The Cervo Valley is the second longest valley of the Biellese area, preceded only by the Sessera Valley and followed by the Elvo Valley. It is 19 kilometers long extending from the Tre Vescovi Peak (alt.2501m) to the outskirts of Biella. It is also known as the Valley of Andorno. “Cervo” is in fact the name of the torrent that flows its entire length, while Andorno is the ancient name of the Community formed by the villages along the valley that at one time were ruled by the center of Andorno Cacciorna. Being on the fringes of the Biella area, the Andorno Valley has been for centuries a crossroad for cattle and people coming from the neighboring Lys and Sesia Valleys, as they moved towards the markets of Biella , Cacciorna and the Oropa Sanctuary or towards the pastures at higher altitude.
It also served as a meeting ground between cultures and original community experiences. Many of these settled down and integrated the society producing a heritage of civilization with many visible signs including rural architecture, mule-tracks, land terracing, cliff inscriptions, original constructions, small votive chapels, fountains, drinking troughs for cattle, bridges, type of land use and diverse local dialects. Today the mountain community of the Cervo Valley includes 14 municipalities: Andorno Micca, Sagliano Micca, Miagliano, Tollegno, Pralungo, Zumaglia, Ronco Biellese, Ternengo, Tavigliano, Quittengo, San Paolo Cervo, Campiglia Cervo, Rosazza and Piedicavallo.