goenneralm huette
goenneralm huette

Malga Gönner and the Earth Pillars of Plata

During this comfortable hiking tour in the Val Pusteria valley, we discover two highlights: the Malga Gönner, one of the most popular mountain huts of South Tyrol and the earth pillars of Plata

The mountain hamlet of Plata is located at the sunny side of the Vedrette di Ries mountain group above Perca. By car or bus we reach Plata resp. the car park P3 shortly before the village via a mountain road. From the parking space we follow the signpost “Erdpyramiden”, which leads us past the Schönblick tavern to Plata and then along a meadow path up towards the earth pillars. Since the light conditions in the valley of the earth pillars are not so good in the morning, we decide to hike first to the Malga Gönner mountain hut and visit the natural monument on our way back.

To reach the Malga Gönner hut we follow from here the markers 16A and later 6. The more leisurely variant, on the other hand, follows the forest road, which is no longer asphalted from the upper farms of Plata but leads as a good gravel path up to the alpine hut. Arrived at the mountain hut, we can not only enjoy an outstanding view from the Dolomites to the Ortles Group and the main Alpine ridge. The Malga Gönner is also a tip for friends of delicious local cuisine and was nominated the most popular alpine hut in South Tyrol in 2017. It is open from May to October.

On our way back we finally can admire the earth pillars of Plata. A few hundred metres long path leads from the curve of the forest road at the upper farms of Plata directly to the impressive witnesses of erosion. Probably they are the most magnificent earth pillars of South Tyrol that can be seen from several viewpoints along the Pyramidenweg path.

Author: AT

alpine pasture hike suited for families difficulty: moderate
  • Starting point:
    parking space P3 in Plata above Perca
  • Time required:
    03:20 h
  • Track length:
    11,6 km
  • Altitude:
    from 1.415 m to 1.977 m
  • Altitude difference:
    +597 m | -597 m
  • Route:
    Plata – Malga Gönner mountain hut – earth pillars – Plata
  • Signposts:
    Gönneralm, Pyramidenweg
  • Destination:
    Malga Gönner Alm
  • Resting points:
    Malga Gönner Alm
  • Recommended time of year:
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Download GPX track:
    Malga Gönner and the Earth Pillars of Plata

If you want to do this hike, we suggest you to check the weather and trail conditions in advance and on site before setting out.

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