Ailoche

Access

Ailoche can be accessed mainly via the provincial road network that connects it to neighbouring municipalities and the capital Biella, with easy routes through the Piedmont valleys. Its proximity to Crevacuore and Postua also facilitates travel, while the nearest railway stations are located in neighbouring towns, making the municipality easily accessible for those coming from further afield. The area is distinguished by its balance of mountain nature and human presence, offering a tranquil dimension that connects with traditions and tourism linked above all to hiking and the rediscovery of authentic environments.

Introduction

Ailoche is a small mountain municipality located in the province of Biella, in the Piedmont region, embraced by the lush nature of the Sessera Valley. The town is located on the north-eastern edge of the province and extends on a mountain spur overlooking the neighbouring valleys, with a surface area of around 11 km². With a population of around 320 inhabitants known as Ailochesi, it is a village that preserves a peaceful and rural environment, with a strong vocation for summer holidays thanks to its picturesque hill and mountain scenery. The territory hosts several hamlets, including Venarolo, Lora, Piasca, Vacchera and Giunchio, distributed on the two sides of a spur that faces the valley of the Strona di Postua stream to the east and the valley of the Bodro river to the west. The history of the municipality, linked to ancient medieval origins, is marked by a modest but important rural continuity, with religious and cultural testimonies, including the parish church of San Bernardo and the Marian sanctuary of Brugarola, reflecting the local religious tradition.

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Description

The territory of Ailoche is characterised by a typically mountainous natural environment, with woods rich in chestnut trees and mushrooms, pastures and valleys carved by streams and torrents. The average altitude of the village is about 560 metres, while the higher areas reach the mountain spurs that offer opportunities for hikes and walks. The history of the municipality follows a path of modest public importance but with local interests, such as the blessed Giacomino de' Canepacci, born in the hamlet of Piasca in the 15th century, a religious figure venerated in the village. Over the centuries, Ailoche changed administrative domain, passing from the principality of Masserano to the Savoy states and maintaining a certain cultural autonomy. The traditional economy was based on agriculture and sheep farming, with a recent move into summer tourism and hospitality, favoured by natural beauty and an essential cultural heritage. In recent decades, a number of craft activities and typical agricultural initiatives have joined the tourist presence, although a simple economic structure linked to the territory remains.
Culturally, Ailoche retains traditional festivals linked to patron saints and religious festivities, in particular the Brugarola festival in August at the sanctuary dedicated to the Madonna d'Oropa, an event that draws local participation around its spiritual roots. The local gastronomy maintains links with Piedmontese mountain cuisine, emphasising simple products from the land and livestock farming. From a hiking point of view, Ailoche is a privileged starting point for discovering trails immersed in the woods and mountains surrounding the area, as demonstrated by stage 43 of the Grande Traversata Biellese, which connects Ailoche to Sparavera with a route of about 5 km and an elevation gain of 527 metres. This and other itineraries lend themselves to walking in the silent atmosphere of the valley, with panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and the possibility of immersing oneself in natural environments rich in typical flora and fauna. The hiking experience can be enriched by the presence of artificial lakes and the custom of collecting chestnuts and mushrooms, activities rooted in the local identity.

Information

Area: 10.26 sq km
Altitude: 569m
Maximum elevation:
Number of inhabitants: 317
Name in dialect: Ailòche
Inhabitant name:ailochesi
Patron Saint: Saint Bernard of Menton (15 June)
Website: www.comune.ailoche.bi.it
Webcam:
Bordering municipalities: Caprile, Coggiola, Crevacuore, Guardabosone, Postua
 Villages and hamlets: Ailoche, Giunchio, Peiro, Piasca, Ponte Strona, Venarolo