One of the things I love most about trekking and mountain walks is the fact that nature becomes the absolute protagonist, especially when the snow muffles all the other noises.
Even in winter I do not give up this pleasure, especially when a pair of snowshoes and snowshoes are enough to go to pristine places.
Today I want to talk to you about the snowshoe excursions that you can do around Biella, my hometown, and in particular in the Zegna Oasis of Bielmonte.
BIELMONTE – ARGIMONIA
Tour length 4 Km
Difficulty: medium
The route starts from the village of Bielmonte and climbs along the ski slopes of the southern slope of the ski resort (always taking care not to step on the groomed slopes). During the climb the show that presents itself is something truly unique, in fact it dominates the Po Valley, and you can see the cities of Turin and Milan, if done at night the show is even more suggestive as the lights of the valley leave the snowshoes without words. Once on the top, the spectacle that presents itself becomes even more suggestive, on one side the plain with its cities, towards north the Monte Rosa with its snowy peaks. The descent to Bielmonte can be made either from the side from which you climbed, to continue enjoying the spectacle of the plain, or for the more experienced, you can go down passing through the pine forest, where the only runners that you feel are the our footsteps on the snow and the wind that moves these conifers. The whole route is made in fresh snow not beaten except by the snowshoeers who preceded us. The journey time varies depending on the training, for non-expert snowshoeers the ride takes about 2 hours.
PIAZZALE 1 – PIAZZALE 2 – MARCHETTA
Tour length 5 Km
Difficulty: easy
A very easy route suitable for anyone who wants to try snowshoes for the first time. After a first part of the path without snowshoes you have feet, we arrive at the new path that connects the two squares of Bielmonte, at the entrance of the path, we put snowshoes on our feet and start our tour. The first part between the two squares is very flat and beaten, therefore suitable for everyone. Arriving at the riding school of Bielmonte, we have two possibilities, the first easier, follows a beaten path that takes us to the top of the hut from which we can admire the high valley, the second most demanding (however very feasible), consists of climbing along a track not always beaten towards the top of the hustler. The return to Bielmonte is always done by the route from which we arrived. Duration of the tour about 1.5 – 2 hours
BOCCHETTO SESSERA – MONTUCCIA
Tour length about 8 Km
Difficulty: medium
It is a very varied route that presents quite demanding climbs and descents, the very suggestive landscape alternates beechwood passages with panoramas of the Alta Valsessera, showing us the true face of our mountains. The arrival in Montuccia after about two hours shows us the wonders of the area, in fact on our arrival we can admire the beautiful Artignaga, the valley seen from above and in the distance the green camping, accessible in the summer, another typical place in the area.
Enjoy your walk!