An old military road to Cima di Morissolo
Italy, europe
1.7 km
1,311 m
moderate
Year-round
# Cima di Morissolo: A Historic Alpine Adventure
Tucked away in Piedmont's Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, right near the Swiss border, sits Cima di Morissolo—a 1,311m (4,301ft) peak that's basically a time capsule of WWI military history. The summit is crowned with the Fortificazione del Morissolo, and you're surrounded by the remnants of the Cadorna Line, an entire defensive network of trenches, artillery positions, and mule tracks built in 1916 to guard against a potential German invasion through Switzerland.
The 1.7 km (1.05 miles) journey from Piancavallo to the top takes you along the Sentiero Strada Cadorna—an unpaved military road that feels authentically rugged and atmospheric. Just heads up: it's closed to regular cars, and those old unlit tunnels carved into the mountainside add a genuinely eerie vibe to the experience.
Once you reach the summit's famous "three crosses," you're rewarded with absolutely stunning views stretching across Lake Maggiore. On a clear day, you can take in Cannero, Luino, and the entire southern shore of the lake—a view that definitely justifies the trek through that historic, tunnel-laden path. It's the kind of drive that blends adventure, history, and natural beauty into one unforgettable experience.
Where is it?
An old military road to Cima di Morissolo is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 41.8139, 12.6715
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 1.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,311 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 41.8139, 12.6715
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