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Home » Road of the 52 Galleries: stories of war on the Pasubio.
In 1917, resupplying and communicating with the Italian troops perched on Mount Pasubio was becoming more complicated day by day. The Scarrubi Road was yes accessible to motorized traffic, but only during the summer period, and above all it was exposed to Austrian cannon fire. This was the reason why between February and November the 33rd Miner Company of the Italian Army accomplished a masterpiece of military engineering, considering the conditions, the time and the speed of execution.
Thus was born the 52 Tunnels Road, sheltered from enemy fire, 6.5 km long, more than 2 km of which are in tunnels dug into the rock.
A breathtaking route with numerous viewpoints that allow you to appreciate an ever-changing natural scenery, ranging from ridges, spires, precipices and other mountain ranges to gentle slopes and plains. The tunnels are numbered and each bears the name of one of the men or brigades who walked through them daily, wondering how much longer that terrible war would last.
Technical description:
It starts from Bocchetta Campiglia, where an entrance portal marks the beginning of the 52 Galleries Road. After a hundred meters, having traveled a few hairpin bends, the mule track leads to the first tunnel. The initial section climbs rapidly in altitude, between pinnacles and cliffs, entering rock and overlooking vertiginous peaks. The tunnels have different conformations and some of them have openings that were used, in addition to lighting, as gun emplacements (in No. 8 one can be seen).
At the 16th tunnel (km 1.6) an altitude of 1580 m is reached. (The starting point is located at 1220 m.). Instead, between the 18th and 19th tunnels are mine shafts that, in an extreme case, could have blown up that section of the route. The 19th tunnel, on the other hand, is the longest and most challenging, with as much as 320 meters of travel, while the exit from the 20th gives spectacular views.
It continues to climb to Tunnels Nos. 31, 32 and 33 (km 3 – 3.5), where it reaches an altitude of 1900 meters, passing the Camossara Valley with a wide turn that cuts its steep slopes at half-slope. After that, the mule track continues almost level for about 1 km, along a magnificent section carved into the precipitous rock, reaching 2000 mt at the 48th tunnel. We are now at the end of the trail, which in another km ends at the Achille Papa Refuge.
From here you can return to the starting point along the scenic Scarrubi Road (about 2 1/2 hours’ walk).
Length: 6 km
Uphill elevation gain: 820 m
Downhill elevation gain: 130 m
Highest point: 1997 m
Lowest point: 1220 m
Technical tips:
While it does not present any particular difficulties, it is important to exercise care and caution in not leaning over the road or venturing into secondary tunnels (half-collapsed or dangerous).
Mountain clothing is recommended and it is essential to bring a flashlight to penetrate the dark tunnels, where the dripping water also makes some sections slippery.
It is absolutely forbidden to ride the 52 Tunnel Road on a mountain bike.
Commune of departure:
Valli del Pasubio
Starting location:
Campiglia Mouth
Municipality of arrival:
Posina
Finish location:
Achille Papa Refuge
Recommended period:
From April to October. Absolutely not recommended during winter, when snowdrifts can completely obstruct tunnel entrances.
Where to park:
At the starting point at Bocchetta Campiglia (paid parking).
Useful links:
http://www.stradadellegallerie.it
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