From Viconago to Pian della Nave
An excursion starting from the village of Viconago brings you into contact with an area of uncontaminated subalpine nature, a typically early Mediaeval urban settlement, and some remains of the famous Cadorna Line.
Once you have left the historic centre of Viconago, you will notice signs of an interesting form of urban settlement consisting of narrow streets and ancient houses: in fact, the village dates back to the early Middle Ages (10th-11th century). The path climbs towards Alpe Prada, on the left of the course of the river Tarca. Turning slightly left brings us to artillery positions, at seven hundred metres altitude.
Continuing upwards and in a south-westerly direction, in the space of about 300 metres horizontal distance you will climb a vertical distance of a hundred metres, reaching Alpe Foiora and its trenches.
At this point, the path turns eastwards, so that Monte Mezzano dominates it from above. On the valley side, there is an interesting system of fortifications, with shelter niches, ladders for climbing out of the trench, and machine-gun posts. Once you reach the meadows of Bocche di Noogh, you can take the mule track leading towards Alpe Cognolo. You meet the Italia path coming from Pian della Nave. Significant sights in the immediate vicinity include the Church of San Paolo: in addition, there is a splendid view over Ceresio and towards Switzerland, with the mountains of Valtellina in the background.
Towards the south, a level section of the path leads to Alpe Paci, at a height of 836 metres. Here, near the junction for Monte La Nave, there are impressive artillery positions, a fine demonstration of the way in which cement and local stone can be used, in combination with construction skill, to create fine, solid works.
Climbing further, you reach two small garrison buildings in stone, with two paths leading to the two entrances of the Monte La Nave observation point. Its slit windows look over the whole of the valley named Valle della Tresa, with fine views of the nearby Swiss territory.
Once you have left the historic centre of Viconago, you will notice signs of an interesting form of urban settlement consisting of narrow streets and ancient houses: in fact, the village dates back to the early Middle Ages (10th-11th century). The path climbs towards Alpe Prada, on the left of the course of the river Tarca. Turning slightly left brings us to artillery positions, at seven hundred metres altitude.
Continuing upwards and in a south-westerly direction, in the space of about 300 metres horizontal distance you will climb a vertical distance of a hundred metres, reaching Alpe Foiora and its trenches.
At this point, the path turns eastwards, so that Monte Mezzano dominates it from above. On the valley side, there is an interesting system of fortifications, with shelter niches, ladders for climbing out of the trench, and machine-gun posts. Once you reach the meadows of Bocche di Noogh, you can take the mule track leading towards Alpe Cognolo. You meet the Italia path coming from Pian della Nave. Significant sights in the immediate vicinity include the Church of San Paolo: in addition, there is a splendid view over Ceresio and towards Switzerland, with the mountains of Valtellina in the background.
Towards the south, a level section of the path leads to Alpe Paci, at a height of 836 metres. Here, near the junction for Monte La Nave, there are impressive artillery positions, a fine demonstration of the way in which cement and local stone can be used, in combination with construction skill, to create fine, solid works.
Climbing further, you reach two small garrison buildings in stone, with two paths leading to the two entrances of the Monte La Nave observation point. Its slit windows look over the whole of the valley named Valle della Tresa, with fine views of the nearby Swiss territory.
