Hike to the Plattkofel

"Nomen est omen", Latin for "the name is a sign", is particularly true of the Plattkofel ("platt" means "flat"). While the north side consists of steep walls and imposing towers, the south side is characterised by great geometric uniformity: a constantly steep rock face over which this extremely rewarding hike leads to the summit of the Plattkofel. Those with the necessary stamina will definitely get their money's worth here.

From the Brenner motorway (A22), drive through the Val Gardena Valley (SS242) and up to the Passo Sella. You can park in the paid car park at the Hotel Passo Sella.

Val Gardena is also easily accessible by public transport. Line 350 runs every half hour from Ponte Gardena or Chiusa to Selva. In Selva or Ortisei, you can then change to line 471.

Stage 1: Passo Sella to the Rifugio Sasso Piatto

From the car park at the Passo Sella, head towards the Friedrich August Refuge, which you reach via marked Trail No. 557. This starts directly behind the Hotel Passo Sella to the left of the valley station of the small cable car that leads to the Forcella del Sassolungo, where the via ferrata of the same name is located. Walk past the Salei Hut, then follow the path quite steeply up to a saddle and down to the aforementioned Friedrich August Refuge.

Next comes a long but less strenuous stretch along the beautiful Friedrich August Trail (No. 557). About halfway to the Rifugio Sasso Piatto is the Sandro Pertini Hut, which is named after the former Italian president Sandro Pertini, who was a great lover of Val Gardena and spent many holidays in Selva.

The walls of the Dolomites, which can be marvelled at on the left-hand side, are impressive. The Punta Grohmann, Torre Innerkofler and Il Dente feature vertical, sometimes even overhanging rock faces. With a bit of luck, you can sometimes spot the odd daring climber.

The phenomenal view of the Catinaccio group and the sunny Val di Fassa make hiking easy and you reach the Rifugio Sasso Piatto (2,300 m), where you can gather your strength and perhaps take a short break before beginning the ascent to the summit of the Plattkofel.

Stage 2: Ascent of the Sasso Piatto

Marked Trail No. 527 leads northwards from the Rifugio Sasso Piatto. At first, it is moderately steep across alpine meadows, but soon you are at the foot of the Sasso Piatto and the grass gives way to scree and rocks. You need to organise your strength well and take the occasional break to reach the summit safely. Although you don't need any climbing skills, you still need to be able to climb safely to reach the top across the many hairpin turns.

However, the strenuous climb is worth it, as the summit is almost 3,000 metres high and rewards hikers with a breathtaking view. To the north, you can look down into eerie depths: steep rock faces and gorges drop hundreds of metres to the Plans de Cunfin. Behind them, you can marvel at the individual peaks of the Sassolungo Group. Il Dente is the first to the east, followed by the Torre Innerkofler and the Punta Grohmann. They are followed by the Punta delle Cinque Dita and then the mighty Sassolungo (Langkofel).

To the right of the summit of the Sassolungo, the Seceda Alp and the famous Odle peaks can be seen in the background. Ahead lies the Mountain Pic, to which an equally rewarding hike leads. The village of Santa Cristina in Val Gardena lies in the valley.

On a clear day, the glaciers of the Alpi Aurine can be seen shimmering far behind. To the east is an impressive view of the Dolomites with the Marmolada, Sella, Civetta and, to the south, the Pala group. The Catinaccio group follows and the meadows and forests of the Alpe di Siusi, the largest high plateau in Europe, spread out towards the west.

Stage 3: Descent and back to the Passo Sella

After a well-earned rest at the summit, you should start planning your descent as soon as possible, as this is another long hike. The first part is particularly hard on the knees, but as soon as you reach the alpine meadows above the Rifugio Sasso Piatto, the hike becomes more pleasant again.

If you are feeling a little hungry, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to culinary delights on the way to the Passo Sella. You will pass several catered mountain huts, which serve one or two culinary delights. The Plattkofelalm places particular emphasis on regionality, has its own alpine dairy and produces many of its own products. You then hike back along the Friedrich August Trail, usually with a view of Col Rodella, and down to the Passo Sella.

There are other ways to reach the summit of the Sasso Piatto:

1. Particularly ambitious hikers can also climb the Sasso Piatto from Ortisei. To do this, take the red cable car from Ortisei up to the Alpe di Siusi and hike from there along Trail No. 9 to Saltria. Here you take the "Florian" chairlift, which takes you quickly up to 2,100 metres. Now take Trail No. 7A briefly downhill and just above the Hotel Zallinger take Trail No. 9, which leads relatively steeply up to the Rifugio Sasso Piatto. Continue as described above to the summit of the Sasso Piatto.
2. For those who are looking for a more alpine experience and want to reach the summit by climbing, the Oskar Schuster via ferrata is a good option. The via ferrata leads through the rugged gorges, gullies and rock faces on the north side of the Sasso Piatto. The exit of the via ferrata is only slightly below the summit. The descent is then the same as described above.

• Tabacco No.05, Gröden-Val Gardena. Tabacco maps are also available via the app.
• AV-Map No. 52/I