High Altitude Cappuccino

    🗺️ Overview Starting point:  Bocchetta Campiglia (1,216m) Arrival:  Rifugio Achille Papa (1,928m) Altitude gain:  ~800m Duration:  ~5-6 hours round trip Difficulty:  Moderate (no technical difficulties, but requires a head for heights) Best season:  Late spring to early autumn Family-friendly:  Yes, but  some exposure to cliffs  may not suit those with vertigo Key highlights:   52 wartime tunnels , breathtaking  ridge views , and a  historical WWI route Download GPS file The  Strada delle 52 Gallerie  is more than just a hike—it’s a  journey through history . This extraordinary trail was built during  World War I , carved into the sheer cliffs of  Monte Pasubio  to provide a  safe supply route  for Italian troops. A Feat of Wartime Engineering Monte Pasubio was of  strategic importance  in defending Italy from  Austro-Hungarian forces . However, the main road...

Ok I admit, this is not really a hike. Still it is in the mountains and involves some walking so I post about it. We were an a trip from Switzerland to Croatia and for some wierd reason we decided to go though Germany and Austria. There we visited the Eagle's Nest (Kehlseinhouse), the famous Hitler's mountain hideout. To get to the place you normally start in the Busbanhof Kehlseinhouse a few kilometers from Brechtesgaden. There a but bring you on a narrow road to the entrance of the place. N.B.: Only busses are allowed, you cannot go by car. From the parking (at 1700m) the entrance is quite dramatic. You don't see the hut but only a tunnel going into the mountain. The tunnel is at least 100m long and at the end of it there is a large waiting room giving way to a golden elevator. Very much like what you'd imagine the entrance to a Nazi hideout to be! The elevator brings you 120m up into the mountain and, when you exit, you are already inside the hut that is today a norm...

This post is a combination of two hikes in Südtirol, the German-speaking region of Italy. The first is a scenic stroll around  Santa Maddalena in Val di Funes , while the second is a  hike to the Monastero di Monte Sabiona  in  Chiusa (Klausen) , located just 20 minutes away at the entrance of Val di Funes. We did both on the same day, making for a great mix of nature, history, and culture. 🗺️ Overview  of the Two Hikes 1. Santa Maddalena Hike Starting point:  Small parking lot near the  San Giovanni in Ranui  chapel Highlights: Famous  Instagram-worthy  view of the chapel Visit to a  lesser-known chapel  along the way The  Santa Maddalena Church  with views of the Odle ridge Distance:  3 km Elevation gain:  150 m Highest point:  Santa Maddalena Church (1400 m) Duration:  1h30 (including photo stops) 2. Monastero di Monte Sabiona Hike Starting point:   Klausen (Chiusa) , behind the historic...

  This hike is actually two hikes that you can do separately — or connect if you have enough time and energy. The first one is  Il Sentiero dell'Olivo , which goes from a parking area just outside Lugano to Gandria, a former fishing village along the lake. The path is mostly flat with some gentle ups and downs. It’s a wide paved or gravel trail that offers great views of the lake, and there are informational panels along the way about the area's history. The last part of the hike leads through Gandria itself, where you’ll find ancient staircases, stone arches, and charming little cafés. We ended our hike near the restaurant  Le Bucce di Gandria  on the main road. From there, we simply went back. It’s about 2 km and 30 minutes one way (or closer to 45 minutes if you stop to take lots of photos, like we did). A more challenging option would be to cross the road and continue uphill to Monte Bré. About 1 hour and 15 minutes and 450 meters of elevation gain will get you t...

The "bisses" are old aquaducts that used to bring water to the villages. There are several in Valais that have been transformed into walking paths. Each has its own peculiarity but in general they have in common that, since they follow the aqusduct path, they have a gentle incline, perfect for families. And of course you hear the gurgling of water all the way which is relaxing. In  this website  you find information on all of them. Bisse du Trient, Trient (Near Martigny) Start point :  Col de la Forclaz, 1526m Destination : Chalet du Glacier, 1590m Highest point : Destination Distance : ~3.3 km one way Elevation  gain : ~60 m Time : ~1h one way Difficulty : Easy Download GPS file Bisse du Trient  is the gentler we have done, really perfect for families. You start in Col de la Forclaz above Martigny and the path is almost flat. In one hour you arrive at Chalet du Glacier, where you can stop for icecream. Below the Chalet there is also a wooden bridge on the river...