Monte Pravello
Like Monte Orsa, Monte Pravello has many structures that were once part of the Cadorna Line and originally formed a labyrinth of defensive fortifications, well-preserved still today.
On one hand, the best time to visit Monte Pravello is certainly spring, because the vegetation has not yet obscured the remains of the military fortifications. However it has to be said that in autumn, the falling leaves make it easier to identify the structures in the forests, though care has to be taken in order not to trip in the holes that may have formed inside the walkways.
A particularly worthwhile visit is a walk up to Monte Pravello. You take a mule track that leads past the tunnel-mounted artillery post and on up to the ridge, continuing with an easy walk up to the summit of Monte Pravello (1,015 metres). On the way, you will see trenches, machine-gun posts, and shelters, part of a labyrinthine series of fortifications (the Cadorna Line) built in such a way as to exploit the natural topography of the ridge that drops steeply down towards the lake, and its natural buttresses. Where additional construction work was necessary, it was built using the local limestone, and this greatly helped in camouflaging the masonry structures.
Also on the way to the Pravello summit, you will see steps and tunnels, while going down towards the left there are walkways and machine-gun posts. A downhill gravel path leads to gun positions, tunnel-mounted artillery posts, machine-gun posts and trenches leading to the metalled military road coming up from Viggiù. The flora in this mountain area consists mainly of chestnuts and ash.
On one hand, the best time to visit Monte Pravello is certainly spring, because the vegetation has not yet obscured the remains of the military fortifications. However it has to be said that in autumn, the falling leaves make it easier to identify the structures in the forests, though care has to be taken in order not to trip in the holes that may have formed inside the walkways.
A particularly worthwhile visit is a walk up to Monte Pravello. You take a mule track that leads past the tunnel-mounted artillery post and on up to the ridge, continuing with an easy walk up to the summit of Monte Pravello (1,015 metres). On the way, you will see trenches, machine-gun posts, and shelters, part of a labyrinthine series of fortifications (the Cadorna Line) built in such a way as to exploit the natural topography of the ridge that drops steeply down towards the lake, and its natural buttresses. Where additional construction work was necessary, it was built using the local limestone, and this greatly helped in camouflaging the masonry structures.
Also on the way to the Pravello summit, you will see steps and tunnels, while going down towards the left there are walkways and machine-gun posts. A downhill gravel path leads to gun positions, tunnel-mounted artillery posts, machine-gun posts and trenches leading to the metalled military road coming up from Viggiù. The flora in this mountain area consists mainly of chestnuts and ash.
