Exploring the abandoned military Vecchia Strada della Fricca in Trentino-Alto Adige

Vecchia Strada della Fricca is an old, abandoned road located in the northern Italian region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. It's a true gem of military architecture. The road has a high risk of falling rocks.

Vecchia Strada della Fricca

How long is Vecchia Strada della Fricca?

Situated high in the Venetian Prealps, a mountain range in the south-eastern part of the Alps, the road spans 2km (1.24 miles). Carved out of rock, it’s very narrow. The trail has 9 unlit tunnels. The old trail was originally paved.

When was Vecchia Strada della Fricca built?

This road was essential for troop transport and supply line maintenance during the Great War. It held a strategic function during the First World War. The road was normally used for communications between the highlands and Valsugana, extending to Trento. Its epic moment was in the early days of November 1918 when Austrian soldiers used it to flee homeward.

Is Vecchia Strada della Fricca closed?

Due to the high risk of rockslides, the road is blocked by barriers and is completely closed to vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. The old road was bypassed by the 904m long Fricca Tunnel, on the SS349 road.
Pic: © Matteo Ianeselli / Wikimedia Commons, via Wikimedia Commons

 

 

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