Donato: Mountain Trails, Panoramas and History

Donato is a destination for travellers who want to combine mountain landscapes, outdoor activity and local history. The municipal area is particularly suited to mountain biking. Over just a few kilometres, the routes from Donato pass through the forests of the Serra to the gentle mountain slopes. From the mountain slopes, views extend across the plain below, from Turin to Novara. In this way, sporting trails and expansive landscapes meet a place with tangible traces of its past.

Routes for Different Levels of Ability

The Blue Trail, the Donato–Piane–Gre–Ceresito–Donato route, is highly difficult. It is 19.7 kilometres long and climbs approximately 800 metres in elevation. The circuit is therefore aimed at anyone looking for a challenging mountain-biking route.

The Donato–Oropa Trail runs between Andrate and Oropa via the “Tracciolino”, a road that is partly unpaved and partly asphalted. The Pian Bres–Alpe Cavanna trail can be reached on foot from Donato by following marked trail signs and leads through beech and birch forest to the Alpe Cavanna pastures in about an hour.

The Alpe Cavanna–Colma di Mombarone trail requires greater stamina. It climbs 1,191 metres in elevation, from 1,180 m to 2,371 m. Along a ridge, the route passes gentians and daffodils blooming in spring and goes by Pasei Lake. The routes proposed by the municipality are fully signposted on site. Information about difficulty, length, walking time and elevation gain helps you assess which tour is right for your own day of travel.

Fountains, Wash Troughs and Remembrance

There is also plenty to discover in the village itself. Donato and its hamlets have more than 40 fountains and around ten wash troughs. These features are a visible part of the local townscape and make walks through Donato an opportunity to notice smaller historical details.

The Area Monumentale di Lace was created around the restored ruins of a partisan headquarters destroyed in 1945. It is located in a panoramic position at Costa di Lace and is particularly suitable for guided visits by schools and organised groups.

Another way to explore the area's past is the Centro di documentazione sull’emigrazione in Donato. It researches family archives and collects the memories of the residents, families and emigrants of Valle Elvo e Serra. As a result, personal stories of the region take their place alongside its landscapes and trails.

Orientation for Your Stay

At this stage of the Cammino di Oropa della Serra, Donato has bars, mini-markets, restaurants and accommodation options. This is particularly relevant when planning a stage with an overnight stay. In addition, educational activities may take place in Donato throughout the year. Depending on your focus, your stay can therefore be combined with mountain biking, hiking, a guided visit or an exploration of local history and remembrance.

Other Places in the Travel Area

Caprile, Roppolo, Masserano, Andorno Cacciorna, Sala Biellese, Sordevolo, Biella, Castellengo

Back to the main travel overview: Biella.