A few kilometres from the Dogna Valley, you can explore another picturesque area of the Julian Alps: the Saisera Valley. Crossed by the Saisera stream, it extends north to south and is a secondary link between the Dogna and Canal Valley. Today it is a popular destination as it offers wonderful excursions on some of the best peaks inFriuli Venezia Giulia; it used to be one of the possible passages that could be used either by the Italian or the Austro-Hungarian armies for an invasion until 1917.
The Sainsera Valley was located in Habsburg territory and could be used as a passageway to Carinthia through the Somdogna Pass. That is why the Austro-Hungarians built the so-called "Saisera barrier", which integrated the existing Forts of Malborghetto and Cave del Predil, south of Tarvisio. The entire valley was dotted with military installations to defend the rear lines and cableways to reach positions on the surrounding mountains, such as Mt. Little Miezegnot (Kleine Mittagskofel), occupied by the Austro-Hungarians in the summer of 1915, and where a hard battle was fought between 16th and 18th July 1916.
Today, you can visit these areas during an excursion to Mt. Little Miezegnot. Start from the village of Valbruna, within the Municipality of Malborghetto Valbruna. Right before the Austro-Hungarian cemetery of Heroes, leave your car near CAI trail No. 607 on the right (well-signalled). Start walking at 800 metres ASL, then cross the shepherd cabin of Malga Raugna (1480m ASL) followed by the Zita Chapel, built by Austro-Hungarian soldiers in 1917 and dedicated to the wife of Emperor Karl I.
Along the trail, you can see several remains of shelters and caves used for military purposes, complemented by great views of the surrounding peaks and Mt. Lussari in the background. Leaving the woods, you will reach an opening near the Schwarzenberg ridge and summit, where a memorial stone commemorates the fights of July 1916.
Opposite, you can admire Mt. Jôf di Miezegnot, the starting point of the Italian Alpine Corps offensive. Continue along CAI trail No. 607, first walk downhill and then up again to 1968m ASL (Peceit ridge, the Italian front offensive line) and then to the summit of Mt. Jôf di Miezegnot, where you can observe the remains of the observation posts on the top.
To return to the departure point, you need to walk back along the same trail. Expert hikers can descend down Mt. Jôf di Miezegnot by following CAI trail No. 609. In this case, you do not go back to the starting point but you will reach the Somdogna Pass, at the end of the Dogna Valley. If you intend to cover the latter, we suggest using two cars to be left at departure point and point of arrival respectively.
