CYCLING: RICE AND CASTLES
Bicycle
This route is easy and smooth and passes through typical areas such as the “Baraggia Nature Reserve" of Candelo, defined as the European Savannah, and the expanses of rice fields rich in birdlife. Along the way, we also come across four castles where it is worth stopping for a visit and a dip into the past. On a clear day, you can enjoy the view of the Biellese Alps and the beginning of the Serra moraine hill.
Departing from Biella's railway station, the route heads towards Candelo, where it is immediately imperative to stop for a visit to the ricetto, a medieval jewel perfectly preserved in its original structure. Its 'rue', the cobbled inner streets, are home to the eco-museum cell of wine growing and numerous craft workshops open at weekends. From Candelo we enter the Baraggia nature reserve, a truly fascinating natural environment, reminiscent of the African savannah, where it is possible to make excursions on foot or by mountain bike. In this context, we reach Castellengo, a rural village that requires another stop to visit the Castle and various producers’ cellars and farms where you can buy farm products (booking required) and, in fine weather, the cell of the Eco museum of Cossatese and Baragge. From Castellengo we head towards Mottalciata, into the rice fields: another of the many environments that characterise the Biella landscape, where, among other things, the only Italian rice that can boast the PDO denomination is produced.: Baraggia Biellese and Vercellese DOP rice. Pedalling through this flat area, you have plenty of time to look around and admire the rich birdlife that populates the rice fields. We continue in the direction of Castelletto Cervo, where, having crossed the ford over the Cervo stream, we come across the castle, now used as a venue for events, and the Cluniac priory dating back to the year 1000, which has recently undergone restoration and archaeological excavations and is now part of the Museum Network. We reach Buronzo and continue along the provincial road and then again, through the rice fields of Arro di Salussola hamlet, where it will be possible to shop at local producers’ rice mills. Here a splendid view opens up before us of the Biellese Alps and, to the west, the straight line of the Serra moraine hill. After crossing the SP143 at Salussola, we head towards Cerrione, where a diversion takes us to the Bessa Nature Reserve and the Tenuta Castello Golf Club with the ruins of the ancient Avogadro castle. The return to Biella is via Ponderano.
Km. | Location | Information |
0.0 | Biella - Start in front of Pizzeria Lucciola in P.zza Stazione direction south. | Parking at the Biella San Paolo railway station. Equipped for campers with loading and unloading facility. |
4.1 | Candelo - P.zza del Ricetto Continue towards Castellengo, Via Roma. | Medieval Candelo Ricetto, 14th century. Passage through the Baraggia Nature Reserve. Fountain. |
10.3 | Follow main road SP 307 to Mottalciata. | Variant for Castellengo Castle and the Eco museum of Castellengo. |
14.5 | Mottalciata - Straight ahead, crossroads, then SS 232 on the left. Then immediately turn right to Canton Juli. | Rice paddies and the possibility of spotting typical avifauna. |
16.7 | Castelletto Cervo | Once past the ford on the Cervo: variant for Castelletto Cervo Castle Expanse of rice fields. Typical birdlife. |
17.6 | To Buronzo |
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21.0 | Buronzo Continue on the S.P. 62 towards Vercelli-Santhià. | Panorama of the Biellese Alps and, to the west, the straight line of the Serra moraine hill. |
26.6 | Roundabout: to Carisio |
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29.1 | Roundabout: to Salussola-Arro | Expanse of rice fields. |
37.9 | Salussola Subway on the left for Salussola. Next roundabout to Vercelli. After Elvo Bridge. |
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38.3 | Right to Cerrione. | Fountain at the junction for Cerrione. |
42.6 | Cerrione | Uphill variant to Cerrione Castle and Bessa Nature Reserve. |
44.6 | Left to Ponderano-Biella. |
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53.0 | Biella - Right and then straight on. |
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54.5 | Biella - Arrival. | Arrival at Biella San Paolo railway station. Fountain in the Camper area. |
Location: Biella (Biella and Oropa Valley) - Cerrione, Salussola (Viverone, Serra and Bessa) - Cossato, Candelo, Mottalciata, Ponderano, Sandigliano, Castelletto Cervo (Baraggia and Plain)
Means of transport: Bicycle
Difficulty: Easy
Length(km): 54.5
Uphill height difference(m): 360
Travel time: 3 hours
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