Stage 2 · Bose → Vercelli
- Distance
- 50 km
- Elevation gain
- 50 m D+
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Surface
- 74% asphalt, 26% gravel · 44% on cycle routes
- Terrain
- Vercelli Plain, rice fields
- Hospitality
- Hotels
GPX 1.1 file with the track, elevation and the abbeys as waypoints. Tracks are calculated on real roads and cycle routes (OpenStreetMap): check them on the ground before you set off.
Gravel variant: 53 km · D+ 60 m · 63% unpaved (main track: 26%)
Calculated with a profile that prefers gravel roads and dirt tracks (BRouter on OpenStreetMap data): more natural surface and less traffic, sometimes slower. Check it on the ground, especially after rain.
Stage map
Map of the stage Bose → Vercelli: track, start, finish, places to stay and abbeys
Hover the profile to see the spot on the map
Tracks calculated on real roads and cycle paths (OpenStreetMap); elevations from SRTM data — to be checked on the ground
This stage on Komoot
The same track is on the project's Komoot profile: save it in the app and ride it with voice navigation.
Overview
Descent from the Biellese hills towards the Vercelli plain. The route drops steadily through cultivated fields and small villages, ending in historic Vercelli, the rice capital of Europe.
Notes from the road
From Bose the road drops calmly to the plain, rice paddies appear almost right after Cavaglià. In September the harvest raises dust that stings eyes and throat, worth knowing before you leave. Mosquitoes bite hardest at dusk, near the canals where riders stop to drink. Santhià has bars and shops at the halfway point, handy before the last stretch to Vercelli.
What to see
Monastero di Bose, Biellese hills and woods, Basilica of Sant'Andrea in Vercelli, rice fields of the Vercellese, mirror-like flooded paddies in spring
Where to sleep
Albergo Sant'Andrea in Vercelli (65-90€); B&B in the historic centre (60-85€); rice-paddy agriturismo (50-70€)
Where to eat
Risotto alla vercellese, rane in umido (stewed frogs), paniscia (rice and beans)
Tips
The descent is steady. Watch out for the irrigation channels of the rice paddies. Vercelli has good services before the next long stage.
Water & supplies
Fountains in Magnano and Cavaglià; bars and food shops in Santhià at mid-stage. The rice paddies between Santhià and Vercelli are an open stretch of about 20 km with no shade or refreshments: in summer start early and carry water. Mosquitoes are plentiful from May to September. Public fountains are rare among the rice fields: set off with full bottles.
Places to stay on this stage
- Foresteria del Monastero di Boseguesthouse
Frazione Bose 6, Magnano (BI)- Price:
- donation-based
- Open:
- year-round (bookings by phone only)
- Facilities:
- rooms, meals with the community, shared prayer
- Source:
- monasterodibose.it
Monastic hospitality at the ecumenical community of Bose, the natural finish of the first stage.
- Ostello Hospitale Sancti Eusebihostel
Vicolo Alciati 4, Vercelli- Price:
- donation (~€10)
- Open:
- year-round, booking required (tel. 334 2386911)
- Facilities:
- beds, showers, laundry, kitchen use
- Source:
- amicidellaviafrancigena.vercelli.it
Pilgrim hostel in the old town, where the route crosses the Via Francigena.
Abbeys on this stage
- Start abbey: Monastero di Bose
An amateur, non-profit project. The tracks are indicative: everyone rides independently, at their own risk.