The 18 Most Amazing Peaks around Caprile

The **Passo (or Bocchetto) di Bocchetto Sessera is an alpine pass located in the Biella Alps, in the Province of Biella (Piedmont, Italy). It connects the Valle dello Strona di Mosso with the Val Sessera, between the mountains Monte Marca (1,558 m) and Monticchio (1,697 m).

Chapel, refuge and on the left, the white dot, is the summit cross.

Summit.... Breathtaking view

small chapel with a cross at the top

Main entrance to the Oasi Zegna, from which many paths start, including the "Bosco del Sorriso" path and others

My favorite route for both "training" climbs (when I was young) and, more frequently, to enjoy a climb all through the woods, therefore bearable even in July-August, with the arrival at the refuge that instead opens up to the eyes an unexpected panorama over a good stretch of the lower Valsesia. The climb to the summit, behind the refuge, then reveals, on clear days, M. Rosa and many other peaks. I tried two excursions, starting from the refuge. The first, continue to sella Vazzosa (short exposed sections, be very careful!) and then to Massale, then always on a trail on the crest to Castello del Gavala, there be very careful for short exposed sections and to find the right passage to descend from the summit to the path just below that will lead to Luotto and finally to Tovo or even just to sella Rosetta, and then go to the Gilodi-Ca'Mea refuge. Many km and altitude difference (1700 m approx.), to be organized in company and with two cars, one in Casavei and the other in Ca' Mea, with a lot of necessary training. An easier tour of approx. 1050 m of altitude difference, but which requires a good sense of direction, maps and GPS, is to go down the southern ridge in front of the Spanna refuge, always continue without going down the sides, paying attention to some rare paint on the trunks, until you come across a dirt road at an altitude of 1250, at the hairpin bend, not far from Alpe Passarina. From there the dirt road leads to Sella di Parone and finally to Casavei, altitude difference reduced to approx. 850 m. But at that storm the adventure becomes beautiful by leaving the dirt road and taking a path, always vs. south and remaining on the crest (wooded), which leads below partly maintained and partly ruined mountain pastures, first to Arcacce, from which you leave the crest to turn left and then find Tereggia, Pometto, Uccello alps, descending to the dirt road of Pra Personale that leads to Locarno, from there go back up to Casavei, and it is this climb to Casavei/Narpone that brings the difference in altitude to about 1050-1060 m Almost absolutely to be done with those who have already done this descent as it is easy to get lost. I did it and discovered it a first time with a few mistakes and retraced my steps to then find the right passages, all easy and always on wooded slopes, since then I have memorized it and once every year or two it gives me great satisfaction to do this ring again. Get a Geo4Map map n.2

I don't count the times... everything is easy, pay attention from the refuge to the summit, a few meters here and there of steep rock, no stumbling or getting distracted, very dangerous. Done well, however, it is for everyone. I have done the return trip several times along the southern ridge, right in front of the refuge, rare signs for almost 400 meters of altitude difference, stay on the ridge on the back of the ridge until you exit at 1250 meters of altitude on the road that ends on the right at Alpe Passarina and on the left goes down to Selle di Parone and further on to Casavei. Instead of going down the road, I have taken the path several times (on the hairpin bend where it comes out) that, here too, staying on the back of the ridge, turning left when it ends, and paying attention to the few signs on the plants, goes down to the ancient Arcacce Alps, then Pometto (ruins), Uccello (ruins), Pra, where the dirt road begins and some renovated farmhouses, then Parone etc.

Of this mountain, after well over a hundred climbs, I know all the sides, it's a shame that some of the slopes inside the Val Sessera, e.g. the one for Rattarun and then Alpe Boscoso then climbing to Navagli and Alpe Campo and Cima ... are, for some stretches in the lower valley, a bit swallowed up by vegetation. The normal route from Ciota to the refuge is very popular, but for example the descent via Spelonca-Cascinetta still offers a nice ring that is more "wild" and very little frequented.