This trail goes to Monte Corno along Stützpunkt Perlone and Busa dei Capitani, some of the strongholds along the Austro-Hungarian front line during the Great War.
The trail climbs through olive groves and chestnut woods to the summit of Monte Corno. A panoramic and therefore strategic position overlooking the pass below, there is an extensive defence system composed of trenches, walkways, tunnels, artillery and gunnery stations.
"Busa dei Capitani" got its name from the two bas relief busts found inside the ruins of a military building. It proved impossible to tell who they were supposed to represent until a local historian identified Emperor Franz Josef and his successor to the throne Archduke Karl of Habsburg. The Archduke was a frequent visitor to the Trento front as Commander of the Armed Forces and a signature on one of the busts is most likely really his.
For more information on routes, services (guides, mountain huts, shops etc.) and hiking friendly accommodation: Garda Trentino - +39 0464 554444
Safety Tips
This information is subject to inevitable variations, so none of these indications are absolute. It is not entirely possible to avoid giving inexact or imprecise information, given how quickly environmental and weather conditions can change. For this reason, we decline any responsibility for changes which the user may encounter. In any case, it is advisable to check environment and weather conditions before setting out.
From the car park follow the roundabout and take the exit which leads to the Nido d'Aquila apartments where a red and white arrow points the way to go. Continue down the road until you come to a junction with a sign illustrating the trails in the area: here take the mule track on the right. The trail starts to climb through the woods until it comes to the ridge and turns into a mule track again at Castagneto di Nago. Along the trail there is a signpost with directions for the rifle position which overlooks Nago. There are other military relics from the First World War in the Castagneto area like the “stol” (storerooms built into the rock), walls and trenches restored by the volunteers of the local association Associazione Castagneto Monte Corno di Nago. Continuing along the forestry road after the signpost for Castagneto beside the cistern there is a turn-off where you go right on a forestry road in the direction of the car park.
Here take the mule track in the direction of Busa dei Capitani, taking care to detour to the right on the trail which leads to Stützpunkt Perlone: here you can visit a long tunnel excavated into the rock with lookout posts over the valley and a wonderful original staircase restored by the volunteers of the Schützenkompanie of Arco.
Now follow the trail past the lookout post until you come to the rocky trail SAT 637. Here a short detour takes you to the Salina Trench which is perfectly preserved and offers marvellous views over the valley. Head back and continue northwards along the trail through the woods and a clearing with a hunters' hut until you come to the junction with a wooden signpost for Prà delle Cornale. Follow the signpost and start to descend, passing ruins of barracks and military buildings. Keep going along the flat through a chestnut and hazelnut wood until you come to the paleo-landslide area with its massive boulders which the soldiers used as natural shelters during the war. Keep going straight on until you come to Busa dei Capitani, which was recently restored.
Now turn back by the same trail following directions for Prà delle Cornale until you come to the car park. Take SAT 637 which runs along the Ago trench system: two long trenches and a rock shelter in a perfect state of conservation. The descent continues as far as the town of Nago. Continue down via Stazione until you come to via del Trenim until the car park you started out from.
The main towns in Garda Trentino - Riva del Garda, Arco, Torbole sul Garda, Nago – are connected by several urban and intercity bus lines which will take you to the starting point of tours or in the immediate surroundings.
You can also get to Riva del Garda and Torbole sul Garda by the public ferry service.
Up-to-date information on timetables and routes.
Parking Al Coel in Nago, with access from the roundabout.
You need to wear the right clothing and take the proper gear when you go hiking in the mountains. Even on relatively short easy outings make sure to take all you need so you don't run into trouble if things take an unexpected turn, for example a storm blows up or you have a sudden drop in energy levels.
What should you take when you go on a hike?
Your rucksack (for a day trip a 25/30L capacity should do) should contain:
Make sure you're wearing the right footwear for the trail and season. The going can get rough and rocky underfoot and a pair of hiking boots will protect you from sprains. When wet, a grassy slope, rocky slab or steep trail can be dangerous unless you are wearing the proper footwear.
And finally... don't forget to bring your camera! You'll need it to capture the stunning views you come across all over Garda Trentino. And if you like, you can share your memories with us at #GardaTrentino.
Emergency telephone number 112.
