Rifugio Lagazuoi - Wine in WWI Tunnels at 2,752m

What to do there

3 things to do

1. 1

   Descend Into Tunnels Where Soldiers Stored Explosives

   history Price: moderate

   Ask the rifugio host at Lagazuoi (accessible by cable car from Passo Falzarego to 2,752m, then 10-min hike) to show you the WWI tunnel wine cellar. They'll lead you DOWN into Austrian trenches from 1915-1917 where soldiers carved tunnels to place explosives under Italian positions. The 'White War' killed 150,000 people in these mountains — today, wine bottles are stored where ammunition was kept at constant 8-12°C. You're standing in a battlefield that's now a wine cave.

   BACKUP: If cellar tour unavailable, explore the Lagazuoi WWI open-air museum tunnels yourself (free, 20-30min self-guided loop with signage). Then drink wine on rifugio terrace overlooking Marmolada glacier to the south.

   Log Memory
2. 2

   Drink Alto Adige Wine Aged in a War Zone at 2,752m

   wine Price: moderate

   Order Alto Adige Lagrein or local red wine (€14-20 for 0.5L) — you're drinking wine from 200m elevation while sitting at 2,752m altitude. The 2,552-meter differential changes everything: lower air pressure means alcohol vapors hit your nose faster, less oxygen dulls flavor perception except sweetness and acidity. Ask the rifugio host: 'Does altitude affect how this tastes?' This wine would taste completely different in Venice — you're experiencing altitude terroir in reverse.

   BACKUP: If Lagrein unavailable, any Alto Adige or Trentino red works. Or try local grappa (€5-8) if you want something stronger. The altitude amplifies everything.

   Log Memory
3. 3

   Stand Where 150,000 Died Fighting Over Mountains

   Optional

   history Free

   The WWI 'White War' (1915-1917) was fought at altitudes up to 3,000m — soldiers froze, avalanches buried entire units, frostbite claimed more casualties than bullets. On June 29, 1916, Italians detonated 5,000kg of explosives, blowing off the top of Col di Lana mountain. After your wine, walk the 20-30min WWI museum loop trail around the rifugio to see trenches, bunkers, tunnel entrances, shell craters — all at 2,752m. The wine cellar you just toured was carved by men who died here.

   BACKUP: If weather is bad (clouds/wind), skip the outdoor trail. Just sit inside the rifugio and ask the host for WWI stories. They know them all.

   Log Memory