This is an easy hike, suitable to everyone, combining beautiful nature with Great War locations.
The starting point of this hike is Passo Nota (Nota Pass), at 1200 meters altitude. First of all, you’ll have to make your way to Vesio, then take the road that enters the Bondo Valley. From there, a narrow road climbs up to the pass with about 16 hairpin bends, reaching the mountain hut managed by Alpini group of Vesio, the ideal point to leave your car.
Passo Nota was used over the centuries as a place of transit for men and armies. Among the fights that took place there, the one in 1848 is worth mentioning, when Carlo Pisacane was wounded, as well as the one taking place in 1866, when the Garibaldi volunteers were attacked before the battle of Bezzecca.
Fifty meters after the Alpini mountain hut, turn right following path 421 in the direction of Bocca dei Fortini (on the left, the trail descends into Val di Ledro). After 15 minutes on a comfortable track you will reach Passo Bestana (1,274 m) where you’ll find a small checkpoint of the Austrian border guard. Continue to Val Cerese, on path 106, with its stables and military buildings.
Afterwards, return to the Alpini refuge at Passo Nota following a recovered path. During the Great War, between 1915 and 1918, this area was one of the most important points of the first Italian defense line. Near the mountain hut, you can still visit the sub-sector command, the famous concrete trench, as well as trenches, infirmaries, barracks for military commands and for the troops, that were all built by the soldiers. Everything that can be seen is still in a good state of conservation today.
Not far from the pass there is also a small military cemetery where fallen soldiers are laid to rest.
