With 750 m difference in altitude, through an enchanting landscape to reach the 1150 m of the Sanctuary of Oropa, destination of six arrivals of the Giro d'Italia. The complex of the Sanctuary and the Sacro Monte is considered the most important place of Marian cult of the Alpine arc, which for centuries has been a pilgrimage destination. It has been registered since 2003 as one of the sites of the ""Sacri Monti del Piemonte e della Lombardia" – “Sacred Mountains of Piedmont and Lombardy" on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The Biella - Oropa ascent is also the final stop on the Castellania - Oropa route, a 320 km route which links the hills of Monferrato to the Oropa Sanctuary in the Biella area. Eight stages, all with a departure and arrival point  in places well served by the railway lines, which have  a  train + bike service.