Anyone who has spent some time in the world of hiking surely knows the trekking of the 52 tunnels of Pasubio.
This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful routes in all of Veneto and northern Italy.
Explaining it to those unfamiliar isn’t easy, but we can try to summarize it simply by putting it this way.
The road of the 52 tunnels of Pasubio is nothing more than a mule track several kilometers long.
It was carved into bare rock by Italian army regiments during World War I, many of them thanks to our organized groups.
For this reason, today we are here to try to summarize all the most important information you need to know before visiting the 52 tunnels of Pasubio on a great trek.
The History Behind the 52 Tunnels on Pasubio
In 1917, in the midst of World War I, the Italian army embarked on a very special project.
This was described as ” agiant feat” by both local and international press.
No other European front could boast a work of such scale for courage and grand design. This was the first breath of what today are the fifty-two tunnels on Pasubio.
Mount Pasubio was occupied by Italian troops during 1915, following what was then called the Scarrubbi road..
This mule track connected Passo Xomo with the gates of Pasubio and was strategically important for logistical support of the troops, so it was quickly turned into a drivable road. With the Austrian advance on the ridge opposite this road, problems delivering supplies to the Italians on the front increased dramatically.
The military engineers then thought of a solution costly in terms of manpower but impregnable otherwise: creating a new route to reach the gates of Pasubio.
Work began in March 1917 and finished nineteen months later, with enormous effort from the army.
The new road, 6.3 kilometers long, has over 30% of its path distributed along 52 tunnels carved into the mountain.
The goal of this effort was clear: to create a new supply line for the Italian army. The road has a minimum width of 2.2 meters, allowing two pack mules to pass simultaneously. The effort was particularly massive also because the entire road was made by mining work, all with a 12% gradient. To ensure good usability of the tunnels, the army committed to electrically lighting all the tunnels.
What You Need to Know Before You Go
To do a great trek on the 52 tunnels of Pasubio, you need to prepare a bit more than for any other stage. The reasons are simple: this route is not a classic path: it is high mountain, it is also indoors, on a narrow road at a notably high altitude.
The first thing to know is that along the 52 tunnels of Pasubio there are no refreshment points or water sources.The only refreshment point is at Rifugio Achille Papa, at the gates of Pasubio at the end of the 52 tunnels road. Here you can also refill water, essential to return to the start of the route without dehydration.
The 52 tunnels road of Pasubio is always open, regardless of weather conditions. It goes without saying that the route is much easier to tackle during summer or spring; in autumn it’s common to encounter rain and biting cold winds, while in winter snow is present daily at these altitudes.
The road is not the easiest: the 52 tunnels trek of Pasubio is mostly on gravel road (it is always a mule track) and inside the tunnels, with humidity and water, it tends to be slipperyespecially on the cobblestones.
Since some tunnels have rather low ceilings, many hikers bring a protective helmet, to avoid unpleasant surprises. The helmet is not a universal solution, though; with some care and a flashlight, these problems can be avoided. The flashlight, in particular, is very important since the tunnels, unlike in the past, are no longer equipped with electric lighting.!
Watch Out for Heights
If you suffer from vertigo, it’s best not to do the 52 tunnels trek of Pasubio.!
The reasons are simple: the road is very narrow, at most a couple of meters wide, and the path is completely without protective railings..
The average height of the cliffs is about ten meters, enough to send chills down the spine of those who suffer from vertigo.
The route, consequently, is mainly recommended for adults and teenagers accustomed to mountain hiking.
The road can be traveled only on foot,due to past fatal accidents involving cyclists who attempted the route.
What to Wear?
To best face the 52 tunnels trek of Pasubio, it’s wise to prepare your clothing.
Besides the always essential hiking boots (indispensable to limit falls, especially on the muddy cobblestones inside the tunnels), the use of trekking poles is highly recommended. Regarding clothing, it’s good to know that the first part of the route is exposed to the sun and the elements.
This translates simply: during summer, it’s good to have a sweatshirt and a hat,during spring a good rain jacket and a reinforcing jacket, to avoid feeling cold.
After all, we are still at 2000 meters altitude.