Mountain tour from Plan to the Rif. Petrarca hut

We start our hiking tour at the parking space before the small village of Plan (Pfelders), at an altitude of 1,622 m a.s.l. We pass the church and turn right at the restaurant Alpenrose. The hiking trail starts behind the first mountain hut we pass. After about half an hour we reach the Lazins Mountain Hut (Lazinser Hütte) and further 30 minutes later the beautiful Lazins Alpine Pasture (Lazinser Alm, 1,882 m a.s.l.) in the Tessa Nature Park. Passing the alpine pasture, the trail leads zigzag and sometimes very steeply upwards into the mountains of the Upper Va Passiria and offers great views of some beautiful mountain lakes.

After four hours of hiking and an altitude difference of more than 1,250 m we finally reach the Rifugio Petrarca mountain hut (Stettiner Hütte). Here, at 2,875 m a.s.l., right under the Passo Gelato, we enjoy a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountain panorama. The mountain hut was originally built in the years between 1805 and 1897 and extended from 1900 to 1913. After it was partly destroyed by an avalanche in 1931, it became part of the Merano section of the CAI. In 2014 again an avalanche destroyed the mountain hut, but it has been rebuilt.

After a tasty local lunch we hike back down to our starting point on the same way. Alternatively, one could stay overnight in the Rifugio Petrarca mountain hut and/or hike through the Val di Fosse down to the Val Senales valley. The parking space of Plan is the last possibility to leave your car, because the village centre is closed off by a gate. Don't forget warm clothes, also at midsummer it can get very cold! Not suitable for persons who suffer from vertigo!

Author: MC