Plätzwiese in South Tyrol in winter

Excursion to Plätzwiese in Prags Valley

The Plätzwiese is a well-known high plateau in the Prags Valley in the Dolomites. At an altitude of 2,000 meters, this highland is located in South Tyrol. Dreamy views, beautiful walks, and of course, the incredible mountain world of the Fanes Sennes Prags Nature Park enchant this landscape. The Plätzwiese in South Tyrol is undoubtedly one of the perfect afternoon excursion destinations in the Dolomites. But not only in summer does the Plätzwiese seem to be a true highlight, but also in winter you can fully enjoy the nature of the Dolomites and also take a look at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Drei Zinnen.

How to reach the Plätzwiese

The amazing highland in the Prags Valley can be reached from two villages in the Hochpustertal. In Schluderbach, a district of Toblach, a leisurely hiking trail starts directly to the Plätzwiese in South Tyrol. Now you may wonder where is Schluderbach? If you drive from the village of Toblach in the Hochpustertal to Höhlensteintal, past the Toblacher See and Dürrensee, you come to the junction Cortina - Misurina. Schluderbach is right here. For hikers as well as mountain bikers, the tour to Plätzwiese starts here.
The most commonly used option to reach the Plätzwiese in South Tyrol is from the Prags Valley itself. On the Pustertal Road between Welsberg and Niederdorf, there is the junction to the famous Prags Valley. Arrived in Prags, turn left to Altprags, where the journey continues to Brückele. From here, you can drive to the Plätzwiese by car. However, car access is only permitted from 10:30 a.m. and from 3:00 p.m. in the afternoon.

The following times should be noted:

By car from Brückele - Plätzwiese (Prags Valley):

-          Authorized from 10:30 a.m. and from 3:00 p.m. (free of charge)

-          Departure is possible at any time

-          No passage for private buses and campers

By bus from Brückele - Plätzwiese (Prags Valley):

-          A shuttle bus runs every 30 minutes from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

-          Prices: €4 for adults and €1 for children aged 6-10 years

-          Children under 6 years travel for free

Two mountain huts and a hotel at Plätzwiese

Arriving at the Plätzwiese in South Tyrol, you already enjoy the fantastic view of the beautiful mountains of the Fanes Sennes Prags Nature Park. Especially in winter, this landscape is a spectacle. Snowy forests, impressive mountains, and groomed cross-country ski trails invite you to an extraordinary adventure at an altitude of 2,000 meters in the Prags Valley. In the middle of the snow-covered cliffs of the 2,939 m high Dürrenstein and the highest mountain in the Prags Dolomites, the 3,148 m Hohe Gaisl, there are even two mountain huts and a hotel that remain open in winter as well. On the south side, the side of the Prags Valley, there is the Gasthaus Plätzwiese and the charming Hotel Hohe Gaisl, a truly unique offer to spend your winter holiday in the Dolomites. If the cold is too strong, you can warm up here with a tea or mulled wine or even stay overnight. The so-called Dürrensteinhütte, named after the mountain Dürrenstein, can be found on the north side towards Schluderbach. From there, the cozy hike to the Heimkehrerkreuz is especially recommended in winter.

Strudelkopf and Dürrenstein with a view of the Drei Zinnen

From the Plätzwiese in South Tyrol, you can reach two breathtaking summit crosses. The summit cross of the 2,839 m high Dürrenstein and the Heimkehrerkreuz on the so-called Studelkopf. The Dürrenstein is less recommended to climb in winter, but more so the Studelkopf, which is already reachable after a 20-minute hike/walk from the Dürrensteinhütte. Both summits have one thing in common: the admirable view of the famous Drei Zinnen of the Sexten Dolomites.

The hike to the Dürrenstein is possible even in winter, despite the heavy snow, but one should be careful, especially on the last meters, which are secured with a wire rope. This hike is estimated to take about 2.5 hours.

My conclusion:

If you have ever dreamed of experiencing the Dolomites in winter, you have to drive to the Prags Valley up to Plätzwiese. You can experience unique pictures here at an altitude of 2,000 meters. I can especially recommend the hike to Strudelkopf in winter. If you start here early in the morning, you will be rewarded with an amazing Dolomite panorama. Because at this time, the fog is still stuck in the valleys.