Cycling through the 'Squared Sea' and the flight of the storks

A ride through the 'squared sea'

'Cycling through the Squared Sea and the flight of the storks' is a cycle tourism excursion held in the municipality of Greggio, a small village in the rice-growing plains of the Vercelli province, in Piedmont. The event invites cycling enthusiasts to immerse themselves in one of the most evocative landscapes in the region: the Vercelli rice fields which, during the spring flooding months, transform into an immense expanse of water where the sky is reflected between the banks, creating that famous effect that locals have always called the 'squared sea'.

A circular route between nature and silence

The route is a loop starting and ending in Greggio, designed for those seeking a day of slow travel and discovery. You will ride along secondary roads and dirt tracks, free of technical difficulties, following the embankments and farm roads that cross the rice fields. The route is suitable for various types of bicycles: gravel, mountain bike, and e-MTB, making it accessible to cyclists of different fitness levels.

Herons and storks, inhabitants of the rice fields

One of the most fascinating aspects of the itinerary is observing the wildlife that populates the Vercelli rice fields. Among the flooded fields, you can spot grey herons, purple herons, great egrets, and squacco herons, as well as the storks that give the event its name. Cycling in this environment also means getting to know a fragile and precious ecosystem up close, where rice farming has coexisted for centuries with a rich variety of birdlife.

The territory: Greggio and the Vercelli plains

Greggio is a municipality in the Province of Vercelli, nestled in the great rice-growing plain that characterizes this part of Piedmont. Rice cultivation has shaped not only the landscape, with its geometric fields, canals, and historic farmsteads, but also the local culture and gastronomy, with rice as the absolute star of the table. The event, organized by Vercelli Outdoor, represents a gentle and sustainable way to discover this corner of the territory, far from the most beaten tourist paths.

Who is it for?

The event is aimed at cycle tourists and nature lovers who want to spend a day in the saddle in a relaxing setting, without the pressure of competition. It is not a race, but an experience of discovery: the goal is to enjoy the landscape, stop to observe the birds, and breathe in the silent atmosphere of the rice fields.