Mount Ortigara, Mountain summit at 2106 meters in Province of Vicenza, Italy.
Mount Ortigara rises from the Seven Municipalities Plateau with steep limestone cliffs that plunge roughly 1500 meters into the Sugana Valley below. The exposed rock faces show distinct color variations and weathered textures that reveal the mountain's layered geological structure.
In June 1917, the mountain became the center of one of World War I's largest battles, with more than 400,000 soldiers engaged in combat over the summit area. The intense fighting left deep marks on the landscape that remain visible today.
Ortigara stands as a symbol of the Great War for local communities, with the ossuary beneath Lozze church holding the remains of soldiers from both sides who died during the 1917 offensive.
The hike starts from Piazzale Lozze at 1770 meters, following the marked CAI 840 trail that runs along a former military path to the top. The route is straightforward to follow, though weather can change quickly at higher elevations, so plan accordingly.
The eastern face is formed from Jurassic limestone while the western side shows Triassic dolomite, creating noticeably different rock formations on either side. This geological contrast makes the mountain a living textbook of different stone types for visitors to observe.
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