ベナの天然記念物・トップ18

Must do, at least once, interesting place.

The climb is very tough but once you get to the top the sanctuary is beautiful.

Oropa is an important Catholic pilgrimage site in the Piedmont Alps, about 12 kilometers northwest of Biella, Italy. It lies in a picturesque valley at an altitude of approximately 1,159 meters. In brief: * Pilgrimage site: One of the most important Marian pilgrimage sites in the Alps, dedicated to the Black Madonna. * History: According to tradition, the pilgrimage dates back to Saint Eusebius in the 4th century. * Sacro Monte: The Holy Mountain of Oropa, with 12 chapels depicting the life of the Virgin Mary, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003. * Basilicas: Consists of the old basilica (17th century), where the Black Madonna is venerated, and the newer, larger Basilica Superior (20th century). * Nature and activities: Surrounded by mountains, it offers opportunities for hiking, trekking, and mountaineering. There is also a botanical garden and an adventure park. * UNESCO World Heritage Site: Recognized along with eight other "Sacri Monti" in the region for its religious, cultural, and scenic significance. Oropa is a place of spiritual significance, impressive architecture, and natural beauty, attracting many pilgrims and visitors annually.

The climb to the Sanctuary of Oropa from Biella is a Piedmont classic. It is about 13 km intense and constant, which do not allow respite with always challenging slopes. The iconic and hardest stretch is the last kilometer on the scenic pavé, made legendary by Pantani's feat in the Giro '99.

A rare beauty of erosion, a wild and solitary place a stone's throw from civilization, easily accessible by bike or on foot (about 2km) from the Sp Castelletto Cervo – Cossato.

Small and quiet lake where you can take 4 steps

I recommend it because there are some nice paths in the area, unfortunately the lake itself and the scenery are a bit ruined by large electric pylons.

The area of the Bessa Nature Reserve is approximately 8 kilometers long, with an average width of one kilometre. It is located between Biella and Ivrea, included in the municipalities of Borriana, Cerrione, Mongrando and Zubiena, on the orographic right of the Elvo stream. It is part of the Serra moraine, considered the largest in Europe. A lunar appearance, with large mounds placed together like desert dunes, made up of stones of various sizes. Between one pile and another, curtains of often impenetrable plants and bushes. This is the aspect that one perceives when entering the Bessa Nature Reserve for the first time, established in 1985. But the charm of Bessa also lies in its history. One thing is now certain. This entire large territory, almost ten square kilometers, has been entirely modified in its appearance by the work of thousands of men. These were the Ictimuli - or Vittimuli - who inhabited a large part of the Biella area over two thousand years ago. Led and exploited by the Romans between the 2nd and 1st centuries BC. they transformed the Bessa into one of the largest open-pit gold mines in the world. Traces of this immense work remain in the mounds, erected by piling up the stones discarded during the excavation. Source: https://www.atl.biella.it/localita-dettaglio/-/d/riserva-speciale-della-bes-1