Exploring La Rocchetta: WWI Tunnels, Panoramas and Mountain Views
La Rocchetta, which has gained fame in recent months due to the landslide that struck its base on the statale 45 bis road, is not the tallest peak of the same-named mountain group overlooking Riva del Garda, characterized by an incredible array of walls, towers, and rocky ridges that dominate the Alto Benaco landscape. It is surpassed by a few meters by the nearby Cima Valdès but remains one of the most interesting destinations in the area.
In addition to the vast and magnificent panoramic views, the summit of La Rocchetta is surrounded by trenches, barracks, and tunnels: remnants of the powerful fortifications built by the Austrians during the Great War. The route starts from Biacesa. The path reaches the upper part of the village, dominated by steep mountains, including an evident rocky dome at the center of the valley leading towards La Rocchetta: this is the rocky spur called Cor, within which lies a true labyrinth of war tunnels.
Itinerary and Environments
After passing some fountains, one leaves the so-called “senter del Bech” on the right and climbs a shaded slope through the forest. At subsequent junctions, the paths leading to Bivacco S. Giovanni and Bocca Sperone are left on the right, and still within the forest, the trail reaches the base of a gray, vertical rock face from which a fresh spring flows from its sides: this is the West wall of Grotta Daei, another mountain pierced by tunnel networks from the Great War.
The trail curves around the left of the wall and reaches a wide saddle, a crossroads of paths: the Bochèt dei Concolì. From here, a trail dedicated to Rino Zanotti heads along the southeast ridge of La Rocchetta. This segment is the most scenic and beautiful part of the itinerary: although the view is often obstructed by invasive vegetation, the azure below of Garda Lake is incredibly photogenic.
During the ascent, alongside numerous remains of Austrian trenches, images of the long chain of Monte Baldo, the nearby Monte Stivo, and the distant Dolomiti di Brenta, as well as the Ledro Alps chain—including Monte Tofino and the Corni di Pichea—are visible. To the south, behind us, the Garda Mountains stretch seamlessly to the plains, including Tremalzo, Carone, and Cima Al Bal.
When the summit is finally reached, the eye can take in not only the well-known large Garda Lake but also four other blue water bodies: Lake Tenno, Lake Cavedine, Lake Molveno, and Lake Toblino.
The ascent might end here, but experienced hikers are advised to visit the Cor trenches. From the top of La Rocchetta, descend southward onto a grassy slope, and just below, pick up a trail that continues to descend alongside a trench in the direction of the rocky outcrop of Cor, which can be reached in about ten minutes.
During the Great War, the Austrians transformed the Cor into a heavily fortified defensive position with tunnels, caves, and loopholes overlooking various sides of the mountain, dominating the valley from which Italian units could arrive. A headlamp is necessary to safely explore the tunnels, at the start of which the remains of a characteristic toilet with a projecting outlet on the wall can still be found.
The return from the top of La Rocchetta follows the same route as the ascent.