Prealps of Biella and Valsessera Highlands

The Valsessera highlands are strongly marked by the glacial phenomena of the past. The Valsessera lowlands instead are formed from flood soils that have developed into a narrow flat strip on which the towns of Coggiola, Pray and Crepacuore stand.

The areas of Valle Mosso and the Biella Hills comprise a first mountain zone, which essentially consists of the higher part of the Sessera stream's basin, characterised by alternating shrubbery: one with beech trees and chestnut groves, while the hill proper is where the chestnut absolutely prevails, and where still today forestry management is practiced.

The particularly interesting zones are the Zegna Oasis between Trivero and the Cervo Valley, destination of sports activities and excursions, where alpine pasture activities are still alive, along with forestry operations, and is cut across by the famed Zegna Panorama, a true and proper terrace overlooking the Biella plains.

The pastures and alpine huts of the Valsessera highlands were characterised in the past by the "tiles" of the roofs of huts covered with rye hay. The meadows and pastures are the frameworks around the inhabited villages, often built on the mountain crests.
The farming activities practiced today are related to the wool and cheese industries that have boosted the settlement and road works systems.

Of note is the system of sanctuaries that have today undertaken a joint project called "The Paths of Faith: with the sanctuaries of" Madonna delle Grazie in Banchette near Pettinengo, S. Anna del Mazzucco in Camandona, Madonna di Loreto and Santuario del Rossiglione in Portula, Madonna delle Nevi in Cavallero (Coggiola), Madonna della Fontana in Crevacuore, Santuario della Brugarola in Ailoche and the system of mansions with parks located midway on the hills, in sunlit sites.

Privileged points of observation identified in the PAYS.DOC “ Good practices for the landscape” created by a virtual observatory of the Mediterranean landscape.