In the footsteps of Sigerico, two days on the Via Francigena
In the past, the Via Francigena that led from Canterbury to Rome was used by thousands of pilgrims, while today it is one of the best-known cultural routes in Europe, guiding visitors along itineraries that are often unfamiliar, but rich in history and tradition, with hidden jewels of architecture. In the Canavese some stretches of the Via Francigena coincide with the Royal Turin Wine Trail, so it is not surprising that we stop off for a tasty “merenda sinoira” (combined snack and dinner) or lunch of traditional local produce, surrounded by Carema and Erbaluce vineyards.
| TYPE | Trekking bike |
| DIFFICULTY | @@@@ |
| TIME | 2 days |
| DISTANCE | about 96 km (48 first day + 48 second day) |
| TERRAIN | byroads, dirt roads |
| PLAN | small group with leader (at least 4 adults) |
| DATES |
Contact us for booking. |
| PRICE/PERSON |
220 Euros in double room 210 Euros in triple room 280 Euros single occupancy double room 100 Euros children 10/14 years old The price includes: 2 nights in a 3*Lux hotel, breakfast included, bike tour guide and assistance, 2 meals in traditional local restaurants, merenda sinoira (traditional combined snack and dinner). |
Day of arrival
You can arrive at Hotel Sirio whenever you want, the important thing is to give yourself plenty of time to have a good night’s sleep to be ready for the next day! If you have time, it’s worth getting here early: Hotel Sirio is the perfect place for those who love nature and good food. A walk around Lake Sirio or a stroll through the old town of Ivrea are the best way to get yourself into a holiday mood.
First day on bike
After going down into the town from Hotel Sirio and crossing the river Dora, we leave Ivrea heading towards Carema on the Royal Turin Wine Trail, which in this part is an easy ride on byroads through the country, to the bridge at Quincinetto. Here we join the Via Francigena as it descends from the Aosta Valley parallel to the main road, passing through the towns and villages at the foot of the steep rocky ridge that borders the valley: Airale, Settimo Vittone, Montestrutto and Borgofranco d’Ivrea. When we get to Montalto, from an easy dirt road we climb up a muletrack leading to the castle in the hills where chestnut woods are interposed with vineyards and clearings: we are in the Five Lakes area. After stopping off at the “terre ballerine” (shaking land) at the old peat bog of Lake Coniglio we reach the village of Chiaverano, where the beauty of the Romanesque site of Santo Stefano di Sessano will make up for the steep road we have to toil up to get there. A gratifying descent will lead us to Cascina Bedria for a well-deserved “merenda sinoira” (a real dinner but early) after which we return Ivrea on easy secondary roads.
Programma
@ ore 09,30 am meeting with the group and briefing
@ ore 10,00 am set off for the tour from hotel Sirio
@ ore 01,00 pm meal
@ ore 04,00 pm arrival at the “terre ballerine”
@ ore 05,00 pm merenda sinoira
@ ore 07,00 pm return to hotel Sirio
Second day on bike
From Hotel Sirio we go down towards Ivrea town centre and join the Via Francigena, that soon leaves the town heading east to become a pleasant dirt road which, skirting the Lake of Cascinette, crosses the Maresco di Burolo. From here we continue on an easy asphalted road to the Church of San Pietro e Paolo in Pessano (11.50 km covered). A scenic road crossing the hill halfway up takes us to Palazzo where, after passing through the old town, we continue on an easy off-road stretch that directs us towards the Gesiun (big church) among vineyards on dry stone terraces. We then pass Viverone and leave the pilgrims’ path to go down to the Lido where we join the cycle track and ride along the lake as far as Comuna. A short uphill stretch brings us to our well-deserved lunch at Morzano Farms (25 km covered). After lunch we set off again towards Masseria and, after climbing back up the hill, we pass Veneria to enter the Piana delle Logge, a lovely place that we ride along on a pleasant dirt road affording a beautiful view of the lake (30 km covered). Time to stop on the shore for a photo and then off again for Azeglio. From here we return to Ivrea on easy backroads that follow the Cavour Canal.
Programma
@ ore 10,00 am start of the tour from hotel Sirio
@ ore 12,30 am lunch at the agriturismo Tra Serra e Lago
@ ore 05,30 pm return to hotel Sirio
Price per person
in double room 220 Euros
in triple room (3 adults over 14 years old) 210 Euros
in single occupancy double room 280 Euros
for children up to the age of 14 in the same room as their parents 100 Euros
The price includes:
- bed and breakfast at Hotel Sirio 3*Lux
- guide and assistance for 2 days biking
- 2 meals in traditional local restaurants (2 courses, 1 glass of wine, water and coffee)
- merenda sinoira
Extra nights: in double room 42.50 Euros; in single occupancy double room 75.00 Euros
Half board supplement: 25 Euros (3 courses, drinks excluded)
Hotel Sirio facilities: car park, bike cleaning and garaging, Wi-Fi charge
Changes to the itinerary
While we intend to respect the programme shown, slight changes may be made due to organisational reasons or weather conditions, also on the spot.
Diets and special requests
At the time of booking, please state whether you are vegetarian, celiac or have any food allergies, etc. Last-minute requests will not be accepted. In the event of allergies and/or food intolerances we reserve the right to request a medical certificate. It is important for us to be informed of any health problems you may have, in order to best satisfy your needs. We will do our best to satisfy your needs, however we cannot guarantee for the variety of dishes.
Minimun compulsory equipment
〈 MTB bike with all parts in good working condition
〈 Water bottle or camelbak with personal water supply
〈 Helmet, glasses and gloves
〈 Backpack
What to bring…
It is always a good idea to dress in layers, preferably with breathable technical materials or cotton next to your skin. Don’t forget padded biking shorts and a K-way in case it rains.
Bring two pairs of shoes (one casual comfortable pair for daytime, and one for the evening or to always have a dry pair to change into), a headscarf or scarf to protect against the wind, sun protection cream, lip salve and insect repellent.
And last of all a camera to immortalise your experience in photos…
Bike and accessory hire
On request, bike@round can arrange for bike and helmet hire, see the catalogue for conditions.
For two days, a hire bike for an adult costs 60 Euros and for a child 40 Euros.
Insurance
Third party liability – included.
Optional healthcare and medical insurance – estimate upon request
How to book
1. After choosing your tour, download or ask our office for the technical sheet and general conditions of the contract and carefully read all parts of the documents.
2. Check availability by sending an e-mail to info@bikearound.it stating the tour desired, starting date, number of people (adults and children), number and type of rooms (double, triple, single/single occupancy double) and any extras required (more nights, half board supplement, bike hire, insurance).
3. bike@round will send you availability, an estimate and the period by which confirmation should be received. You should then fully complete the form and sign the contract, pay 25% of the total cost of the tour by bank transfer (stating name and surname of the group leader), send the form and receipt or Bank Operation Code of the payment to info@bikearound.it or by fax to +39 0125 421245.
4. The booking will be considered firm and the contract concluded only when bike@round sends confirmation by e-mail or by fax, attaching the contract form countersigned for acceptance.
5. The balance should be paid within no later than 20 days prior to the tour starting date. Please make a note in your diary, we won’t remind you. Then send us straight away the receipt or bank operation code of the bank transfer (stating the name and surname of the group leader).
6. bike@round will send you further information about your tour by e-mail or by fax.
If you should have any queries or requests, write to info@bikearound.it or call +39 0125 45174.
