Easy Hikes in Biella: 3 Scenic Trails for Everyone

Are you looking for easy hikes in the Biella region to unplug and immerse yourself in nature without too much effort? The Biella area offers an extraordinary landscape, ranging from peaceful lakes to the pristine woods of the Cervo Valley, up to the pastures of the Elvo Valley. In this guide, I have selected 3 of my favorite walks, perfect for those seeking simple, relaxing hiking trails rich in history.

San Grato (Sordevolo) to La Trappa Loop

StartSordevolo (San Grato)
Distance7,74 km
Elevation gain348 m
Walking time3 h 30 min
DifficultyEasy (E)
Highest point1229 m a.s.l.

Where it starts: From Biella, head to Occhieppo Inferiore and Occhieppo Superiore, then continue towards Sordevolo. Carry on through Sordevolo, ignore the turning for Verdobbio/Pollone and keep climbing the main road (the road to San Grato). At the Prera–San Grato fork, take the San Grato branch. Park along the road after the bend behind the church. About 25 minutes from Biella.

This is absolutely one of the most fascinating easy hikes in Biella. Starting from the church of San Grato in Sordevolo, you will enter a mixed forest offering breathtaking views of the plains, the Serra morainic amphitheater, and the Sanctuary of Graglia.

The trail guides you past well-kept farmhouses, pastures, and babbling streams (like the Solasca stream), until you emerge in front of an architectural jewel nestled in the mountains: La Trappa. This imposing 18th-century stone building, originally a textile mill and later inhabited by Trappist monks fleeing the French Revolution, is a magical place where time seems to stand still.

The return journey, slightly downhill along the Tracciolino road and Pian Paris, completes a perfect loop for those who love combining nature with local history.


Viverone Loop: Vineyards, Lake, and Farmhouses

StartParish Church of Viverone
Distance4,66 km
Elevation gain82 m
Walking time2 h
DifficultyEasy (E)
Highest point390 m a.s.l.

Where it starts: From Biella, head to Cavaglià and at the roundabout with the horse turn right, following signs for Viverone and/or Ivrea. Stay on the road as far as the roundabout with the large blue Viverone lettering and take the first exit. At the next roundabout, where the old washhouse used to be, go straight on and after about 80 metres turn left, avoiding the road to Rolle. This brings you to Viverone's parish church, where you can leave the car in the car park in front of it. 35 minutes from Biella.

If you prefer a lakeside atmosphere, this route is ideal. Starting from the church of Viverone, we venture into an itinerary that blends history with relaxing landscapes. You will discover the Ricetto di Rolle (or Viverone), an ancient 15th-century defensive structure of which a crenellated tower survives, before joining an incredibly scenic dirt road.

From here, the view stretches from the snow-capped Alps all the way to the lake. This trail is a true stress-reliever: you will walk through a quiet, uncrowded area, passing through vineyards, meticulously kept olive groves, and ancient Piedmontese farmhouses like Cascina Tizzone. The return takes place on a section of the Via Francigena, completing a rewarding loop suitable for anyone.


Campiglia Cervo, Sassaia, and Piaro Loop

StartCampiglia Cervo (car park at the end of the village)
Distance3,73 km
Elevation gain209 m
Walking time2 h 30 min
DifficultyEasy (E)
Highest point992 m a.s.l.

Where it starts: From Biella, cross the “Ponte Cervo” at Chiavazza and follow the SP100 as far as Campiglia Cervo. Leave the car in the car park at the far end of the village. 20 minutes from Biella.

The Cervo Valley is a territory that must be explored on foot to understand its true essence. This “orange loop” is an easy walk connecting Campiglia to two splendid historic hamlets. You will ascend gently on perfect, ancient mule tracks, a testament to the incredible skill of local stone artisans.

The trail takes you to Sassaia, a true jewel of mountain architecture made up of small squares, washhouses, and syenite fountains, before crossing beech woods to reach Piaro. It is an almost entirely shaded walk, perfect for summer Sundays. You will feel like you have taken a step back in time, admiring restored votive pillars and monumental trees, breathing in the most authentic soul of the Biella region.

All 22 walks in the Biella region

The three walks described above are taken from the guidebook «Easy Hikes Around Biella», which collects 22 of them grouped by area: Valle Elvo, Valle Oropa, Valle Cervo, the Bessa and the Serra, the Biella hills and Lake Viverone. This is the full list, with distance, elevation gain, walking time and difficulty for each. Route and area names are kept in Italian, as they appear on the trail signs.

RouteAreaDistanceElevation gainWalking time
Anello da Sordevolo alle SalvineValle Elvo9,96 km574 m5 h 30 min
Anello da San Grato di Sordevolo alla TrappaValle Elvo7,74 km348 m3 h 30 min
Anello da Sordevolo al Santuario di GragliaValle Elvo11,35 km527 m5 h 30 min
Anello da Graglia al Monte RotondoValle Elvo5,93 km149 m2 h 30 min
Anello da Donato LaceValle Elvo5,15 km145 m2 h
Anello da NetroValle Elvo4,62 km139 m1 h 40 min
Anello da Occhieppo Sup.re alla CammuzzagliaValle Elvo6,86 km180 m2 h 30 min
Anello dalle Cave del FavaroValle Oropa9,18 km306 m3 h
Anello da Oropa all’Alpone InferioreValle Oropa7,32 km184 m3 h
Anello da Momproso all’Alpe FalcineValle Oropa4,09 km262 m2 h
Anello da Campiglia Cervo a Sassaia e PiaroValle Cervo3,73 km209 m2 h 30 min
Passeggiata da Forgnengo a FienbelloValle Cervo7,10 km201 m2 h 30 min – 3 h 30 min
Anello da Case Falletti alle cascine della SciuraValle Cervo5,14 km256 m2 h 30 min
Anello in BessaBessa e Serra6,80 km99 m2 h 30 min
Anello da Torrazzo a MagnanoBessa e Serra15,94 km278 m6 h
Semianello da Torrazzo alla Cascina MalataBessa e Serra9,56 km141 m3 h 15 min
Semianello dalla Broglina a S. Stefano di SessanoBessa e Serra12,47 km373 m5 h
Anello da Ronco Biellese al Brich di ZumagliaColline Biellesi5,16 km234 m2 h 15 min
Anello da Ronco Biellese al Castello di ValdengoColline Biellesi7,96 km159 m3 h
Anello da Zumaglia a Villa Piazzo di PettinengoColline Biellesi6,08 km219 m3 h
Anello da Viverone tra vigneti, lago e cascineLago di Viverone4,66 km82 m2 h
Anello da Cavaglià a MorzanoLago di Viverone7,73 km66 m2 h 45 min
Cover of the guidebook "Easy Hikes Around Biella" by Marcella Boggio Viola

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Hiking in Biella

Scroll to Top