The trench of the Volaia Pass is undoubtedly the most significant remain of the Great War in this area. It is a lengthy fortified line running from the rocky ridges of Mt. Capolago to Mt. Coglians, built to obstruct any passage towards Italy. Walking through it, you can take in full views of the Volaia Lake (about 20 metres below) and understand its strategic position.
CAI trail No. 144 leads into the middle of the trench, so you can choose to start your visit on the left or right. To the left, the volunteers have accurately recreated the walkway, which is over 1.5m deep, first descending steeply to the lake and then climbing up again along the slope of Mt. Capolago. You can see an observation post near a rocky ridge, while a few metres further a tunnel used as a 32mm gun position opens up.
To the right, instead, the first part of the trench is not dug in the rock but protected by a defensive wall with slits. After a few metres, the terrain lowers and you will find a small, recently-restored opening, where a cross and an altar were placed for religious purposes. Past the latter, the entrenched line lowers again and some tunnels open up, very similar to the 42mm gun and machine-gun position. Several metres of barbed wire dating from the Great War can be observed all along the terrain on this side.
