Along the Stelvio Historical Trek routes, you can experience the Stelvio National Park, in the Bormio area, and discover many traces of WW1.
Trails that recount the First World War
The park has several trails that recount the history of the First World War, which was fought in extreme conditions, amidst snow and ice at high altitude. A network of trails winds through the Park reaching altitudes of over 3,000m and there are trenches carved into the rock, the remains of military villages and artillery positions. There are are three options designed for different levels of fitness.
Three routes of varying difficulty
The easiest route, suitable for families and less experienced hikers, takes around two hours and 40 minutes, and covers 5.8 kilometres with an elevation gain of 436m, leading to the military village of Le Buse. At this carefully restored site, seventeen buildings arranged in a semicircle, artillery emplacements and a dense network of trenches tell the story of the daily life of soldiers’ at high altitude.
Credits Giacomo Meneghello
Old military settlements and trenches
The more difficulty route covers eight kilometres with 797m of elevation gain, takes around three and a half hours and reaches an altitude of 3,092m. The route passes through an old military settlement and a historic Italian observation post, barbed-wire fences that are still visible as are frontline positions and trenches at Passo delle Platigliole. The Piz Umbrail and Forcola di Rims circular route is reserved for experienced hikers: approximately 11 kilometres with a total elevation gain of 700m. The route takes around four and a half hours and requires a good level of fitness and suitable equipment. The trail, which should only be undertaken in favourable weather conditions, reaches the 3,031m summit of Piz Umbrail between Italy and Switzerland and with views of the Ortles-Cevedale massif.
Organized hikes with guides
The Stelvio National Park is also organizing four events open to all: on 18 August “Gavia Pass–Monte Gaviola” and on 1 September “Le Buse: in the limestone silence of memory and wildlife”. For information and bookings, please contact the Park’s information centre (0342 900823) or Bormio Tourism (0342 903300). The Bormio Alpine Guides will be leading the hikes on 8 August (Cime dei Forni) and 22 August (Monte Scorluzzo and Filon dei Mot, the “Machu Picchu of the Alps”). To join them, simply send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 351 8895411. The “Thursday Treks – Walking Through History” (Trekking with a GUIDE! - Santa Caterina Valfurva Impianti) are back in Santa Caterina Valfurva: every Thursday until 3 September, via the cable car and accompanied by Mid-Mountain Guides. To book, please call 351 8895411 or 0342 925116. For information and full technical details: https://www.bormio.eu/it/cosa-fare/outdoor/trekking/itinerari-storici
