Round tour to the Monte Forca Grande

This circular tour crosses three peaks of the Plose and provides an excellent view of the surrounding area

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The Plose Cable Car takes us from Sant’Andrea up to the mountain station.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Before we start we enjoy a drink at the La Finestra restaurant at the top station.
Foto: AT, © Peer
We follow the WoodyWalk, a beautiful panoramic path with view on the Odle Group in the background.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The WoodyWalk offers wooden sculptures and play facilities for children at various stations.
Foto: AT, © Peer
From the meadows near Kreuztal the path leads into the forest.
Foto: AT, © Peer
There is also a Kneipp station along the path which we follow towards the Rossalm Mountain Hut.
Foto: AT, © Peer
To reach the mountain hut, we then take path no. 17A.
Foto: AT, © Peer
After a short, steep ascent we reach the Rossalm mountain tavern.
Foto: AT, © Peer
We continue along the Dolomite Panorama Path.
Foto: AT, © Peer
View over the autumnal heath landscape towards Palmschoss and Eores.
Foto: AT, © Peer
At Guflanegg, the unmarked trail (left in the picture) branches off towards Mt. Gabler.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Across the now autumnally coloured, moderately steep meadows, we walk up to the summit.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Soon we reach the top of the 2,575 m high mountain: Mt. Gabler is the highest elevation of the Plose.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Towards the south-east there is a view from Mt. Sasso Putia (right) to the Fanes Group and the Dolomite Groups behind it.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Towards northwest we can see the next stage of our round trip: In the middle of the picture you can see the path to the Small Gabler.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Caution is particularly important during the descent to the Gabler Ridge, as the terrain is rocky and sometimes a little slippery: But it is possible to cling to the ropes.
Foto: AT, © Peer
We do not climb up to Small Gabler, but stay on the main path, the Gabler Path (marker no. 7) and continue to Mt. Pfannspitz.
Foto: AT, © Peer
On the southwest slope of Mt. Pfannspitz, there is the Pfannspitz Mountain Hut, the first stop after a long time: We use it for our lunch break.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Sheep graze on the meadows near the hut.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Back on the Gabler Path we walk along the ridge around the Forcella di Luson to the Plose Mountain Hut, which is located south of the summit of Mt. Telegrafo.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Always beautiful: The view towards the Odle Peaks.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The Plose Hut at about 2,440 m a.s.l. is the last stage destination before the descent.
Foto: AT, © Peer
On one of the paths that lead directly down to the mountain station of the Plose Cable Car, we complete the last part of our circular hike.
Foto: AT, © Peer

Easy and moderate paths are on our agenda this September day. We take the cable car from Sant'Andrea near Bressanone up to the Plose. The first section of the trail runs gently along the WoodyWalk, a panoramic path at the tree line designed specifically for families. We then follow the signpost to the Rossalm. This mountain hut serves South Tyrolean cuisine and provides diners with a wonderful view over the roofs of Bressanone. Next, we choose the Dolomites Panoramic Trail.

It ascends gently through the heathland towards the east. After a loop at the foot of Monte Forca Grande (Grosser Gabler), we reach the junction at Guflanegg. Here we take the path that leads directly up to Monte Forca Grande. Together with the Monte Fana (Pfannspitz), it is one of the two well-known peaks on the Plose. Step by step, we climb the grass-covered mountain peak.

The summit cross stands at an altitude of 2,575 metres, where the view of the surrounding area opens up. Now follows a short, steep descent on path no. 7 down to the Forcella Forca ridge. From there, the panoramic trail leads over to the Monte Fana, the second peak on our route.

Only the Monte Telegrafo, or Telegraph, remains. We take our lunch break at the Monte Fana Hut situated below. Afterwards, we continue along the ridge to the Plose Hut at the Monte Telegrafo. The view of the Dolomites with the Odle and the massive Sasso Putia is particularly impressive.

The descent to the Plose mountain station follows one of the paths starting right by the Plose Hut. We choose the route via the Valcroce (Kreuztal). Incidentally, another themed trail is located near the previously mentioned Monte Fana: the Lorggen Circular Trail.

Author: AT

Experienced: September 2019
Last updated: 2026

alpine pasture hike circular route difficulty: moderate tailored for children

Starting point:

mountain station of the Plose Cable Car above Bressanone (2,020 m a.s.l.)
Overall time:

04:00 h
Total route length:

11,3 km
Altitude:

from 2.020 m to 2.575 m
Altitude difference (uphill | downhill):

+648 m | -648 m
Route:

Plose mountain station - WoodyWalk - Rossalm Hut - Dolomites Panoramic Trail - Monte Forca Grande - Forcella Forca ridge - Monte Fana - Plose Hut at the Monte Telegrafo - Valcroce - Plose mountain station
Signposts:

"WoodyWalk", "Rossalm", no. 17A, "Dolomiten-Panoramaweg", "Gablersteig" (no. 7), "Valcroce"
Destination:

summit of the Monte Gabler (2,575 m a.s.l.)
Resting points:

La Finestra Plose restaurant (May to October), Rossalm Hut, Monte Fana Hut (both from May to November), Plose Hut (June to October)
Recommended time of year:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Download GPX track:

Round tour to the Monte Forca Grande
More information:

The overall time shown above refers to the walking time only, not including breaks or stops.