How Mountaineering Helped Shape Italy

Mountaineering in Italy has always been about more than peaks and panoramas. In the Brenta Dolomites, climbing shaped national identity, politics and culture. On a four-day hut-to-hut trek, I discovered how the mountains became a stage for resistance, rivalry and, eventually, unity.

SAT was never just a mountaineering club. Founded in Trentino when it was under Austro-Hungarian rule, it used climbing to assert Italian identity. By building refuges, marking trails and planting flags, SAT sought to reclaim the mountains symbolically. Austrian authorities saw the threat, shutting SAT down in 1876. Rivalry with German-speaking clubs like the DAV followed, each building huts and ferratas higher and more visible than the other.

Despite its dramatic appearance, the Brenta is now highly accessible. Clear waymarking, secure via ferratas and well-maintained rifugi mean you can explore challenging terrain with moderate fitness and the right gear. Evenings in the huts offer a social highlight, with food, wine and stories of the peaks.

The Brenta Dolomites are more than a climbing destination. They are a living museum of mountaineering, politics and identity. From the rivalry of SAT and DAV to the creation of the via ferrata, the peaks have witnessed history as much as they have shaped it. Today, they stand as a symbol of unity, welcoming hikers and climbers from around the world. For advice on equipment, clothing and ferrata safety, visit us in store and speak to our experts.