Admire an unforgettable sunrise from the top of Mount Bo, the highest peak in the Cervo Valley.

Access and parking

From Biella, it is 18 kilometres to Piedicavallo along the SP100 provincial road. Leaving the ring road to the left, you enter the village and immediately turn right towards the hamlet of Montesinaro (1032 m). When you reach the first small square, drive along the carriage road and reach the square in front of the cemetery, continue and park at the end of the asphalt where there is an opening.

Route

At 2,556m, the Bo summit is quite far from other higher peaks, so the view in all directions is vast. The spectacle of dawn, to admire from this summit, is very popular and the Bivacco Antoniotti, erected a few metres below the summit, offers the possibility of spending the night waiting for the sun to rise. The ascent to the summit is an easy route, but the final stretch, from Piazza d'Armi to the summit, requires the ability to walk over rough and steep terrain. Beware of possible snow in spring.

From the car park, do not take private road, closed off by a bar. Proceed to the left along a meadow crossed by a steep path. You will soon reach a dirt track and then, guided by abundant signs, take the mule track branching off to the right following the hydrographic right side of the valley. First through the woods, then on open ground, the itinerary continues in the direction of Colle del Croso until it reaches a fork at an altitude of about 1900 m, where itinerary E74 for Cima di Bo branches off to the right (2.20 hours). You immediately gain height with some bends, climbing up the steep slope of Punta Rusca for a stretch and then, moving gradually on the flat towards the right, you reach Alpe Giasit (1920 m) (0.15 hours, total 2.35 hours). Start climbing again and, along a winding path, climb up a long, rather steep grassy slope. After crossing a gully, turn right and you will reach Alpe Balmone (2177 m), the highest mountain pasture in the Biella Alps, leaning against a large boulder and long since abandoned (0.40 hours, total 3.15 hours). The path, which is always well signposted with numerous stone cairns, continues into the centre of the valley and, after passing a few rocky steps, reaches the so-called Piazza d'Armi, a large rocky basin in the shape of an amphitheatre. Aim for the col that separates the Cima di Bo (on the right) from the Talamone peak and reach it walking between large boulders and along snowfields that are a little steep at the end (2460 m approx. 1.00 hours, total 4.15 hours). From the collar, the path climbs a first steep section on the right-hand side of the ridge, then reaches it, goes over it slightly and continues near the edge with an aerial but safe path to the summit (2556 m) (0.15 hours, tot. 4.30 hours from Montesinaro). Just below the summit, on the opposite side of the crest, is the unattended Padre Mauro Antoniotti bivouac, which sleeps 12.

Return along the ascent route.

An average trained walker can cover the itinerary in a day. For a more complete experience, we recommend an overnight stay at the summit bivouac. Get water from the springs in the Piazza d'Armi; there are no springs near the bivouac neither is gas available.

References

Passeggiate sulle montagne del Biellese di Corrado Martiner Testa - Blu edizioni