- Bessa Special Reserve - Trail of the Ciapei Parfunda (photo by RR Bessa)
- Bessa - Piles of pebbles (photo by RR Bessa)
- Anemone pulsatilla (photo by RR Bessa)
A Boundless Sea of Pebbles Piled Like Dunes in the Desert
The heaps of pebbles are furrowed by long and deep valleys covered with thick vegetation. La Bessa, with its rather unusual and almost moon-like aspect, originates from an ancient extraction activity for the search of gold. Established in 1985 as Special Nature Reserve, La Bessa covers a territory of about 7 square km, with an altitude between the 270 and the 430 meters. It is situated between Biella and Ivrea, and it is part of the moraine of Serra, the largest in Europe. The Park Authority offers the service of guided visits; there are particular activities for children, based on game or adventure; moreover, you can experiment the search for gold along the stream Elvo. Several and tested environmental education didactic projects are available for schools, summer centers, and groups of children.
