Via Ferrata and First World War Routes

Between the trenches of the First World War

Hiking in the San Pellegrino Pass is characterised by its trenches, making it an emotional journey where history and nature come together. These paths stir your emotions as you walk where Austrian and Italian soldiers once fought. It is not difficult to find historical artifacts, especially food tins and barbed wire, and sometimes spent bullets and other everyday items.

If you love adventure, don’t forget that you need the appropriate equipment to access the climbing routes: boots, a harness and a helmet. You can ask the local alpine guides who organise excursions about hiring suitable equipment. Here are some climbing routes:

• Alta Via Bepi Zac – this is one of the first routes to introduce children to climbing. From the San Pellegrino Pass you can either walk or take the chair lift to the Selle Pass. You then need to go right on the steep uphill path 637 until you arrive at the climbing route. The first part is easy, taking you to the Forcella Ciadin and from there you can walk back down through the meadows. The journey time varies greatly depending on how long you spend visiting the military posts. The more highly trained and technically capable climbers can carry on up to the Fuciade refuge.
• Alta Via Federspiel – recommended only for equipped climbers who are technically capable of tackling sections which are very exposed at times. From the San Pellegrino Pass you can either walk or take the chair lift to the Selle Pass. Take path 616 on the left and carry on along the trenches of the Great War. Once you have arrived at the Forcella Ricoletta, you can decide whether to continue along the climbing route or head down towards Moena. If you continue, you reach the Cima Malinverno summit, the Forcella della Costella and you finally head back down to Moena. This demanding hiking route takes approximately 7 hours.
• Alta Via Mariotta – the best way is to take the Col Margherita cable car up from the San Pellegrino Pass. Path 658 on the left takes you to the climbing route, which is along the First World War barracks, on the Italo-Austrian side. This route has panoramic views, ups and downs, leading to the steep ridge down to the Juribrutto summit. Now you head down to the Forcella Juribrutto and can decide whether to return straight back to the San Pellegrino Pass or carry on to climb the Cima Bocche summit.