From the Oropa Sanctuary to Lago del Mucrone: the blue heart of the Biella Alps

You start from a UNESCO-listed sanctuary and reach a glacial lake set below Monte Mucrone: at Oropa the autumn walk is all here, beech woods below, rock and water above, and the plain visible as far as Turin on clear days.

The route

From the Oropa Sanctuary square we take the trail climbing through beech woods, leaves turning from yellow to copper in October. In a good two hours we leave the trees and reach Lago del Mucrone, 1,894 m, with the Rosazza hut on its shore.

Lunch at the lake, packed or at the hut if open, then down the same trail with time, at the end, for a look inside the basilica.

Who it's for

• anyone who wants a real alpine lake an hour and a half from Milan
• anyone after October beech colours
• dog owners

Good to know

The Oropa–Mucrone cable car is closed for overhaul with no reopening date: we walk up and down. Hut opening to be checked the week before. The Sanctuary car park is free and large.

Getting there

The Oropa Sanctuary is an hour and forty from Milan: A4 to Carisio, then Biella and the Oropa road. Free, large sanctuary car park. Car pooling in the outing's Telegram group.