‘The Battle of Melino’ Itinerary – The Great War Itineraries

This route offers not only a demanding hiking experience, but also rewards hikers with spectacular panoramic views and significant historical interest linked to the presence of Italian Army military posts.
More than a century has passed since combat took place on the Monte Melino mountain: on one side, the defence of a thousand-year-old border; on the other side, the attempt to break through the defence lines. The Italian Army led the attack, while the Austro-Hungarian troops fought in defence. The itinerary runs along the southern slopes of the Monte Melino mountain and leads to the Italian positions near the summit. The route presents no technical difficulties, but does require significant physical effort, especially when tackled uphill. Covering a distance of just over 7 kilometres, the ascent exceeds 600 metres of elevation gain, with an average gradient of around 21%. The hike follows an easy, well-marked path that offers stunning panorama points with views extending as far as the Lago d’Idro lake. The trail then joins an old Italian military road traced along the southern flank of the Monte Melino mountain, eventually reaching the stone barracks of the Italian posts.
Not to be missed: the “Cappella dei Morti” (Chapel of the Dead).
Built in 1836, the chapel was a gift from the local population in honour of Our Lady of Grace. It symbolised gratitude rooted in the belief that the community had been protected from the dangers of a cholera outbreak. In fact, the story goes that forty townspeople, who had first emigrated to Venice for work and then fled to return to Castel Condino, were placed in quarantine at Dosso dei Morti in order to prevent contagion spreading to the village. Sadly, all forty died and were buried on the site where the chapel stands today.
Legend has it that the Virgin Mary herself pointed out the place where the chapel was to be built, causing a rose to bloom on ground completely covered in snow.
In 1889, the building was restored and expanded with the addition of a portico. Inside, paintings depicting the story of the plague have been preserved.