Forest walks and mountain trails at the Oasi Zegna

Here, in the Biella Alps, autumn is one of the most evocative times of the year, when, amidst the hues of beech and chestnut trees, a constantly changing landscape takes shape – one to be observed whilst walking, slowing down and paying attention to what is happening in the woods. Established in 1993, the Oasi Zegna (halfway between Milan and Turin) is a project dedicated to enhancing not only the landscape but also life in all its forms: it covers an area open to the public spanning 100 km² (1,420 hectares of woodland and 170 hectares of pasture) and is the perfect place to connect with nature whilst fully respecting local ecosystems. In 2014, it received the patronage of the FAI (Italian Environment Fund) and, since 2022, has been internationally certified to the rigorous FSC standards for forest management and the conservation of ecosystem services for the benefit of the community. Key sites include the ‘Bosco del Sorriso’ (Forest of Smiles), accessible from Bocchetto Sessera, where at this time of year the dense beech woods gradually take on the colours of the season, and the Brughiera, near Trivero Valdilana, where beech and chestnut trees line the paths and ancient mule tracks around the sanctuary of the same name. Both can be explored at your leisure, choosing your route and duration according to the time you have available. Alongside independent walks, the 2026 programme offers a series of guided experiences that allow you to observe autumn from different perspectives, accompanied by the nature guides from Équipe Arc-en-Ciel. During the ‘Il Bosco d’Autunno’ walks, for example, the focus shifts from the colours of the leaves to everything else that changes in the woodland (the next dates are scheduled from Saturday 24th to Monday 26th October). For those wishing to spend more time in the mountains, however, the Expedition Days offer routes with different itineraries and levels of difficulty. The next one (easy/medium difficulty) is on 1 November and lasts around six hours: the walk sets off in the morning from Brughiera, with a stroll amongst beech and chestnut trees and a visit to the sanctuary of the same name, and concludes in the afternoon at Casa Zegna to explore the history of the Zegna family and the bond forged over time between the company and the local area.

https://www.oasizegna.com/it/