Col di Lana #21

Dogs Unknown

Features Cave · Historical Significance · Spring · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Lots of loose rocks and pebbles make it east to slip.

This trail is best accessed by driving from Pieve di Livinallongo up to the small village of Palla. You'll be driving up Località Pieve, which is a two-way road that only has enough space for one vehicle, however there are spots to pull over to let oncoming traffic by. You'll come up to a parking area on your right, with a kiosk. Park here and run up the road to the trailhead, which will be on your left. There will be a kiosk at the trailhead. Follow the n.21 signs with the red/white/red blazes throughout the run.

The trail starts on what is mostly a gravel road. There are some cut throughs you can take to skip a couple of the switch backs, labeled .21A, which you can take as well. There is a fresh spring on your right about a quarter of the way up before you get into the more steep climbing on singletrack. Once you are on the singletrack you'll be more on a traditional running trail to the top. There is a picnic table and bench about halfway up that you can stop, rest and enjoy the views.

Aside from the stunning nature of running in the Dolomites, this trail packs historical significance from World War I. At it's elevation of 8,045 ft, Col di Lana is where some of the bloodiest fighting took place between the Italians and Austrians during World War I in 1915-1916. Col di Lana was a strategic position amongst the frontline positions in the Dolomites. On November 8th, 1915, through fierce fighting, the Italians took the position on Col di Lana from the Austro-Hungarian Army. However, the Italians could not hold it, and it fell back into the hands of the Austrians the very next day. Over the winter, many lost their lives due to the ailments and even avalanches.

Soon after, fighting resumed and since no progress was being made the Italians started drilling and blasting mines underneath the summit. Austrians attempted to drill a counter mine, however, it was too far away to do any good and the Italians took the summit again. Still, Austrians never lost positions on the nearby Mount Sief. In the notch south of it they blasted the strongest mine which prevented Italian breakthrough. The crater is seen still today - the memorial path goes just through it. Thousands of young men lost their lives on this mountain, and no tactical advantage was ever gained. Towards the summit you'll pass several memorials that stand, a chapel on the summit and another memorial off to the right.