvedere” agritourisms and always continue on the main road, which alternates dirt sections at times paved.
- You cross birch forests and you start to catch a glimpse of the top of Mount Mombarone; after about 4 km uphill, you reach the pasture and at the bottom is the Alpe Cavanna refuge.
- For the return, resume the previous road downhill and 600 m after take the dirt road that goes up to the left.
- The route remains halfway along the coast and touches some farmhouses (see “WARNING”!), then begin to descend and intersect another path.
- Continue straight, to the right, on the widest road; it descends steeply on a bumpy bottom for about 2 km.
- The road then becomes paved and a few meters later returns to the “tracciolino”; take the SP512 to the left and shortly after you return to the starting point.
Where to sleep
- Santuario di Graglia
- Chalet La Bossola
- Rifugio Alpe Cavanna
Other activities in the area
- Via Ferrata e canyoning dell’Infernone (Sordevolo)
Deltaplane and paragliding from San Giacomo di Andrate
Bike repair and rental
- Cicli Tessiore (Borgofranco d’Ivrea)
- Lovato (Camburzano)
Some important notes
1) The goal of my itineraries is to always return to the starting point (rings) and pedal as little as possible on the asphalt. However, when this is unavoidable, I mostly choose secondary and uncongested roads. In addition, I establish the starting point in a place where it is convenient to park the car.
2) I decided to divide the Biellese into 5 main areas, depending on the geomorphology of the territory, unlike how it results in topographic maps (North-Eastern, Northwestern, Central-Eastern, South-East and South-West).
3) I have referred to some routes as “Children’s Fit”, but of course it is the responsibility of each parent to determine whether an itinerary is suitable for their child’s abilities.
4) With “Period of agility”, in the description, I refer exclusively to the presence of snow on the path, therefore not considering other variables such as rain or the presence of mosquitoes. In the “Where to Sleep” boxes I wanted to propose some alternative solutions to the typical B&B or hotel, citing facilities such as mountain huts, hostels or campsites.
5) Before you leave for any tour, read the section “In practice”!