In just a little over an hour's walk, following trail SAT 213A, you can reach the historic position that once housed the 15-cm Skoda cannon installed by Austrian troops to defend the front.
Since 2008, when both the emplacement and the cannon were restored, the ‘Bocchetta del Cannone’ has become a highly popular destination for mountaineers and hikers heading up to the Rifugio Carè Alto hut.
Leaving the shelter, you embark not merely on a hike, but on a true journey back in time, retracing the steps of those who faced not only the enemy, but also one of the harshest environments imaginable. The path winds its way through a landscape dominated by rock and glacial silence, once shattered by the din of war. Every step towards the ‘Bocchetta del Cannone’ pays tribute to the drama and ingenuity of humankind. It is here that the most astonishing and arduous aspect of the White War is revealed: soldiers of the Austro-Hungarian Army accomplished the titanic feat of hauling an impressive 15-cm Skoda cannon, piece by piece, to these heights, where thin air and exertion test every breath.
Standing beside the emplacement, built with immeasurable effort, one senses both the bravery and despair of those who, between 1915 and 1918, turned the Adamello massif into an icy battlefield. Strategically positioned, the cannon served to defend the area, dominating valleys and glaciers that became the stage for bitter fighting.
Today, silence has returned, broken only by the wind. No longer a place of conflict, the ‘Bocchetta’ is now a site of reflection. Reaching it, means experiencing a piece of history first-hand, while marvelling at the grandeur of the surrounding peaks and honouring the memory of those who fought on the roof of the world.
Please note that, to access this route, you must first walk the section leading from Pian de la Sega (1,250 m) to the Rifugio Carè Alto “Dante Ongari” mountain hut (2,450 m). This 5 km long section involves 1,200 m of elevation gain and takes approx. 3 hours of hiking. For further details, see: Val di Borzago - La Via delle Valli.
