AMONG THE VINEYARDS AND STORKS ON MONTE FENERA – Be prepared for a singular adventure full of surprises, a route through unspoilt woods and fields that have been passionately and wisely cultivated so as to yield wine that is “nectar of the gods”. Mount Fenera is a natural reserve which protects the vast chestnut forests, abundant fauna such as rare storks and roe deer, and age-old cultivations between Val Sesia and Lake Orta.

SUSPENDED BETWEEN TWO WORLDS

And that is not all. Mount Fenera is also host to some of the most fascinating grottoes in the area. Like the Buca di Bondaccia, Bondaccia’s Hole, at an altitude of 690 metres above sea level, developing over about 400 metres with internal altitude changes of up to 85 metres, or also the Arenarie cave at an altitude of 770 metres above sea level, developing over 3000 metres at a maximum depth of 150 metres.

DARK CAVES

It is so-called as it opens up into the sandy area of Mount Fenera to plunge down, about 10 metres from the entrance, into narrow and not so narrow tunnels, galleries and wells, in a maze of passages made up of splendid concretions. From the top of Mount Fenera you can admire Monte Rosa, overlooking the little village of Alagna, the plains of the provinces of Novara and Vercelli with their vineyards and an infinite number of rice fields.

Our suggested itinerary here is quite a difficult one, particularly the first part where in some places it may be necessary to dismount and push the bikes. The point of departure is Maggiora, a pretty little town built in red brick, with a wealth of excellent wine cellars. You can leave the car near the motocross centre and take the “Enduro” S1 track which gently leads through thick woods.

GREAT CYCLING TERRAIN

The good solid earth track is broad. The track goes up gently for about 2 km, almost without noticing the slope, but after a signposted junction where you go right, the path suddenly gets narrower and starts to get steeper. The chalky earth breaks up and can easily get muddy and large clumps do not help an already tough task. If your legs are not good and fit and you may not stay in the saddle, so at certain points over about 200 metres you might have to get off and push, but don’t give up, your efforts will be rewarded by what awaits you.

FUN BENDS

A bit further on, the track evens out and slides away in enjoyable bends sloping both up and down. The view will soon start to open up and at your back you will be able to admire Lake Orta. Once you have passed the hill called Motto Ciafera, you reach a hilltop and a crossroads near the San Bernardo Oratory; he is the patron saint of mountaineers and mountain dwellers. Built in 1600, it is made of stone and has an open apse in front and stone seating. This little oratory is the soul of this journey and an excellent point for observation: if you go up another 200 metres though, you will be able to enjoy all the Fenera natural park’s beauty.

THE MEETING OF 5 WAYS

Here 5 different paths cross, one of which is ours. For those wishing to make the route longer with a diversion, from here you can get to the villages Maretti and Castagnola, where you will also find drinking water. When you have got back to the crossroads, follow the number 777 path, single file in single track mode going downhill, which then joins the S1 track again until it reaches Motto della Capretta, where you get all-round views of the area. From here the route continues downhill, keeping to the number 777 path, on a fairly difficult part, but nothing that will make you abandon your saddle, but be careful of the surface made smooth by water.

UNIQUE SINGLE TRACKS

Marco, il nostro compagno di viaggio, e il suo singletrack preciso e divertito ci guida fino alla fine del sentiero che sbuca sulla strada asfaltata Fenera-Boca e uno scenario del tutto diverso ci sorprende con meraviglia: filari e filari di vite preziosa e casotti storici in mattone rosso. In questa area di sosta, in una caldera vulcanica rovesciata a causa dello smottamento dei terreni, sorge una delle zone più preziose per la coltivazione di vitigni autoctoni.

IF YOU WISH SAY A PRAYER

Marco, our guide and companion while we mapped out this route, and his trusty singletrack, took us to the end of the track which comes out on the tarmac Fenera-Boca road and a completely different setting, which took us quite by surprise, as it will you too: row upon row of fine vines and ancient red brick houses. At this stop-off point, thanks to landslides over the ages, in an upside-down volcanic crater, you can see one of the richest areas for the cultivation of autochthonous grapes.

UNIQUE VINEYARDS IN A MINERAL BASIN

Going downhill along the tarmac road Is  the well-known Santuario di Boca, which for centuries has been the destination of pilgrims from all over Piedmont and further afield. Just before the Sanctuary is a little bridge and a dirt track which enters among the rows of vines. Here, in the area around Cavallirio, we met Silvia, a young and passionate wine-maker, who told us her story of this age-old land and how each day she takes care of her beloved vines which yield excellent wine, appreciated all over the world.

It is easy to join the Boca track again which leads back to the village and follows the hillside covered in vines, leading back to Maggiora and then back to the point of departure. Do take some time to explore this area which is rich in both terms of nature and wine and food, as well as culturally. Book a visit to the welcoming wine cellars of the area for refreshment and to meet some of the wonderful people who are preserving and bringing this gorgeous territory to life.

AMONG THE VINEYARDS AND STORKS ON MONTE FENERA

TYPES OF ROAD
Singletrack – 4.74 km
Path: 9.91 km
Bike path: 0 km
Minor road: 1.21 km
Asphalt road: 4.03 km

SURFACES
Natural: 7.64 km
Unpaved: 4.68 km
Dirt road: 1.77 km
Paved area: 1.99 km
Asphalt: 3.29 km
Unknown: 146 m

EXPLORE THE TERRITORY BY FOLLOWING OUR ADVICE