Monte Verena Historic WWI Trail (via CAI 820)

Simple circular excursion starting from the car parks of the Monte Verena ski lifts. Walking on easy paths and comfortable forest roads you reach the top of Monte Verena where there is the fort of the same name which played an important role in the first weeks of the Great War: from here the first cannon shot was fired by the Italian army against the Austro-Hungarian opponent. The descent takes place on a steep path that follows the ski slope. For more information I recommend seeing the video of the excursion proposed by @Luca - I Diari dello Scarpone.

The Verena ring is a classic of the Asiago Plateau, bringing together the characteristics of a typical route in the territory of the Seven Municipalities: evidence of the Great War, dirt forest roads (former military roads), paths in dense forests of tall spruce trees, particular karst rock formations, sinkholes, mountain pastures, cows, mountain huts, green meadows, breathtaking views, peace and uncontaminated nature... The climb begins gently on a long and wide forest road, and then continues, after Malga Verena, on a forest path: the last part is quite steep and demanding. Short detour to Rossapoan, an exposed promontory that offers a beautiful panorama of the underlying and overhanging Val d'Assa and the skyline of the northern peaks of the Plateau, with the majestic Portule in the foreground. Fort Verena is masterfully perched on the rocks of the abyss, and still features the chasm of the Austrian grenade that tore it apart in 1915: from the roof you can enjoy a unique and privileged 360° view of the entire plateau... not surprisingly he was nicknamed 'the Ruler of the Plateau'! You return immediately facing a steep descent parallel to the ski slope, then continuing on a forest road and ending on a (short) asphalt road. I have two notes on this tour, which is nevertheless beautiful and invigorating: it runs a lot (too much) on dirt roads; the fort is besieged by the refuge, by the satellite dishes, by a sheet metal shed, by the cable car systems... disturbing elements that take away the suggestion and 'sacredness' of the site.

Departure: Casara di Campovecchio, just before the Verenetta ski lifts, Mezzaselva Going uphill, follow the signs for the CAI 820 trail to Mount Verena. The trail is mostly a mule track, except for a short stretch in the woods that climbs steeply, after the Spiller abyss and up to Mount Rossapoan. Going downhill, follow the signs for Casara di Campovecchio, taking the trail that descends along the ski slope. I recommend doing the loop in an anti-clockwise direction