Monte Piana was one of the most fiercely contested fronts of the Great War. Today it is a vast open-air museum with restored trenches, tunnels and military walkways.
The walk mixes history with exceptional scenery over the Tre Cime and the Cadini, and you can take a jeep shuttle for the first part of the climb.
How to get there — Lago di Misurina (1.754 m)
You start from Lago di Misurina, at 1,754 m, reached by car on the state road climbing from Auronzo di Cadore or from Passo Tre Croci on the Cortina side. There are paid car parks around the lake. From here a former military road of about 5 km climbs to Rifugio Bosi, at 2,205 m, the threshold of the historic trails. If you want to save your legs and time, take the jeep-shuttle service, which leaves near the Genzianella restaurant and covers the climb in a quarter of an hour. Otherwise the road is walked in full, with its 450 m of climbing. Misurina is also served by the Cadore scheduled buses.
The trailhead is in the Auronzo e Misurina area. Check the travel guide for lift schedules, parking and access rules.
Stage by stage
1. Ascent to Rifugio Bosi
Climb to the hut, the starting point for the network of historical trails.
2. Trench circuit
Walk the trench system between Monte Piana Nord and Monte Piana Sud.
When to go & weather
June to October is the ideal period, when the trenches, tunnels and walkways are clear of snow and safe to walk. Summer gives the most settled days and the most crowds, especially at weekends and during historical re-enactments. Autumn brings clear air and raking light, perfect on the Tre Cime opposite. Climb in the morning, both to dodge the afternoon thunderstorms common at altitude and to tour the open-air museum at leisure, because it deserves hours rather than minutes. Early in the season some snowfields can linger in the shaded hollows of the plateau.
Recommended gear
- Trekking boots with good grip. The ground alternates rock, gravel and grass
- A head torch, a must for entering the war tunnels
- Layered clothing with a windproof jacket. The wind often blows on the plateau at 2,300 m
- Water and a snack, even though there is a refreshment service at Rifugio Bosi
- Sun cream and a hat, as the plateau is almost entirely open
Useful tips
- Download the map of the historic trails beforehand. It helps you find your way between Piana Nord and Piana Sud
- Do not forget the torch. Some tunnels dug during the Great War are long and dark
- If you are with children or want to save the climbing, take the jeep-shuttle up to Rifugio Bosi
- Respect the relics and walkways and take nothing away. This is a protected place of remembrance
- Leave time for the viewpoint over the Tre Cime and Cadini, among the most spectacular in the area
- A guided visit changes everything. The events of 1915-1917 come to life in front of the positions
Huts and rest points
- Rifugio Bosi al Monte Piana (2205 m) — Si parte da qui per girare le trincee della Grande Guerra sul Monte Piana. Details →
Frequently asked questions
Is Monte Piana suitable for children?
Yes. The route is easy and tells you a lot about the history of these places thanks to the open-air museum. To cut down the effort you can go up by jeep-shuttle to Rifugio Bosi.
Can you go up Monte Piana by jeep?
Yes. A jeep-shuttle links Misurina to Rifugio Bosi along the old military road in about a quarter of an hour and saves you the 450 metres of height gain. From the refuge you then walk the trench loop at your ease.
How long does the trench loop on Monte Piana take?
From Rifugio Bosi the loop of the historic sites closes in a good couple of hours on an easy path; the time grows a lot if you stop to explore tunnels, positions and the open-air museum panels. Anyone walking up from Misurina should allow a day of about four hours in all.
Do you need a guide to visit the Monte Piana open-air museum?
No, it is not compulsory: the routes are signposted and full of panels. That said, a guided visit makes the difference, because it helps you understand how they fought at over 2,300 metres and how hard that front was.