Passo Volaia First World War Itinerary

The route starts from Rifugio Tolazzi (1,350 metres above sea level), which can be reached by car after passing through Collina, a hamlet of Forni Avoltri. Behind the hut begins the old military road which, in ten minutes, leads to the junction where CAI trails 143 and 144 start. Turn left onto CAI trail 144 and climb towards Passo Volaia. Those who wish may, after the fourth hairpin bend, take the shortcut on the right marked “Scorciatoia sentiero CAI 144”, which is slightly steeper and less panoramic. After about an hour’s walk, the view opens out towards the pass and the imposing faces of Mount Coglians and Mount Capolago.

Once you reach the junction between the main path and the shortcut (1,640 metres above sea level), the ascent becomes slightly steeper, but allows you to quickly reach a small promontory (1,900 metres above sea level) where the remains of Italian military buildings stand, the first traces of the First World War at Passo Volaia. After passing the junction with the Spinotti trail, continue straight on and within 10 minutes you will reach Rifugio Lambertenghi-Romanin, dedicated to two soldiers who died here during the First World War, and Passo Volaia (1,977 metres above sea level), with its splendid turquoise lake and the imposing Italian trench line, recently brought back to light. Inside it, it is possible to discover a 32 mm gun position and a machine-gun and 42 mm cannon position. More experienced hikers may also follow a track climbing towards the western face of Mount Coglians to reach a tunnelled military position.

Once outside the trench system, continue towards the lakeshore (1,950 metres above sea level). Following the shore, in 10 minutes you reach Rifugio Pichl and the monument to the Carinthian Volunteers standing on the Frauenhügel, the rocky knoll above it. From here it is also possible to observe the peaks rising behind Mount Capolago, such as Sasso Nero, Mount Volaia and Biegen Köpfe. The itinerary concludes by completing the circuit of the lake and taking CAI trail 144 again, which in just over an hour leads back to Rifugio Tolazzi.