Route description
Over mountain paths to the Lüsner Scharte (crenel)
You take the cable car Kreuztal up from the valley station to 2000 meters (2187.2 yd). Once you get to the top station you just keep on walking uphill following the Dolomiten mountain path. When you get to the Plosehütte cottage you find yourself at approximately 2447 meters (2676.1 yd) and you already have a wonderful view. After maybe taking a quick break at the cottage, you continue up the trail in the direction of the Lüsner Scharte (crenel). Once you get to the crenel, you follow the path on the left marked with the number 7.
Up to the summits Pfannspitz and Gabler
This tour will give you the possibility of hiking up three different peaks, Telegraph, Pfannspitz and Gabler. After a short amount of time walking trail number 7 you should have the possibility of climbing the Pfannspitz peak at 2545 meters (2783.3 yd). If you do not want to climb the peak of the Telegraph, you just follow the path you were on this entire time, hiking up the Gabler and with that reaching the highest point of your hike with 2578 meters (2819.3 yd). From there the rest of the hike is only downhill and after a short period of time you should find yourself on a solid trail. You turn right here and follow the road until you reach the Rossalmhütte cottage. This cottage offers food and drinks so you can take a quick break and continue with full strength down the mountain. With renewed energy you will take the trail number 17 A and 17 back to the starting point of the hike.
Where to eat
There are multiple possible stops on this tour. Already after only two kilometers (1.2 mi) you can catch your breath at the first Plosehütte cottage and enjoy typical South Tyrolean specialties. The cottage is also available for overnight stays. If you are planning to combine this tour with other hikes, this could be used as an intermediate stop. If you want to hike a small detour you need to turn right onto the Dolomiten mountain path after passing the Lüsener Scharte (crenel) to get to the Pfannspitzhütte cottage for another possible rest-stop.
The next possible stop is on your return hike back down the mountain at Rossalmhütte cottage. Here, you have a great variety of dishes and delicious foods. You can rest and regain your energy before continuing your hike down. Almost at the end of your hike there is a cottage called Geisler, where you can also eat and drink lots of typical South Tyrolean style foods and beverages. The culinary possibilities on this hike are endless.
Interesting facts
- You're traveling a distance of 13 km on this moderate trail. The average length of all hikes in South Tyrol is 12 km.
- Elevated between 2,014 m and 2,573 m, the hike is among the 15 highest elevated hikes in Italy. You're facing an uphill climb of 810 vertical meters on this hike.
- Sturdy hiking boots are recommended on this track. There are places to buy beverages and food along the track. However it’s always recommended to bring enough water and food along with you.
Highlights of the tour
On this hike you will not only climb up incredible heights with the cable car, but when you start hiking up the mountain on foot you will become a mountaineer reaching for the summit. Especially on the Plosestock you will find a variety to do, because this mountain has three different summits to climb. The most famous and most popular peak is called the Telegraph. It has a panoramic view and offers especially beautiful landscapes, guaranteeing a once in a lifetime look-out. A little unusual but all the more fun are the so-called panorama sun loungers on which you can lie back, put your feet up, relax your muscles and enjoy the view.A must-see are the local Kneipp water-treading basins and the relaxation loungers, which belong to the active climb “Woody Walk”. This is particularly fun for families.
Variations
On the Plosestock you can find many different hiking and mountain paths, therefore you can switch the trails and build your own tour. You can walk starting at the Lüsener Scharte in the direction of the Pfannspitzhütte cottage and continue hiking across the Serpentinenweg path directly to the Rossalmhütte cottage.
Getting here
By car
Starting in Sterzing Leave the city in southern direction and take the Brennerautobahn (highway) (A22), which you have to follow for about 31 km (19.3 mi). Exit the highway in the direction of Brixen. Take the SS12 into the city. Once you reached the city center you change onto the Mozartstraße street, from where you will be lead to the Ploserstraße street (SP 29). This street takes you to St. Andrä and from there directly to the valley station.
Starting in Bozen From the city center drive onto the SS12 and follow that road for four kilometers (2.5 mi) until you can drive up the Brennerautobahn (highway) (A22). Exit the highway at Klausen-Gröden and via the SS242d you will end up on SS12. Once you reached the city center of Brixen change onto the Mozartstraße street, from where you will be lead to the Ploserstraße street (SP 29). This street takes you to St. Andrä and from there directly to the valley station.
You will be able to park at the valley station.
By public transportation
Brixen has a great rail network, so you can take the train into the city. After the train you can take a bus to St. Andrä and you will reach the valley station from there.
