Overview
Plattenjoch seen from the east |
At 2460m Plattenjoch belongs to the less impressive mountains of the
Sarntal Alps / Monti Sarentini. It is part of the
Kassian Group of the mountain range, more or less in its center - or to be more precise - in the middle of the eastern branch of the
Sarntal Horseshoe. Its direct neighbours include
Kassianspitze / Cima San Cassiano,
Getrumspitze / Cima Getruna and Blankenhorn / Corno Bianco. Very often it is climbed together with the latter two as the three mountains make up a single ridge. Two more lower mountains form this ridge:
Pichlberg and
Morgenrast / Monte Matina.
As you can imagine the biggest thing in the area is the five summits hike, of which Plattenjoch is the central one. It is recommendable at all times of the year. In winter the ridge traverse can be done as a ski tour with low avalanche potential. Up- and downside alike is the ski / chair lift which runs from
Reinswald / San Martino to the
Pichlberg summitt. While it facilitates access greatly in the winter season as well as during the hot summer moths it ensures crowds on the mountains. Moreover, in late winter skiing activity grinds away the runs on the
Pichlberg and
Plattenjoch west faces which gives the slopes a rather raw appearance. The best time to climb the mountain is in autumn - September or October - when the ski lifts are maintained for the winter season and only experienced hikes head out for the summits.
As a lookout peak, Jochplatte is as good a mountain as you can have it in the Sarntal Alps. Moderate in elevation the 360° panorama includes
Dolomites,
Brenta Group,
Ortler / Ortles Group,
Ötztal Alps and
Stubai Alps. The main ridge of the Stubai Alps is hiddden behind the higher
Blankenhorn / Corno Bianco and
Getrumspitze / Cima Getruna. In all an enjoyable summit, also manageable with kids.
Note: I have not been able to find the Italian name of the peak. The addition would be very welcome.
360° Summit Panorama
360° summit panorama from Plattenjoch |
Getting There
The best trailhead for
Plattenjochis at
Reinswald / San Martino in
Sarntal / Val Sarentino (or rather
Durnholztal / Valdurna). There are ski lifts which run to neighbouring Pichlberg, which is only about 100m lower than Jochplatte.
You also can start in Eisacktal / Valle d'Isarco but the route is very long. Moreover there are more interesting summits if you start from this side.
- Take Brenner Motorway A22 to Bozen / Bolzano
- Drive through the city, following signs to Sarntal / Val Sarentino on SS508
- At Astfeld / Campolasta turn off onto SP137, direction Durnholz / Valdurna
- At Unterreinswald / San Martino Bassa turn onto SP138 to Reinswald / San Martino. Park at the cable-car station.
Red Tape
Stubai Alps Main Ridge from Plattenjoch |
There's no red tape. You might have to cross pasture gates which you are requested to shut behind you.
Accommodation
Eisacktal / Valle Isarco
Bozen / Bolzano
Weather Conditions
Maps & Books
Maps
- Digital Maps
- Regular Maps
- Sarntal/Val Sarentino
Kompass Map WK 056
1:35.000
ISBN: 3-85491-340-0
- Brixen / Bressanone
Kompass Map WK 56
1:50.000
ISBN: 3-85491-063-0
- Bozen / Bolzano
Kompass Map WK 54
1:50.000
ISBN: 3-85491-061-4
- BOLZANO-RENON / BOZEN-RITTEN-TSCHÖGGLBERG
Tabacco Map 034
1:25.000
- MONTE SARENTINI / SARNTALER ALPEN
Tabacco Map 040
1:25.000
Books
- Bozen-Salten-Schlern
Kompass Guidebook WF953
Kompass Verlag
ISBN: 3-85491-406-7
- Rund um Bozen
Helmut Dumler
Rother Verlag
ISBN: 3-7633-4267-2