Top 5 Natural Monuments around Cigliano

While Cigliano itself is known for agriculture, the most significant natural attraction nearby is the Parco Naturale delle Lame del Sesia. This protected area along the Sesia River features a unique riverine landscape with abandoned river branches, meanders, and gravel beds, offering a vital natural oasis amidst cultivated lands. It's a haven for diverse flora and fauna, especially birdlife.

Yes, several natural monuments are suitable for families. Lake Candia is a popular spot, especially in summer, offering opportunities to go around the lake within its natural park. The Cascina Sagrinosa Nature Reserve also features redeveloped cycle and pedestrian paths, making it a quiet and accessible area for families.

The Parco Naturale delle Lame del Sesia is particularly rich in biodiversity. It's home to over 165 bird species, including one of Italy's largest heronries with little egrets, grey herons, and cormorants. You might also spot the rare European pond turtle, as well as mammals like squirrels, badgers, foxes, and hares. Birdwatching is a popular activity, facilitated by sighting huts along the Sesia River.

Yes, there are various hiking opportunities. The Parco Naturale delle Lame del Sesia offers equipped trails for hiking, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the serene natural setting. For more structured routes, you can explore the hiking routes around Cigliano, which include trails like the 'MoncriVilla Blue Trail' and 'Alta Via dell'Anfiteatro Morenico di Ivrea: Stage 3'.

Absolutely. The Cascina Sagrinosa Nature Reserve has dedicated cycle paths. The Parco Naturale delle Lame del Sesia also provides opportunities for cycling on its equipped trails. For a wider range of options, consider the road cycling routes around Cigliano or gravel biking routes, which include loops around Lake Viverone and other scenic areas.

The natural monuments are generally accessible year-round. However, for birdwatching, spring and autumn are often ideal. Note that for the Lago di Candia Nature Park, passage through two short internal crossings is restricted from April to July due to bird nesting, which is important to consider if you plan to visit during those months.

Yes, the Pera Cunca Sacrificial Stone is an important erratic boulder with historical significance. It features a central cavity and lateral ones connected by channels, believed to have been used as an altar for pagan rites in antiquity. It is set on a small natural hill surrounded by chestnut trees, offering a glimpse into the region's ancient past.

The Lago di Candia Nature Park is a significant marsh area, particularly important for bird nesting. Its ecological value means that certain areas have restricted access during the nesting season (April to July) to protect the avian inhabitants. It's a key site for observing wetland biodiversity.

Within the Parco Naturale delle Lame del Sesia, an Ornithological Museum is located at the park's headquarters in Albano Vercellese. It can be visited upon request and provides further insight into the park's diverse avian inhabitants and ecological importance.

The term 'lame' refers to stretches of water formed from abandoned river branches, which are a characteristic feature of the Parco Naturale delle Lame del Sesia. These 'lame,' along with meanders, bodies of water, woods, gravel beds, and sands, contribute to the park's unique and dynamic fluvial environment, shaped by the Sesia River.

In front of the small church of Saint James, there stands a centenary plane tree, 'planted' in 1922. While the church itself is a religious building, this ancient tree has become a natural monument in its own right, representing a long-standing natural landmark in the village.