Historical-military themed trail of Monte della Croce

The trailhead is located in Pian di Gembro, opposite the agriturismo La Quercia Antica. It is a historical-military track dating back to World War I, easily walkable, well documented by a series of explanatory panels. It was part of the Cadorna Line for the defense of national borders in case of an Austrian attack. The tunnels and trenches of Monte della Croce were part of the “Poschiavino Barrier” and the “Aprica Pass Garrison,” aimed at defending central Valtellina and the important Aprica pass, which connected the Valtellina sector with that of upper Val Camonica. It is important to remember the construction of a fort in the Canali area, built in the homonymous location above Tirano, which with its 149 mm guns dominated the valley and the Poschiavo railway. From a naturalistic viewpoint, the prevailing tree species are firs, Scots pines, larches, birches and, in the undergrowth, black bilberry. At the end of the route, from a viewpoint, you can admire the spectacular size and extent of the peat bog.

The trail can also be accessed starting from the dirt road bordering the Pian di Gembro Natural Reserve. The signboard indicating the start is positioned by the roadside beyond the educational classroom heading west.