Donato: Mountain Biking, Hiking and Places of Remembrance

Donato is particularly well suited to mountain biking. Within just a few kilometres, routes lead through the forests of the Serra to gentle mountain slopes; from there, the view stretches across the plain below, from Turin to Novara. Forests, mountain slopes and sweeping views shape the landscape. The routes described offer different details to help you plan your rides: difficulty, distance, elevation gain and surface.

Mountain Bike Routes Through the Serra

The Blue Trail follows the Donato–Piane–Gre–Ceresito–Donato route. It is highly difficult, 19.7 kilometres long and climbs approximately 800 metres. Its distance, difficulty and elevation gain give you concrete details to help assess the route.

The Donato–Oropa Trail runs between Andrate and Oropa along the “Tracciolino,” a road that is partly unpaved and partly paved. Take both types of surface into account when planning if you choose this route. Road surfaces and trail conditions may change. The routes recommended by the municipality are fully signposted on site; nevertheless, check the local signage before setting out.

On Foot to Alpe Cavanna and Mombarone

From Donato, you can reach the Pian Bres–Alpe Cavanna trail on foot by following the marked signs. It takes about an hour through beech and birch forest to reach the Alpe Cavanna pastures. Treat this time as an approximate guide, since trail conditions may also change.

Another hike leads from Alpe Cavanna to Colma di Mombarone. The trail climbs 1,191 metres, from 1,180 to 2,371 metres. It follows a ridge and passes Lake Pasei; gentians and daffodils may bloom there in spring. The details to consider therefore differ: the trail to the pastures has an approximate duration, while the hike to Colma di Mombarone is described in terms of elevation and its ridge route.

Fountains, a Memorial Site and the History of Emigration

There are more than 40 fountains and around ten wash basins in Donato and its hamlets. These historic features add traces of everyday life in the municipality to its nature and route highlights.

The Area Monumentale di Lace was created around the restored ruins of a partisan headquarters destroyed in 1945. It is located in a scenic spot on the Costa di Lace. The site is particularly suitable for guided visits by schools and organised groups; arranging a visit may require prior coordination locally.

Another thematic highlight is the Centro di documentazione sull’emigrazione in Donato. Family archives are researched there, and memories are collected from residents, families and emigrants from the Valle Elvo e Serra. While the Area Monumentale di Lace is a specific historic memorial site, the documentation centre focuses on family archives and the memories of people from this area.

Planning Your Stay

Donato lies on a stage of the Cammino di Oropa della Serra. On this stage, Donato has bars, mini-markets, restaurants and accommodation. Individual businesses and services may change; check which options are available for your travel dates. If you are looking for a hotel, the routes and historic sites can shape the focus of your stay, though not every outing has the same duration or elevation profile.

Discover more destinations: Sala Biellese, Cerrione, Candelo, Bioglio, Torazza, Bielmonte, Zimone, Villa Del Bosco.

For the broader travel overview: Biella.