Paradiso Loop - The Old Austrian Military Trail

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Allowed

Features Views

An easy doubletrack leads from Passo Somme (elev.1.341m) up to the meadows arround Rifugio Paradiso (elev.1.635m). A bit west is the valley "Val di Gola" steep beyond your feets. At the craggy slopes of this valley, near the upper rim, an old austrion military trail leads downwards. There will be hard sections (where I had to carry my bike), hairpins, but also flowy parts.

At the end of the downhill a doubletrack leads to the houses of Fontani (elev. 850m). Paved roads will take you back to the village of Folgaria (elev. 1.150m) and further to Passo Somme (elev. 1.341m).

Park your car at the upper end of San Sebastiano (elev. 1.290m) and take the paved road SS350 to Passo Somme (elev. 1.341 m). At your right Paradiso Doubletrack (from Passo Somme) leads up to the meadows around Paradiso. Getting to the meadow, take Paradiso Meadow Trail to Rifugio Paradiso (elev. 1.635m). A bit west is a small wooden chapel (dedicated to San Vigilio) and a niche viewpoint (elev. 1.660m). Step beyond your feet is the valley "Val di Gola".

At the craggy slopes of this valley, near the upper rim, an old austrion military trail leads downwards. There will be hard sections, especially at the beginning (where I had to carry my bike), and some hairpins, but also flowy parts. Near the chapel you'll se a signpost, take the signed hiking path #425 downwards: Folgaria - The Upper Austrian Line (part of #425).

Follow the signs toward Fontani and enjoy The Lower Austrian Line (to Fontani). When the terrain flattens out, you'll join Fontani Doubletrack (part of Strada dell Acquedotto), and you'll soon pass the few houses of Fontani (elev. 850m) and reach the road SS350. There is a bit of traffic, so I leave this road in Carpeneda (elev. 1.020m). At your left, some small roads without traffic leads towards Folgaria, and further Paved roads will take you back to the village of Folgaria (elev. 1.150m) and further to Costa di Folgaria. From there, I took the road SS350 back to Passo Somme, but there will be some longer options without traffic (trails at the eastern side of SS350).

At the end of this loop, I recommend a short detour: From Passo Somme take the small paved road at your right toward the houses of Perpruneri (elev. 1.330m), turn left, and ride back to San Sebastiano at Perpruneri Trail.

In WorldWar1 the Austrians and the Italians built fortresses and positions high in the mountains and trails, tunnels and a lot more to supply them.
The downhill-line is such an old trail, built by the Austrians in a steep slope, turned away from the Italian lines and artillery, near the rim to supply the own positions at the rim.