Fascination Waterfall: The Plima Gorge in Martell in Vinschgau

South Tyrol's nature has some impressive spectacles to offer. Do you love water and deep abysses? Then Martell in Val Venosta is the right place for you: The Plima Gorge in the Stilfser Joch National Park attracts thousands of tourists every year for a hike along the impressive water spectacle. The path is not strenuous, so even families with children can enjoy it. Whether young or old, the four stations built along the water spectacle give adventurers the feeling of being in the midst of the action, providing unforgettable impressions. Would you like more interesting information about the Plima Gorge and the ruins of the Hotel Paradiso, which is located in the immediate vicinity? Then let this article inspire you.

Plima Gorge: General information about the natural spectacle

This is a gorge in Val Venosta, at the foot of the Cevedale, carved into the local rock over several thousands of years. The Plima Gorge is particularly impressive in good weather and should – if possible – be visited on a sunny or slightly cloudy day. The Plima Gorge was formed by meltwater, which created its dramatic shapes; the flanks are almost vertical and smoothly polished. To allow closer observation of the natural spectacle, the municipality has created an adventurous experience trail that can be enjoyed by both adults and children. During the hike, you will experience the end of the Martell Valley from a different perspective.

How to get to Plima Gorge: How do you get there?

The hike begins at the parking lot at the end of the Martell Valley, which means you first need to get there by car or public transport. If you are traveling by car, you drive along the Stilfser Joch Road (SS38) – this is the busy main road in Val Venosta. Once you arrive in Goldrain, you turn off and follow the signs towards Martell Valley. After a while, you will reach a parking lot at the end of the valley – the large space at the Plima Gorge offers easy parking. It is important to be there early in the morning to secure a free spot. The parking lot is subject to a fee. If you prefer to travel by public transport, you can take the bus that runs about five times a day from the village to the end of the valley.

Route description: What highlights does the hike along the waterfall offer?

First, we want to give you a few facts:

• Altitude gain: 333 meters
• Altitude loss: 333 meters
• Altitude of the gorge: over 2,000 meters (Zufallhütte 2,265 meters)
• Length of the hike: 6,091 meters
• Duration of the hike: Just under two hours (if you visit the Plima Gorge with children, you need to allow a little more time)
• Good time to explore the adventure trail: Spring, autumn, summer

South Tyrol, or rather the municipality of Martell, wanted to bring the impressive landscape, the waterfall, and the gorge closer to both locals and guests. Thanks to the well-thought-out and excellent design of the adventure trail, it is now possible for everyone to gain a great insight into the natural spectacle. Especially the four gorge installations, initiated by the municipality of Martell, enable hikers to appreciate the beauty of the waterfall and the gorge. The structures were made of Corten steel and thus blend in visually with the landscape.

The four stations – What awaits you on the hiking trail?

From the car, you begin your hike. First, you reach a bridge that leads directly to a pond. This is where the first information point starts (there are eight in total). The first information board, for example, describes the fascination of amphibians, while the other boards talk about various natural hazards, the moor, or the nutcracker.

A few steps further, you finally reach the first gorge staging, the "Kelle in der Klamm" (ladle in the gorge). Here you descend a few steps, and the viewpoint offers you the perfect opportunity to observe the water from an impressive perspective. The roaring water flows beneath you.

Just a few minutes later, the second gorge staging awaits you. This is a panoramic sickle, from which you can let your gaze wander out of the valley. Here you will also discover the remains of the once very famous Hotel Valmartello – Paradiso del Cevedale. In earlier times, it was a popular summer resort renowned beyond the borders. Today, the hotel can only be viewed from a distance. What is special about it is that it has red walls. We will go into more detail on this topic later.

Now you continue along the path and after a few minutes' walk, you reach the third viewpoint: the viewing pulpit. From here you can see the highest point of the Plima Gorge trail, the Zufallhütte at over 2,265 meters. Furthermore, the natural spectacle is shown even more clearly here – the view of the Plima Gorge is imposing.

Afterward, you reach the suspension bridge, the last gorge staging. Here you can walk directly over the gorge. This also takes you to the Zufallhütte, from where you can walk back to the parking lot (you walk to the dam and continue on the left side). The Zufallhütte offers an excellent refreshment stop for everyone, whether you are hiking along the Plima Gorge alone, with friends, or with your family and children. The delicacies offered there provide physical refreshment. The hut rooms are lovingly designed and can be used for an excellent mountain holiday.

If you're hiking with children, you should allow plenty of time – you can be sure that the little ones will stop repeatedly to observe the impressive landscape. You should also factor in a few minutes for taking photos.

What about the Hotel Paradiso? – A brief journey into the past

As mentioned earlier, from the second gorge staging, you have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the Hotel Paradiso. Located at approximately 2,160 meters, the once-built hotel stands behind the reservoir at the end of the Martell Valley. At that time, it was called Hotel Albergo Sportivo Valmartello al Paradiso del Cevedale. Nestled in a magnificent landscape of pines and larches, the ruin transports one back to past decades. According to reports, the Hotel Paradiso was built and completed between 1933 and 1935 by a joint-stock company through Colonel Emilio Penatti and Gio Ponti (a famous architect). In the past, the building was green.

The residents at the time never found the hotel, which was built in a very futuristic style for its time and offered space for about 250 guests, to be fitting. Wealthy guests who could afford the luxury stayed there. Although the hotel offered a lot (e.g., tavern, post and telegraph office, masseur, etc.), the heyday of Hotel Paradiso did not last long – already in 1943, the German Wehrmacht occupied the premises and used it as a recreation center for German soldiers. The history of the hotel continues with its sale to Benati from Venice (1952), but he never reopened it – he only ensured that it was painted red.

Conclusion!

If you've always wanted to see impressive waterfalls, then a trip to the Plima Gorge in the middle of the Stilfser Joch Nature Park is worthwhile. Nestled in a magnificent natural setting, you will discover the power of the water. The four stations give you the feeling of being very close to the water and being able to observe the spectacle closely. In addition, it is worth looking into the distance: The Hotel Paradiso, once a very popular holiday resort, surprises with its mysterious appearance and its red-painted walls. Have you ever been on the adventure hiking trail along the Plima Gorge?