Montesinaro is a hamlet of Piedicavallo, at the head of the Cervo Valley. During the late 19th and the early part of the 20th century, this area provided stone materials (syenite) for the construction industry.
Located north of the Vercelli plain and 90 minutes by car from Milan (Malpensa) airport, the Cervo valley falls within an area of pre-alpine hills and mountains. The Cervo river feeds hydro-resources serving the regions’ textile industry and runs into the Vercelli plain - the ‘pianura vercellese’ - which gifts Piedmont its leading rice crop to this day.
The nearest provincial city is Biella, a university town that still retains strong industrial and historical links to the textile industry. The sports and fashion houses of Cerruti, Fila and Ermenegildo Zegna (in Trivero) were first established in the Biellese region.
Local attractions and things to do
Montesinaro offers the summer visitor many healthy opportunities including farm holidays, fishing in the Cervo, riding, rock climbing, cycling and many beautiful woodland and mountain walks.
• breathtaking views overlooking the beautifully wooded Cervo Valley and the Alps
• mountain paths lead to Monte Bo (2,556m) and via Piedicavallo to Gaby, in the Aosta Valley
• only 20mins by car to Bielmonte, (altitude 1500m) a local ski resort
• for the more adventurous, Aosta and the Gressoney valley is ~90 minutes by car.
The local sanctuary at San Giovanni d’Andorno was mentioned by the late nineteenth century European traveler, literary classicist and graphic artist Samuel Butler, in his 1881 work entitled “Alps and Sanctuaries.” Even today, such sanctuaries still provide their local communities with a place to recover, whilst retaining a cultural focus for those who enjoy the unspoilt alpine scenery or are simply looking for things to do.
• The sanctuary of Oropa and the cable car to mount Mucrone, with its hotel and mount Camino. From Camino mountain, there are walks into the Aosta region.
• Valleys of vineyards and lake Viverone; lakes Sirio and Bertignano, besides the nearby lakes of Orta and Maggiore.
• Close to the Aosta Valley (circa 80 minutes drive) with spectacular mountain ranges which include Mont Blanc, Matterhorn, Mount Rosa, also the Gran Paradiso National and the Champorcher Regional Parks.
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BIELLA AND THE BIELLESE
The Biellese region is a secret jewel unknown to mainstream tourists at the foot of the Italian Alps in the province of Biella in Piedmont.
The province of Biella is steeped in culture with free-to-roam mountain ranges, parks, nature reserves, vineyards, lakes, fast and slow-flowing rivers and streams, rice paddies, a lush woodland, rolling hills and a medieval heritage of castles and citadels, golf courses, shops, restaurants and trattorias.
The Biellese province ranges from 200 to 2500 m above sea level.
• To the south the Ligurian Riviera, circa 1 to 3 hours drive.
• The Oasi Zegna, a natural park, crossed by a scenic road, Panoramica Zegna and Bielmonte 1500 m above sea level; a local ski resort known locally as ‘a balcony over the world’ because of the breathtaking views.
• La Bessa a nature reserve set on the remains of an ancient Roman gold mining settlement. Gold panning is available in the nearby Elvo river.
• The mediaeval citadels of Ricetto and Masazza
