Historic trails of the Alps

Most mountain paths are recent tracks, first opened by shepherds and valley inhabitants, then consolidated by the Alpine Clubs and local authorities. But some paths have more complex or ancient histories, from old mule tracks to military roads, bearing witness to the different roles these routes have played over the centuries. They were often used for strategic purposes, such as reaching alpine villages and defence in wartime, or to make trade (or smuggling) and communication between valleys easier.

Some of the routes in this section have ancient histories, such as the Via Mala cut into the Cardinello gorge, which saw Napoleonic troops pass through. Many routes have a military background, often linked to the First World War, such as the Linea Cadorna, a system of fortifications and trenches built between 1916 and 1918 along the border between Italy and Switzerland, or the spectacular Strada delle 52 Gallerie. On these paths we can see up close the traces left by the troops and reflect on the hardships and challenges soldiers faced in such harsh surroundings.

Walking the historic trails of the Alps is especially fascinating because it lets you immerse yourself in a kind of open-air museum. Along these routes, hikers can discover remarkable works of engineering, such as bridges, tunnels and terraces, that bear witness to the skill and tenacity of the people who built and travelled these routes over the centuries.