Upper Piedmont is the ideal destination for those looking for outdoor experiences for the whole family at this time of year. From horse riding to the thrill of adventure parks, water fun and close encounters with animals, every activity becomes an opportunity for play, discovery and relaxation. This is an area that captivates young and old alike, offering days filled with wonder.
BETWEEN WATER AND LAND: ADVENTURE PARKS FOR LITTLE EXPLORERS
Close to Lake Orta, Adventure Park Le Pigne is located in the heart of a beautiful forest of chestnut, oak and fir trees. Open all year round thanks to a favourable microclimate and constant sunshine, the park offers trails for all levels, from those designed for younger children, such as the fuchsia zip line and the green trail, to adrenaline-fuelled trails such as the red trail and the brown zip line, which offers an exciting flight to the viewing platform. Tibetan and Nepalese bridges, walkways, lianas and barrels suspended between the trees make every activity a fun challenge to tackle together.
On Lake Maggiore, in Baveno, stands the Aquadventure Park, the first adventure park on the shores of the lake, in a spectacular setting framed by the Borromean Islands and the profile of Mottarone. Here, water and land become the protagonists of a unique experience, where every activity is designed to entertain young and old alike. The atmosphere is that of a real outdoor entertainment village, where every corner offers a new adventure: you can climb suspended bridges, jump on acrojumps, cycle through the trees on bike cross trails or launch yourself down breathtaking slides. But the Aquadventure Park is not just an adventure park: in summer, the equipped beaches along the lake offer a space for relaxation and recreation for the whole family.
FAST AS THE WIND: FUN BOB AND BREATHTAKING DESCENTS
In Valsesia, the fun picks up speed with the Fun Bob in Pian della Ratta, which can be reached by chairlift or on foot, for an experience that combines adrenaline and nature in a unique setting. The two-seater chairlift departs from the Ca’ Abate car park, located about 800 metres from the square in Rimasco, and takes you directly to the Fun Bob departure station in a few minutes. For those who prefer to walk, the footpath starts from the Il Laghetto Restaurant Campsite and crosses the woods for 45 minutes. Once at the top, the descent begins: an exciting route that speeds through meadows, woods and spectacular views.
In the Biella area, the Oasi Zegna offers equally intense thrills with the Rolba Run, a rail-mounted bobsleigh that hurtles down the mountain slopes at full speed. The departure point is Monte Marca, which can be reached by a vintage-style single-seater chairlift. Once at the top, the bobsleigh descent along the track offers an exciting and safe ride, perfect for adults and children alike.
FACE TO FACE WITH ANIMALS: HORSE RIDING AND SAFARI PARK
Along mountain trails, through woods and plains, Valsesia is the ideal destination for a family-friendly horse riding experience. In the saddle, you set off together to discover unique landscapes, including picturesque villages, rice fields and slopes that stretch to the foot of Monte Rosa. There are many options on offer: from riding lessons led by qualified instructors to walks through mountain pastures and woods, to longer adventures, this area offers excitement for the whole family at every turn.
Moving towards the Biella area, the Oasi Zegna welcomes adults and children alike with a varied range of horse riding activities. Here, among the mountain ridges and meadows of the wild Valsessera, the Bielmonte equestrian centre offers trails for all levels of experience. For the little ones, their first ride on a pony is a moment of great excitement, experienced in complete safety within the school grounds. Those who wish to improve their technique can take individual lessons or enrol in training courses, while for those who enjoy longer excursions, there are itineraries that cross enchanting landscapes, immersed in unspoilt nature.
And for little explorers who dream of being in the savannah, the Safari Park Lago Maggiore in Pombia is the ideal destination. With over 400 animals and 110 different species, from lions to giraffes to elephants, the park is an exciting adventure to be enjoyed in complete safety. The Safari Park is also a breeding centre for endangered species, where adults and children alike can learn how to protect animals in danger. It is the perfect opportunity to combine discovery, play and awareness.
NATURE TELLS ITS STORY: FORESTS, PLANTS, FLOWERS AND VOLCANOES
In the province of Novara, the Oasi delle Ginestre (Oasis of Broom), in the heart of a former quarry, is now a corner of restored nature where adults and children alike can explore an educational trail surrounded by rare flowers, wild plants and a small lake nestled among the woods. Open on Sunday afternoons and public holidays until 27 July and then from 7 September to the end of October, it offers an opportunity to observe fish, amphibians and birds that have found a safe haven here, discovering how nature can be reborn even where once there was only quarried earth. The experience is completed by picnic areas, a wooden classroom and spaces equipped for breaks and moments of relaxation with the family, in a setting that combines play, learning and respect for the environment.
In the Biella area, the Oasi Zegna continues to amaze with its family-friendly offerings. Here, children can explore the Bosco del Sorriso (Forest of Smiles), a 4.8 km themed trail that winds through larch, beech and fir trees, also designed for those pushing pushchairs. Along the trail, wooden books tell fairy tales inspired by the forest, while stone seats invite you to take magical breaks surrounded by nature. For those looking for an even more engaging adventure, the Bosco Animato (Enchanted Forest) transforms lifeless tree trunks into sculptures of animals and fairy-tale creatures, works by sculptor Max Bove created using the “Chainsaw Carving” technique.
Moving on to Vercelli, we find the Bosco delle Sorti della Partecipanza, a nature reserve that represents the last fragment of the ancient lowland forest that once covered the Po Valley. A veritable “living fossil”, it became a protected nature reserve in 1991, where nature welcomes young and old alike with shaded paths, play areas and picnic areas.
Finally, for those who love geology, Valsesia offers a unique experience with the Sesia Val Grande Geopark. A geological site of global importance, recognised as a UNESCO Global Geopark, it allows visitors to observe up close the bowels of an extinct supervolcano, whose magmatic layers, once located 25 km deep, are now visible thanks to the tectonic movements that raised the Earth’s crust millions of years ago. A veritable open-air museum for aspiring geologists and natural science enthusiasts, offering a journey between past and present that reveals the power and charm of nature.
ONCE UPON A TIME… A FAIRYTALE JOURNEY
The Ossola Valley offers an unforgettable journey aboard the Vigezzina-Centovalli, one of Italy’s most fascinating tourist railway lines. The route winds for 52 kilometres, connecting Domodossola to Lake Maggiore and Locarno, passing through 31 tunnels and over 83 bridges that offer breathtaking views of waterfalls, forests and villages nestled among the mountains. A picture-postcard journey that reaches the Vigezzo Valley, also known as the Valley of Painters or Valley of Chimney Sweeps. Here, young travellers can enjoy a visit to the Chimney Sweep Museum, while older ones can enjoy the spectacular Toce waterfall, the highest in Europe, which can only be visited in summer. Continuing on, the train enters the Centovalli, the true green heart of the route, before reaching Locarno, where you can continue your excursion aboard the Locarno Express, the tourist ferry that plies the waters of Lake Maggiore. An adventure for the whole family, with pushchairs and bicycles allowed on board, and a slow pace that allows you to savour every moment of the journey through unspoilt nature and fairytale landscapes.
UPPER PIEDMONT, BETWEEN SMALL AND BIG EMOTIONS
In Upper Piedmont, nature becomes a large playground where every activity is an opportunity to explore and have fun with the family. From adventure parks to walks through woods and lakes, from the thrills of fun bobsleighing to close encounters with animals, every experience is designed to give children an unforgettable journey full of surprises.
For more information on the “Experience Upper Piedmont – A Mosaic of Wonders” project and future initiatives, visit www.vivialtopiemonte.it.
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