Pollone: Parco Burcina, Trails and Heritage

The historic Parco Burcina “Felice Piacenza” garden lies within the municipalities of Pollone and Biella. Other points of interest include named hiking trails, churches and places associated with Pier Giorgio Frassati. If you are looking for a hotel in Pollone, these different highlights can provide a framework for planning your days.

Parco Burcina: Entrance, Trails and Archaeological Traces

The main entrance to Parco Burcina is near Piazza San Rocco in Pollone. A large car park is available for visitors there. An unpaved, passable road runs from the entrance to the summit of the park. Numerous trails branch off from it, some of which are also accessible with a pushchair or wheelchair. This makes it possible to approach information about the park through both its main entrance and its various trails.

The garden’s character also includes its archaeological significance. Finds and a horseshoe-shaped dry-stone wall were discovered there in 1959. According to recent investigations, the wall is interpreted as a tomb from the Late Bronze Age, dated to the 13th century BC. The garden is therefore not only a destination for walks through the grounds, but also a place with a specifically identified archaeological history.

Hiking Trails with Different Planning Details

GTB Stage 21 starts at Piazza San Rocco by the entrance to the Burcina Nature Reserve, passes through the protected area and reaches Torre Martini. Its described route thus links a starting point in Pollone with a trail through the protected area and a named destination.

GTB Route 07 runs from Pollone to Zumaglia. This hiking route is listed as 20.5 kilometres long, with an approximate duration of seven hours and a difficulty level of “Hiking.” When planning, you can use these figures as specific guidance on the route’s length and the time required; the duration remains approximate.

A route to Monte Mucrone starts near the cemetery in Pollone. After tackling an elevation gain of 1,500 metres, it ends at an altitude of around 2,000 metres, not far from the summit. For this route, the elevation gain and final altitude are the key details, whereas GTB Route 07 is described in terms of its length and approximate duration. These details provide different ways to assess routes according to your planning needs.

Churches and Places Associated with Pier Giorgio Frassati

Pollone’s churches also reflect different aspects of local history. The facade of the Church of the Holy Trinity (SS. Trinità) features frescoes by the painter Lorenzo Delleani. A church dedicated to Saint Sebastian and Saint Fabian is considered the first church in Pollone. For visitors interested in art and local church history, a named work on a facade and the traditional identification of the oldest church offer two distinct points of interest.

The “Sui sentieri di Pier Giorgio” itinerary is divided into seven stages. Along the marked route, information panels provide details about the places and the life of Pier Giorgio Frassati. The Frassati family tomb is also located in Pollone cemetery, and was visited by Pope John Paul II. The circuit of Frassati sites can therefore be explored through its stages and information panels, as well as through the family tomb.

Villa Ametis remains the family’s home; it is not a museum or a public building. Visits are by appointment. If you would like to include the villa in your plans, bear in mind that visits must be arranged in advance. This clearly distinguishes the site from the publicly described trails and churches.

Getting There by Bus

Pollone and Parco Burcina can be reached from Biella by scheduled bus services. Check the timetable before travelling so you can include the bus connection in your day’s plans.

Discover more destinations: Lessona, Vigliano Biellese, Campiglia Cervo, Bellaria, Caprile, Torrazzo, Portula, Solesio.

For the wider travel overview: Biella.