Hike from the front door
Plantapatsch hut from the Watles valley station
The Plantapatsch hut is the classic first destination on the Watles: a hut trail through light larch forest, with a terrace at the top and views as far as the Ortler. The hike starts at the valley station of the Watles chairlift in Prämajur, a short walk from the Ferienhotel Kastellatz.
On trail no. 3 you walk about 3.4 kilometres and around 400 metres uphill. Allow one and a half to two hours for the ascent; you return the same way. Here you can read what you will see on the way, where you can stop for refreshments and what to bear in mind with children and a dog.
At a glance
- Distance
- 3.4 km
- Ascent
- 416 m
- Descent
- back the same way
- Walking time
- one and a half to two hours uphill, same way back
- Difficulty
- easy
- Highest point
- 2,141 m
- Start
- Watles valley station in Prämajur, on foot from the Ferienhotel Kastellatz
- Trail numbers
- 3
- Refreshments
- Plantapatsch hut, Höfer alp, inns in Prämajur
- Dog
- possible on the trail; livestock graze on the pastures, so keep your dog under close control
- Children
- very doable: on the way the Höfer alp with a small petting zoo, at the top the play lake
- Season
- summer to early autumn, when the trail is free of snow; check hut and lift operation on watles.net
easy from the front door
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Elevation profile
Route sketch
Map
Route description
At the valley station of the Watles chairlift in Prämajur, follow marker no. 3. The trail is well signposted and leads first through light larch forest. The operator describes the hike as easy; the hotel sees it the same way, even though the roughly 400 metres of ascent are noticeable.
After the Höfer alp, which is a good place for a break with its small petting zoo for children, it is about another half hour to the play lake and the Plantapatsch hut at around 2,140 m. The way back follows the same route.
If you would like to save some ascent, the operator says you can also reach the hut comfortably by the Watles chairlift. Whether and when it runs is shown on watles.net.
What you will see
The larch forest in the lower part is especially beautiful in October, when the needles turn golden. Higher up the view opens: from the hut terrace you can see as far as the Ortler. According to the operator, the Watles hiking area offers panoramic views of the Ortler group, the Sesvenna group, the Ötztal Alps and the whole Upper Vinschgau basin.
At the play lake next to the hut, children can let off steam while adults enjoy the view. Animals graze on the pastures; keep your distance and close pasture gates behind you.
Continuing from the hut
The Plantapatsch hut is the natural hub on the Watles. From here it is about an hour and around 110 metres of ascent to the Pfaffensee lakes on trails no. 4 and 4A. To the Watles summit you keep climbing on trail no. 3; the whole tour from the hotel measures 5.9 kilometres and 828 metres of ascent.
A panorama trail (no. 8A and no. 8) leads from the hut to the Sesvenna hut in the Schlinig valley. That is a long tour for a day of its own; take it on only with good fitness and a look at the weather.
Practical tips and safety
The hut lies at around 2,140 m, almost 400 metres higher than the hotel. It can be much cooler and windier there. Take rain protection, a warm layer, sturdy footwear, sun protection and enough water, and check the weather and trail conditions beforehand. In early summer patches of snow often remain, and in autumn it can snow early.
You can stop at the Höfer alp, the Plantapatsch hut and the inns in Prämajur. Which of them are open depends on the season; you will find information on this and on the chairlift on watles.net.
You reach Prämajur from Mals by bus no. 277. With the Reschensee Guest Pass, train and bus travel throughout South Tyrol is included in your stay; current timetables are on suedtirolmobil.info.
Frequently asked questions
- How long is the trail to the Plantapatsch hut?
- From the Watles valley station it is about 3.4 kilometres and roughly 400 metres of ascent. Allow one and a half to two hours uphill; the way back follows the same route.
- Is the hike suitable for children?
- Yes, the hotel rates it as easy. On the way there are the Höfer alp with a small petting zoo and, at the top, the play lake. The ascent is still a mountain hike: plan breaks and take your time.
- Can my dog come along?
- From the hotel's point of view, yes. Livestock graze on the pastures, so keep your dog on a lead there.
- Do I have to walk all the way up?
- No. The operator also names the Watles chairlift as a comfortable way to the hut. Whether it runs is shown on watles.net.
Related excursions
More hiking tips
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Further pages
Watles: hiking tip PlantapatschWatles: all hiking tipsSüdtirol Mobil: timetables