L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2015 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano 17 Discovering the places of the Great War: a trekking path through the Dolomites I m a g i n e w a l k i n g t h r o u g h green fields dotted with tiny m o u n t a i n f l o w e r s a n d o n t o winding rocky paths that seem to disappear into the bluest of skies, while the only sounds you hear are the gravel under your hiking boots and the dis- tant gong of a cowbell. Walking t h r o u g h t h e D o l o m i t e s , t h e splendidly pink mountains in the northeast of Italy, is a truly magical experience for all those who enjoy the fresh air of the mountains and the challenge of conquering some of the most stunning peaks of the Alps. Today the Dolomites are an oasis of peace, quiet and calm, but in the past, during World War I, they have been the back- drop to many difficult battles between the Austrians and the Italians: to this day the beautiful t r e k k i n g p a t h o f t h e G r a n d e Guerra (the Great War) retraces the epic tracks of those who walked, lived and died in the surrounding mountains. It was a long and exhausting war, fought i n b a t t l e s t h a t t o o k p l a c e p e r c h e d o n t h e s i d e s o f t h e mountains. Most of the times soldiers had to move at night, for the barren landscape gave them no shelter during the day and they had no way to avoid the snipers' fire. The result is a complicated system of galleries, excavated in the rocks by thou- sands of soldiers, that can be visited to this day. T h e t r e k k i n g s t a r t s a t t h e Rifugio Auronzo (6900 feet), easily reachable by car taking t h e t o l l r o a d T r e C i m e f r o m Misurina (province of Belluno). Here the real adventure by foot begins by taking a dirt road that coasts the southern sides of the Cima Ovest and Cima Grande (path numbers 101 and 104). Past a beautiful mountain chapel t h e p a t h c o n t i n u e s t o t h e Rifugio Lavaredo, a mountain hut and then on to the Forcella L a v a r e d o ( 7 3 6 0 f e e t ) . F r o m here the views are incredible, as you can see the imposing north faces of the Cima Grande and the Cima Ovest. Climbing to the right you will reach the galleries excavated during the Great War i n s i d e M o u n t P a t e r n o : t h e gallery is dark and takes almost an hour to clear, but there is an alternative path that goes down t o t h e R i f u g i o L o c a t e l l i Innerkofler and offers beautiful panorama of a small alpine lake and the Forcella di Toblin. The p a t h c o n t i n u e s t o w a r d t h e "Sausage peak" (Frankfurter W u r s t e l ) a n d a r r i v e s a t t h e access to the galleries. Here the galleries aren't as dark and can be explored in about 15 min- utes: on the other side they give access to a spectacular panora- ma point with views of the Tre Cime on the right and the Piani Lakes on the left. The path back to the starting point is one of unique beauty, with uninterrupt- ed views and stunning scenery: t h e t r a i l f r o m s t a r t t o f i n i s h takes about 3 ½ hours and is rated "E" for easy. The best t i m e o f t h e y e a r t o v i s i t t h e Dolomites for hiking and walk- ing is from June to September, when the snow has melted and the weather is warm and sunny even at the highest altitudes. For detailed information about the Giro della Grande Guerra and CHIARA ASSI other trekking paths contact the local tourism bureau the Ufficio Turistico Auronzo di Cadore at www.infodolomiti.it Picture perfect Val Badia is a great starting point to explore the area: the villages of San Cassiano, La Villa and Corvara offer plenty of accommodation options and are close to lifts. Cortina d'Ampezzo and Arabba in the nearby valleys are also a good starting point for moun- tain excursions. For a luxury and truly special stay check out H o t e l A r m e n t a r o l a , i n S a n Cassiano, Val Badia: stunning rooms, a privileged location and delicious restaurant make this hotel one of the best in the a r e a . F o r m o r e d e t a i l s : http://www.armentarola.com/en /hotel-alta-badia/1-0.html T h e D o l o m i t e s c a n b e reached by car with the A22 h i g h w a y M o d e n a B r e n n e r o , e i t h e r b y t a k i n g t h e T r e n t o , B o l z a n o o r B r u n i c o e x i t s , depending which valley you want to reach. Trains, too, con- nect Bolzano to main stations such as Bologna, Verona and Milano, from Bolzano a reliable bus service connects the town to villages in the nearby val- leys. Today the Dolomites are an oasis of peace, quiet and calm, but in the past, during World War I, they have been the backdrop to many difficult battles between the Austrians and the Italians San Cassiano Rifugio Locatelli

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