During the First World War, Cima Bocche was a key point in the Austrian defence of the Valle di San Pellegrino and the battlefield has remained well-preserved: the caves, trenches and barracks still retain their original appearance. We follow the path marked no. 628 from the pass, continuing more and more uphill towards the west, below the slopes of Col Margherita and Cima Juribrutto. At an altitude of 2,267 metres (the fork to Col de le Palùe), turn left and ascend to Forcella di Juribrutto. From here, follow path no. 626 and descend slightly to a stony hollow. Keeping to the right, climb up along the gravel that cuts the eastern flank of the rocky gully. After about 40 minutes, we reach the long southeast ridge of Bocche, next to a high stone cairn, at an altitude of 2,550 m. The ascent continues northwards along path no. 626 and soon arrive at Cima Bocche (2,745 m). For the journey back, we follow the same trail.

Reference refuge:

• Malga San Pellegrino

This equipped trail combines magnificent views and interesting historical sites from the Great War. It is a demanding hike that starts from Passo San Pellegrino at about 1,800 m and reaches an altitude of 2,300-2,500 m for the entire route. From the end of the Costabella chairlift, we reach the Passo delle Selle hut following path no. 616, established in the First World War. Continue on an equipped path to the Ricoletta pass (approx. 2.5 hours from Passo delle Selle). From here, it is possible to descend towards Fango on path no. 616/b (approx. 1.5 hrs.), or continue to Cima Malinverno and Forcella della Costella (1.5 hrs. from Forcella Ricoletta) to descend to Ronchi via path no. 624 and continue to Moena. We recommend using a safety rope and organising transport.

Reference refuge:

• Rifugio Passo Selle

For this route, two trail options are possible:

Option 1

From Passo di San Pellegrino, take the path marked no. 628, which, passing near the alpine meadow of the same name, enters on the level into the woods at the foot of the northern slope of Col Margherita. After a little while, we leave the forest and continue slightly uphill over wide pastures in the direction of the saddle below Col Palui, which is reached in just over an hour.

The path narrows and crosses a steep slope at the foot of the Cima Juribrutto wall until it meets a more open path that ascends from the Valle di San Pellegrino (2,308 m). After crossing a section strewn with dark boulders, we arrive at Forcella Juribrutto (2,375 m – 1.5 hours), where there is a useful makeshift shelter. From the Forcella, take the Alta Via della Mariotta path, following the signs for Col Margherita. The poorly metalled but well-signposted track climbs up the slightly sloping southern flank of Cima Juribrutto and soon leads to a fork (2,470 m – 2.25 hours) from where it is possible to climb to the summit of Cima Juribrutto by crossing numerous remains of fences and barracks from World War I.
After returning to the crossroads, we resume the up-and-down traverse amidst large lastroni (slabs) that make the walk a little tiring, arriving near the remains of a group of barracks dating back to the Great War (2,517 m) and continue towards Col Margherita. After a section on steeper terrain (spring), we come to a small fork on the main ridge (2,525 m) from which a steep path leads up to Cima Juribrutto from this side.

We soon reach the wide Forcella Vallazza (2521 m – 4 hours) from where we continue for a long time up and down on the wide and very scenic grassy ridge, passing several peaks until suddenly the InAlto refuge appears, integrated into the Col Margherita cable car station (2,521 m) just a few metres below the summit of the same name (2,550 m – 5 hours).

From here there are several possibilities: one can descend to the pass by cable car or by the track that runs along the steep ski slope.

Option 2

The hike starts with the departure from the Col Margherita cable car, which takes just a few minutes to an altitude of 2,550 metres. From here, one can follow the path marked Alta Via Mariotta, which follows the ridge in a westerly direction. Before starting the route, however, we can enjoy the view from two scenic balconies equipped with benches and information panels about the surrounding peaks and their geological description. The terrain is composed of quartz porphyry, a volcanic rock also used in road construction. Along the route, one can find numerous remains of trenches and outposts that housed Italian troops on the Bocche front during the war. After about two hours, we reach Juribrutto peak (2,697 m), surrounded by trenches and the remains of military posts. For the return journey, one can take path no. 628 down to the Val de Sèn Pelegrin and then down the Col Margherita cable car.

Reference refuge:

• InAlto Refuge

A wonderfully scenic and historical trail, equipped with fixed ropes and wooden ladders, which follows the old Austrian trails of the First World War. One passes through tunnels, wooden staircases and passages, and machine gun emplacements: a true open-air historical museum. There are also remarkable points of scenic interest with a 360° view of all the Dolomite groups of the Val di Fassa: the Latemar, the Catinaccio, the Sasso Piatto, the Sella, the Marmolada and the Monzoni.

From Passo di San Pellegrino we ascend to high altitude via the Costabella chairlift. Once at the top station of the chairlift, we walk to the Rifugio Passo Selle (2,510 m), about an hour and 15 minutes away. We then continue along path no. 637 that immediately climbs steeply northwards to the summit of Piccolo Lastei (2,697 m). After a small saddle, we pass through a low, stepped gallery and with several ascents and descents, through the numerous war tunnels and caverns carved into the rock to Gran Lastei (2,716 m) and then, after crossing a small wall thanks to two rungs and wire ropes, to Cima della Campagnaccia (2,737 m).

After a short descent, a wooden staircase and a very low tunnel lead to a pass (the last route back to the Passo di San Pellegrino). We cross over exposed slabs (the most challenging point of the via ferrata) and descend slightly to the foot of Sass De Costabella (Italian observation post). An easy and well-rigged gully leads up and into the observatory via a wooden footbridge over a sheer drop. For the return journey, we descend to the Ciadin pass (2,664 m), from where we return to the top station of the Costabella chairlift via path no. 637. From here, one can descend using the lift or via the path through the meadows, then back to the car park of the Chalet Cima Uomo. The majority of the route is a normal high-altitude path; however, in the most exposed or tricky passages, there is a wire cable that allow one to proceed safely.

Reference refuges:

• Rifugio Passo Selle
• Baita Paradiso