The itineraries that the Valsessera division of CAI (the Italian Alpine Club) proposes are not particularly difficult from a technical point of view and can be changed by the hiker as required and depending on the weather, as long as he follows the trails marked out in the area using the maps: Route Map - North-Eastern and Central-Western Biella Region, Biella Province, 2004 edition (1:25000); Guide to the hiking trails of the Valsesia, sheets 6°/A, 6°/B del C.A.I. Varallo.
Refuges and Alpine shelters ("Baite"):
The “Monte Barone” refuge in Ponasca (1610 m.) of CAI Valsessera, can be reached from the Piane di Coggiola with trail marker G1 and G8 in 2 hours.
The premises consist of a living-room and a dormitory for about 20 people. Calendar: June - July and September every weekend, August every day with refreshment service. A separate premise next to the refuge is always open.
For information: tel. +39 328 2181617 ; +39 348 8743500.
Baita “Cascinetta” (m. 1276) of the GS Genzianella of Coggiola Viera - Alpe Cascinetta, can be reached in 2 hours from the di Coggiola with trail marker G1. Always open.
Baita “Ranzola” (m. 1188) of the Valsessera CAI - Alpe Ranzola, can be reached from The Piane di Coggiola in 1 hour with trail marker G1.
The Piedmont Region – Forest Rangers’ Barracks in Ciota, can be reached in 45 minutes from the Piane di Coggiola with trail marker G1.
Note:
E = Excursionists - easy itineraries on fairy comfortable foot-paths.
EE = Expert Excursionists - itineraries that owing to their length and/or difficulty as an exposed foot-path or as a foot-path that crosses over rocks, which even though they are fairly easy, require a certain degree of experience.
The Valsessera is an environment that lends itself to trips on a mountain-bike due to the varied routes that satisfy the most varying demands of sportsmen and also because of the peacefulness of the many places, far from residential areas and surrounded by nature.
There are many opportunities to practice this sport and certain resorts like the Alpe di Noveis are becoming equipped with signposts to answer the growing demand for this sport.
The “Valli della Fede” routes (see page 24) can be travelled even on a mountain bike, through wide stretches which are very good for cycling, and through other stretches where you come across single track sections, which are also very difficult: the less expert biker must be satisfied with climbing off the bike and covering the ground on foot. As a result you can have even more fun by competing to see how many kilometres you can do by bike in the most fascinating free-ride.
