Mount Zermula First World War Itinerary

The route begins behind the abandoned Financial Police's barracks on the pass, where CAI trail 442a starts and leads to Forca di Lanza (1,831 m). After passing a first junction without turning off, shortly afterwards, at the second one, turn right onto CAI trail 442. In this area, the first traces of trenches can already be seen. In front of you rises the majestic south-eastern face of the Zermula massif. After a few dozen metres, CAI trail 442 splits. To the left continues the normal route, while to the right a track heads straight towards the first rocks of the mountain. Although the latter is not marked as an official CAI trail, it is recommended, as it leads directly to the Via delle Trincee, a gravel path running below the ridge of Mount Zermula. In a short time, you reach a large inscription dating from 1916 and the entrance to a tunnel crossing the ridge. Continuing on, after a few hundred metres you come to a second tunnel leading to a triple observation post, from which it is possible to admire the northern mountains and the Passo di Cason di Lanza below. Once outside, the path passes the remains of protective walls and fortifications, while from this altitude the trenches previously seen at Forca di Lanza are clearly visible. After passing the start of the via ferrata, you first reach the eastern summit (2,129 m) and then, after climbing a grassy slope, the actual summit (2,143 m), marked by a summit cross. The open view offers a splendid panorama of the surrounding peaks. The descent then begins: retrace the same path along the grassy slope and, before rejoining the Via delle Trincee, turn right at the first junction, which quickly leads back to CAI trail 442. This route, which despite having a few exposed points presents no particular difficulty, leads to a shrine dedicated to the Susa Battalion and then continues to the fork encountered earlier on the way up. From there, take CAI trail 442a in the opposite direction and in less than an hour return once again to Passo di Cason di Lanza.