The Dosso Merlo trenches at Navene

During the First World War (1914-1918), Lake Garda represented a natural borderline between the Italian and Austro-Hungarian military forces. The two sides built several fortifications and trenches located at strategic points of the territory.

Among the most evocative and recently re-qualified are the Dosso Merlo trenches, located in the municipality of Malcesine and more precisely in the hamlet of Navene.

In this article we will discover some details concerning the history of this place, the special military equipment installed along the path and the natural characteristics of the area where the Dosso Merlo trenches are located.

The holm oak wood in Navene.

One of the most significant natural elements of this area located at the slopes of Monte Baldo is the presence of vegetation characterised by the holm oaks (Quercus ilex), typical of Mediterranean vegetation. This type of vegetation, largely replaced over the centuries by human settlements and the spread of olive groves, has been preserved to the present day in a few limited areas. Among them, one of the most important is the Navene holm oak wood.

The phytoclimatic strips of Mount Baldo.

The Mount Baldo territory, defined by 18th century botanists as Hortus Europae for its exceptional variety of vegetable species, represents an area of great naturalistic interest. Its geographical position, situated on the edge of the Alps and close to the Po Valley, combined with the presence of Lake Garda, contributes to the formation of a very special environment.

This combination, along with a significant altitude range of over 2,000 metres in a relatively small space, creates a rapid succession of different climatic and environmental conditions. The variations are reflected in a rich mosaic of natural environments, each adapted to the specific conditions of its microclimate. The peaks of Mount Baldo therefore offer an extraordinary diversity of flora, ranging from Mediterranean to Alpine species.

Walking from the lake to the highest peaks, it is possible to see all the main living vegetation environments of Italy and Europe. From the sub-Mediterranean type of vegetation, which is found along the shores of the lake and includes Holm-oak and Olive trees, to the sub-mountain thermophilous woodland strip, where downy oak, manna ash and hornbeam are prevalent. Next, there is the chestnut and beech forest zone, followed by mixed coniferous woods. In the highest area, there is the alpine strip, characterised by mugo pine woods, shrubby groves and high-altitude meadows.

The Eastern Gardesana Integral Natural Reserve.

The path and the entire area where the Dosso Merlo trenches are located are part of the Eastern Gardesana Integral Natural Reserve. Managed today by Veneto Agricoltura, it was created in 1971 with the aim of preserving the unique characteristics of the flora and fauna living in this area.

The reserve extends from the shores of the lake to the western slope of Mount Baldo, up to an altitude of 650 metres. Despite its modest size (218 hectares), it is considered to be of great naturalistic importance, because it hosts many species typical of the Mediterranean area.

Subsequently, a large part of this territory, together with other public and private areas, was designated as a Site of Community Importance (S.I.C.) and a Special Protection Area (Z.P.S.) for the presence of animal and plant species worthy of special protection.

These protected areas are part of the Natura 2000 Network, the main instrument of the European Union's biodiversity conservation policy. For more information on this topic, we refer you to the dedicated page on the European Environment Agency website.

The history of Dosso Merlo.

The path that climbs from Navene to Dosso Merlo along the military road allows us to discover many of the peculiarities that characterise this area.

Along the way, we can observe the ancient tovi, the sunken paths in which the cut timber was carried from the forest to the loading point. The use of the forest for timber was in the past one of the main livelihood activities for the local population.

The many information panels along the trail tell us, with the use of texts, old photographs and military maps, about the positioning and characteristics of some of the armaments used by Italian soldiers during the Great War.

Among them, it is still visible the cannon emplacement that, from May 1916, housed two 120/40 AL guns. They covered the 3rd defensive line 5 km away, targeting the lake border between Punta Valmarsa and Punta Larici.

About halfway along the trail there is the emplacement of the VULCANO howitzer, a powerful 305/17 model 1916 howitzer belonging to the 910th Battery. It was positioned on 21 March 1916 and mounted on a Garrone model rotary carriage.

The weight of the howitzer reached 33,770 kg and its maximum range was 17.6 km. It fired shells of varying weight, averaging 300 kg per shell, and could sustain a rate of fire of one shot every five minutes. This type of howitzer represented the most powerful artillery in the Royal Italian Army during the First World War.

Walking along the path, we climb slightly in altitude until we reach the glade where the Dosso Merlo stronghold is located.

In the past, Navene and Dosso Merlo were strategic observation points to control the movement of men and goods from Brentonico (to the east) and Nago (to the north). In 1915, Dosso Merlo continued to fulfil its control function, monitoring movements from the north and from the lake. Navene and Dosso Merlo are also located on the erosive gap that divides Mount Baldo between the Verona and Trento parts.

During the first year of the war, with the consolidation of war activities, the immobility of this sector of the front became increasingly evident, mainly due to the complexity of an area enclosed between high mountains and Lake Garda.

For the Italian soldiers, it represented a bottleneck too narrow to move large units; for the Austrian soldiers, on the other hand, it was an easy passage to defend thanks to a complex system of fortifications.

In response to this situation, the General Staff of the Italian Royal Army decided to fortify this portion of territory, starting a massive defensive and logistical reinforcement.

The remains of the military works at Dosso Merlo represent what remains of a defensive stronghold with entrenchments, emplacements, walkways, observation posts and well-structured shelters, designed to remain permanently in that position.

From 1916, this area was called the Dosso Merlo Defence Group and functioned as a second line of defence, including the infrastructure in the Val dell'Acqua and Val delle More (locally Vaio dell'Acqua and Vaio delle More) as far as the lake coast.

More than 100 years after the end of the Great War, the recovery of the Dosso Merlo trenches represents a unique opportunity to remember that difficult historical period. A place that offers a wonderful panorama over Lake Garda, where the beauty of nature is indelibly linked with the solemnity of the past.

How to get to the Dosso Merlo trenches.

Travelling northwards from Malcesine, take the Gardesana SR249 road until the small hamlet of Navene. Just before entering the village, turn right and drive up Via di Mezzo. After about 300 metres, you can park your car at the Navene alta car park.

During the summer period, I advise you to pay attention to any notices concerning the traffic situation. In connection with certain sporting events, the car park at Navene alta may be reserved for athletes taking part in competitions.

After parking the car, proceed on foot uphill along an asphalt road in the direction of Mount Fubia (path 4). A little further on, keeping to the right, the forest path begins, leading through the woods to the Dosso Merlo trenches.

The path overcomes an altitude difference of about 300 metres and does not present any particular problems. In about thirty to forty minutes of walking you will easily reach the destination. I recommend that you wear hiking shoes and always respect the environment by keeping the place clean.

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