23. The Great War: along the Segrom ridge to Malga Zures

A hike along the Austro-Hungarian line of defence, the imposing fortifications built at the turn of the Twentieth century to defend the southern border

<p>There can be no doubt about the strategic importance of Garda Trentino for the Austro-Hungarian Empire given the number and scale of the fortifications above the shores of Lake Garda and the Segrom is a part of these. Barracks, trenches, tunnels and artillery positions bear witness to the complexity of this system and form a unique historic backdrop for a trek. </p> <p>Here the trail largely overlaps with a military road built by the Austro-Hungarian army from 1880 onwards when work started to reinforce defences along the Italian border. The fortifications along the Segrom ridge date back to the same period and these are linked by trenches with the stronghold of Malga Zures, a considerable line of resistance in case of loss of the advanced position. </p>