The mountains surrounding the Pass of Monte Croce Carnico are an ideal destination for all hikers looking forward to walking amidst pristine nature and discovering remains of the Great War.
Mt. Pal Piccolo and Mt. Freikofel are two splendid open-air museums, which can be visited by all those sharing a passion for trekking and history. Experienced hikers may instead want to test their skills by ascending Mt. Creta di Collinetta (also known as Mt. Cellon) via the Cellon-Schulter tunnel.
THE SIGN AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE CELLON-SCHULTER TUNNEL. IN THIS CASE, IT IS NECESSARY TO BE EQUIPPED WITH A CLIMBING KIT AND A TORCH (A HEADLAMP IS RECOMMENDED).
Unlike other tracks, this trail requires expertise as some sections are provided with steel cable (including the tunnel) and are better walked with a ferrata kit to secure yourself.
This route has two access points: the first is found across the border, on the left, past the first building (an old yellow building), before the road tunnel. However, as this trail is rarely travelled and poorly signalled, we recommend walking on the paved road on the right, until you see indications for the Geo Trail, where the afore-mentioned trail converges.
The first stretch of this route follows the Geo Trail until, past the eleventh sign, you turn left following directions for the Cellon-Schulter tunnel; after about 15 minutes, you can see the first section of the via ferrata (quite short). Past the latter, on your left, you find the entrance of the tunnel, which climbs uphill for 180 metres inside the mountain.
Once outside, climb the last stretch provided with the steel cable and reach Schulter viewpoint (1736 metres ASL). Opposite, you can clearly see Mt. Pal Piccolo, while the green Austrian valleys lie to the north. Several metres of barbed wire can still be found on the terrain, while some slits and posts for Austro-Hungarian machine guns can be spotted on the slopes.
Continue along the signalled trail and follow indications for the Plöckenpass, leaving the diversion for the two via ferrata leading to the top on your right. Here, start a slight descent along the Tunnels mule track, which takes you into Italian territory again and ends with a fork where CAI trails No. 146 and 147 meet. Take the latter and start ascending to the summit. The trail runs diagonally to the mountain side and passes across the Green Crest, where the ruins of some military buildings can be seen.
It is quite a long track (2 hours and a half) but can be shortened by following a non-signalled (though very hard) trail that can be seen after 15 minutes from the fork. It leads to the rocky base of the mountain in about one hour and a half, at approximately 2000m ASL, from where you can then take CAI trail No. 147 again.
A STAGE OF THE SO-CALLED MULE TRAIL OF THE TUNNELS, ON THE ITALIAN SIDE OF THE CRETA DI COLLINETTA
This is the last stretch of the route, where several military remains testify the battles fought to take over this mountain. Walk through the rocks and reach the eastern summit (2228 metres ASL) in half an hour, where the summit cross is located. The western summit (2238) is a little farther on and can be reached via a track between the rocks.
On the way back, take CAI trail No.147 again. At the crossing with the Tunnels mule track and CAI trail No.146, make a right to the latter and go back to the Pass of Monte Croce Carnico in about 45 minutes. This trail is suitable for everyone; it can also be used to climb the mountain as an alternative to the via ferrata on the Austrian side.
