Between Castles and Rice Fields
Edition 2026 Nature Hiking Folk traditions

Between Castles and Rice Fields

A non-competitive walk through the castle and the Baraggia rice fields in Rovasenda

Rovasenda — Vercelli (002)
Dates 01 Jun — 01 Jun 2026
Location Rovasenda (002)
Prices
Status Finished

About Between Castles and Rice Fields

A 10 km non-competitive walk between the medieval manor of Rovasenda and the organic rice fields of the Baraggia, in the heart of the Vercelli province. Part of the Sagra dell'Assunta festival, the event is organized by Atletica Valsesia and features a mostly flat route on asphalt and dirt roads, with a shorter track suitable for families and children. An outdoor event that combines sport, landscape, and traditional Piedmontese village life.

A walk through castles and rice fields in the heart of the Baraggia

Between Castles and Rice Fields is the non-competitive walk that brings Rovasenda to life every year, a small town in the province of Vercelli nestled in the evocative Baraggia plains of Piedmont. The event offers a route of approximately 10 km that winds through the village, dominated by its imposing medieval castle, and the vast organic rice fields surrounding the town, offering participants a unique setting of nature, water, and agricultural tradition.

The route

The track is predominantly flat and alternates between asphalt sections and country dirt roads, crossing the characteristic landscapes of the Baraggia rice fields. It is a non-competitive run and walk, open to everyone: runners, outdoor sports enthusiasts, and casual walkers. In addition to the 10 km long route, there is also a short track designed for families, children, and those who wish to experience the event at a more relaxed pace.

Sport and tradition: the Sagra dell'Assunta

The walk is part of the Sagra dell'Assunta program, the most heartfelt festival in Rovasenda, which enlivens the town for five days with food stalls, musical evenings, religious moments, community initiatives, and sporting activities. Walking along the route means immersing yourself in the atmosphere of a village festival, amidst the scents of local cuisine and the conviviality typical of Piedmontese towns.

Rovasenda, the village of the castle and rice fields

Rovasenda is a small agricultural center in the heart of the Baraggia, famous for its medieval castle dating back to 1170 and the spectacular 48-meter-high tower, built in 1459 and among the best-preserved in the Vercelli area. The territory is part of the Baragge Nature Reserve, a unique environment often compared to a savannah, where organic rice fields coexist with nesting platforms for storks. A natural and historical context that makes this walk much more than just a simple run.

Who is it for?

  • Runners and non-competitive racing enthusiasts
  • Families and children, thanks to the short route
  • Walkers and light trekking enthusiasts
  • Tourists curious to discover the landscape of the Vercelli Baraggia

A simple and genuine event, perfect for combining physical activity with the discovery of one of the most fascinating corners of the Vercelli province, in Piedmont.

Between Castles and Rice Fields — edition 2026

L'edizione 2026 di Tra Castelli e Risaie si è svolta lunedì 1 giugno 2026 a Rovasenda, all'interno della Sagra dell'Assunta. La camminata non competitiva di 10 km, organizzata dall'Atletica Valsesia, ha portato podisti e camminatori tra il castello del borgo e le risaie biologiche della Baraggia vercellese, con un percorso breve dedicato a famiglie e bambini.

L'edizione 2026 di Tra Castelli e Risaie si è tenuta lunedì 1 giugno 2026 a Rovasenda, in provincia di Vercelli, come uno degli appuntamenti della Sagra dell'Assunta (29 maggio - 2 giugno 2026). La camminata non competitiva, curata dall'Atletica Valsesia, ha proposto il consueto percorso di circa 10 km tra il centro storico e le risaie della Baraggia, affiancato da un tracciato più breve per chi preferiva una passeggiata adatta a tutti. Al termine, i partecipanti hanno potuto fermarsi agli stand gastronomici della sagra.

Programme Between Castles and Rice Fields 2026

Lunedì 1 giugno 2026

  • Ore 18:00 — Ritrovo e partenza della camminata non competitiva
  • Percorso lungo: circa 10 km tra asfalto e sterrato, tra castello e risaie
  • Percorso breve: tracciato ridotto adatto a famiglie e bambini

L'evento è inserito nel programma della Sagra dell'Assunta (29 maggio - 2 giugno 2026), con stand gastronomici, serate musicali e attività comunitarie nei giorni precedenti.

Highlights Between Castles and Rice Fields 2026

Camminata non competitiva di 10 km tra il castello medievale di Rovasenda e le risaie biologiche della Baraggia, all'interno della Sagra dell'Assunta.

Prices Between Castles and Rice Fields 2026

Manifestazione a iscrizione (camminata ludico-motoria). Per quota di partecipazione e modalità di iscrizione consultare l'Atletica Valsesia.

Practical information — Between Castles and Rice Fields

How to get there

Rovasenda is located in the province of Vercelli, in the Piedmontese Baraggia. By car, it can be reached from the A4 motorway (Greggio or Balocco exits) and from the provincial roads connecting Vercelli, Biella, and Gattinara. The most convenient train station is Rovasenda, on the Santhià-Biella line.

Start

The start is scheduled from the town center, near Via Cavour. It is recommended to check the exact time and meeting point with the organizers.

Registration and information

The event is organized by Atletica Valsesia. For registration, schedules, and regulations, it is recommended to visit the Atletica Valsesia website or contact the Municipality of Rovasenda at +39 0161 856115.

Tips

Wear shoes suitable for both asphalt and dirt roads and bring water with you. As it is part of the Sagra dell'Assunta, it is the ideal opportunity to stop at the food stalls at the end of the route.

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Where does it take place — Between Castles and Rice Fields

Centro storico di Rovasenda

Via Cavour, 13040 Rovasenda

Contact Between Castles and Rice Fields

Tel
+39 0161 856115

Between Castles and Rice Fields in brief

Nature Hiking Folk traditions Family Sport Trail Outdoor Free Participatory Vercelli

History of Between Castles and Rice Fields