Stelvio Historical Trek: Hike from the 4th Road Maintenance Station – Forcola Pass – 3rd Road Maintenance Station

The hike to Bocchetta di Forcola begins at the IV Cantoniera (approx. 2,490 m above sea level), which served as a forward headquarters for Italian troops during World War I. Following an easy trail with little elevation gain, you reach the “Foppe della Mogenaggia” (approx. 2,600 m above sea level), a series of broad plateaus used primarily for grazing. From here, the trail climbs to Bocchetta di Forcola (2,768 m above sea level), the highest point of the hike. Bocchetta served as one of the most important defensive positions against potential Imperial breakthroughs along the Braulio Valley. This is evidenced by the many remains found here, the most spectacular of which are a trench reinforced with thick concrete armor—an unusual feature—and several cave-based gun emplacements. A short descent leads to the Caserma below (2,741 m a.s.l.). The return follows the ascent route to the Foppe della Mogenaccia, then along the historic military mule trails to the III Cantoniera. The first part of the hike winds through beautiful pastures and across several small valleys at the foot of Piz Umbrail, a spectacular ridge with a “Dolomite-like” appearance along which the border with Switzerland runs. In the final section, you walk through a wide basin overlooked by Monte Braulio and Punta di Rims. In addition to its historical significance, the route is particularly interesting from a naturalistic perspective. In summer, you can appreciate the rich flora resulting from the variety of substrates. The fauna is no less diverse. Along the route, there are several colonies of marmots, and you may encounter an ermine or a white hare. On the cliffs above, you can spot chamois and ibex, and it’s not uncommon to see large birds of prey soaring over the area.