Transumando
The transhumance festival in the Biellese Alps
About Transumando
Transumando: the ritual of transhumance in the Biellese Alps
Every year, at the end of May, the mountains above Camandona and the Oasi Zegna return to celebrate one of the most ancient rituals of Alpine culture: transhumance, the seasonal movement of herds from valley pastures to high-altitude mountain meadows. Transumando, now in its 26th edition, is the event that has been celebrating this pastoral tradition in the Biella area for over twenty-five years, transforming a centuries-old labor into a grand public festival open to all.
An event spread across multiple municipalities
Promoted by DocBi - Centro Studi Biellesi with the collaboration of Oasi Zegna, FAI, CAI, and the Municipality of Valdilana, Transumando does not take place in a single location but winds along a path that crosses several villages and hamlets of the Biellese mountains, in the Province of Biella (Piedmont). The Santuario del Mazzucco in Camandona is the symbolic starting point of the longest transhumance route, while Bocchetto Sessera serves as the central hub of the day, where the various itineraries converge.
Over two hundred cows heading to the pastures
The heart of the event is the passage of the herd: over two hundred cows from the Croso breeders climb from the pastures toward Alpe Campelli and Alpe Moncerchio. The herd sets off in the night and passes through mountain hamlets in the early hours of the morning, their cowbells marking the rhythm of a tradition that defies time. Walking alongside the animals, through woods and pastures, is the experience that draws hundreds of participants from all over Piedmont every year.
Three routes for every fitness level
- The Traditional Transhumance (approx. 28 km round trip): the itinerary for experienced hikers, starting at dawn from the Santuario del Mazzucco in Camandona.
- The Sunday Transhumance (approx. 8 km round trip): an intermediate route from Bocchetto Sessera toward Piana del Ponte, accessible on foot or by mountain bike.
- The Transhumance for All (approx. 5 km round trip): the easy loop from Bocchetto Sessera to Alpe Moncerchio, ideal for families with children.
Flavors, music, and culture
Along the routes and at the rest stops, there is no shortage of markets featuring local products, tastings of regional delicacies, local crafts, and musical entertainment. On the Saturday preceding the transhumance, the "Waiting for Transumando" day features FAI guided tours, conferences on alpine farming, and workshops on wild herbs. An authentic festival that tells the story of the deepest identity of the Biellese mountains.
Transumando — edition 2026
L'edizione 2026 di Transumando, la ventiseiesima, ha confermato la formula su due giornate. Sabato 23 maggio la giornata "Aspettando Transumando" ha proposto visite e attività di avvicinamento, mentre domenica 24 maggio si è svolta la transumanza vera e propria, con la mandria Croso di oltre 200 capi in salita verso gli alpeggi. Organizzata da DocBi - Centro Studi Biellesi con Oasi Zegna, FAI, CAI e Comune di Valdilana, la manifestazione ha attraversato il territorio tra Camandona, Valdilana e l'Oasi Zegna, in Provincia di Biella.
Programme Transumando 2026
Sabato 23 maggio — "Aspettando Transumando"
Località Brughiera (Trivero, Valdilana):
- 14:00 — Visita guidata al Santuario Madonna della Brughiera (Gruppo FAI), con replica nel tardo pomeriggio
- 15:00-17:30 — Convegno "Alpicoltura in Alta Valsessera e nel Biellese"
- Laboratorio "Andar per Erbe" con Mina Novello; apertura del Museo della Transumanza
Località Bocchetto Sessera:
- 15:00-17:00 — Passeggiata naturalistica con le guide OverAlp
- Dalle 17:00 — Merenda Cenoira, rito gastronomico tradizionale (prenotazione obbligatoria, max 25 posti)
Domenica 24 maggio — Transumando
Percorso 1 — La Transumanza della tradizione (circa 28 km A/R):
- 06:00 — Partenza dal Santuario del Mazzucco (Camandona)
- 09:00-10:00 — Arrivo a Bocchetto Sessera
- 11:00 — Piana del Ponte
- 14:00 — Alpe Campelli
Percorso 2 — La Transumanza della domenica (circa 8 km A/R), a piedi o in MTB:
- 09:00 — Partenza a piedi da Bocchetto Sessera con la mandria verso Piana del Ponte
- 10:00 — Partenza in bicicletta da Bocchetto Sessera
- 11:00 — Piana del Ponte, con possibilità di proseguire verso l'Alpe Campelli
Percorso 3 — La Transumanza per tutti (circa 5 km A/R):
- 12:00 — Partenza da Bocchetto Sessera verso l'Alpe Moncerchio, percorso adatto alle famiglie
A Bocchetto Sessera: mercatini di prodotti locali, sapori del territorio, artigianato e animazione musicale. All'Alpe Moncerchio e allo Chalet Massaro: ristoro con arrosticini e miacce, accompagnamento musicale e pranzo su prenotazione presso l'Agriturismo Moncerchio.
Highlights Transumando 2026
Prices Transumando 2026
Practical information — Transumando
How to get there
The main meeting point on Sunday is Bocchetto Sessera, reachable via the Panoramica Zegna (SP232). It is recommended to park in lots 1 and 2 in Bielmonte. The longest transhumance route starts from the Santuario del Mazzucco in Camandona.
When
The last weekend of May: Saturday is the preparatory day "Waiting for Transumando", Sunday is the actual transhumance with a dawn departure.
What to bring
Trekking footwear (hiking boots) and layered mountain clothing. Times are indicative and follow the needs of the herds.
Costs and registration
Participation is free and open to all. Some Saturday activities and lunches at agriturismos require reservation.
Contacts
DocBi - Centro Studi Biellesi. Info: [email protected], tel. +39 340 1989593.
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Where does it take place — Transumando
Santuario del Mazzucco / Bocchetto Sessera
Santuario del Mazzucco, 13821 Camandona