Plima Gorge Trail (South Tyrol)

• Start: Martell Valley, parking lot at the valley head
• Destination: Zufallhütte
• Difficulty: Easy
• Signposts: "Plima Gorge Adventure"
• Trail length: 6 km
• Walking time: 1 hour (ascent); 1 hour (descent)
• Elevation gain: 250 m
• Elevation of destination: 2265 m
• Refreshment stops: Zufallhütte
• Experienced: Mid-September 2020

Journey to the starting point

By car:

The journey can be made either by car from Merano (approx. 1 hour) or from Reschenpass (approx. 1.5 hours) to Latsch (Vinschgau). In Latsch, turn into Martell Valley. Follow the road, past the Zufritt reservoir to the head of the valley, where there is a paid parking lot. Please note that the roads towards the valley head are quite narrow, steep, and winding.

By train/bus:

From Merano, take the Vinschgerbahn train towards Mals. Get off in Goldrain and take bus number 262 to "Rifugio Genziana" (approx. 1.5 hours total).

From Reschen, take bus number 273 to Mals. From there, take the train towards Merano to Goldrain. Then take bus number 262 to "Rifugio Genziana" (approx. 2.5 hours total).

Start of the tour

After parking, we set off and follow the "Plima Gorge Adventure" signpost. Soon after, we arrive at a large board where the route and its individual stations are marked.

To get an even better impression of the gorge, four accessible steel platforms were built here by engineers and architects. You can truly feel the forces of nature! Did you know that the gorge gets its name from the Plima mountain stream that flows through it?

We reach the first platform, called "Kelle" (scoop). Stairs lead down to the viewpoint. Masses of water rush powerfully over the rocks from the glaciers of the Zufallspitze here.

We now continue along the leisurely path to the Zufallhütte.

Once there, a fascinating panorama awaits us, with views of the surrounding glacier region and Monte Cevedale (3769m), the third-highest mountain in South Tyrol. You can even see the Zufritt reservoir from a distance.

At the Zufallhütte, you can visit an old chapel, and children can have fun at a small playground. There are also plenty of opportunities for picnicking... a true family paradise! :-) Please note: The paths are not suitable for strollers.

Recharge at the Zufallhütte

The Zufallhütte provides you with delicious and traditional hut dishes. In addition, the hut even offers about 80 beds! Luggage can be transported by cable car upon request.

We enjoy (of course, as always) Kaiserschmarrn and Chanterelle spaghetti. With this fantastic view, the food tastes even better! ;-)

The way back

There is an option to continue the hike and visit the old dam, which we did not do due to impending rain clouds.

So we head back from the Zufallhütte to the parking lot, which takes about an hour. Info: Since this is a circular hike, it is recommended to hike back on the other side of the Plima Gorge to not miss any further sights of the route (it's worth it)!

We cross the Plima stream or the Plima Gorge via the architecturally striking suspension bridge and thus reach the other side of the route. Another special highlight right after the bridge is a small waterfall.

We continue to the next viewpoints, called "Sichel" (sickle) and "Kanzel" (pulpit). From there, you can see in the distance the ruins of Hotel Valmartello - Paradiso del Cevedale, once a famous summer resort and later a spy location during World War II.

Once at the bottom, you can still view the 1933 hotel complex from the outside (no entry possible or allowed).

From the ruins, it only takes a few more minutes to reach the parking lot.

Here are some video clips of our hike in the Plima Gorge in Martell.

Conclusion

A wonderfully beautiful hike, perfect for families with children. Everyone will have fun here, young and old alike. The hike is easy and can be done with good sports shoes or light hiking boots.

However, you should avoid strollers and use a child carrier backpack instead.

The four stations make the hike something very special. Here you get really close to nature and can feel the incredible power of the water.

I can only highly recommend this hike. A truly adventurous hike (literally), which you certainly won't forget quickly....

With love,

Anna