52 Tunnels

 

We did a really neat hike last week. It is called 52 tunnels and is a stretch of about 6 miles up into the mountains, where the Italian Military built 52 tunnels and a mule trail way back in World War 1. It is astonishing the engineering capability that they had back then with such little supplies and on such treacherous cliffs. It is said that over 10,000 soldiers lost their lives in these mountains. It took us about 5 1/2 hours, but we really had a great time (it was especially hard in the beginning, but got a bit easier as we continued on). It was on my "bucket list" - so especially glad to have done it!

I live for this kind of thing

and sheep are my very favorite!!

At the end of the 52nd tunnel - some Italians were celebrating their finish with a flag pic...

Mia and I 

Some parts were more treacherous than others

We saw lots of these memorials along the way - so sad.

It was such a fun day!

You can see the edge of the trail that they built into the mountain.

The Italian name is 52 Gallerie

We definitely tried to stay close to the right!

Mia!

One of the 52 tunnels

Beautiful views along the entire way!

Bryan and I

Mia and I

Gorgeous!

and another tunnel!

Bryan :-)

A stranger - but had to take the pic because it was not something we were going to pose for (too dangerous!)

Along the way, there were lots of small landslides of rock that we saw

And at the top, is a "Refugio" - which is a "Hutt" with food 

Celebrating the finish at the 52nd tunnel!

And back at the beginning...