Gantkofel – Rising Sheer above the Etschtal/Val d’Adige
The breathtaking view into the Etschtal/Val d’Adige extends from the Texelgruppe/Gruppo di Tessa to King Laurin’s Rose Garden. The Mendelkamm/Costiera della Mendola rises up high like a cliff above Lake Kaltern to the Gampenpass/Passo Palade, forming the border between South Tyrol and Trentino. Its highest summit is the Gantkofel or Monte Macaion at 1866 metres. The eastern face descends vertically for more than 1500 metres into the Etschtal/Val d’Adige; the striking crags are easily identifiable from Meran/Merano.
Our path starts at the car park above St. Felix/San Felice and gradually ascends to the beautifully situated Felixer Weiher/Lake Tret, which we reach after around 40 minutes. The path continues alongside the lake, following the signposts “Gantkofel” or “Macaion”. We then head steeply downhill into a hollow and steeply uphill again. Suddenly, on the edge of the forest, we see the wide summit area and the wooden summit cross. We cautiously approach the edge of the cliff and dare to glance over into the depths. Just as breathtaking are the views into the valley of Bozen/Bolzano, up to the bizarre peaks of the Dolomites and across the Sarntaler Alpen/Alpi Sarentine as far as the mysterious mountain peaks of the Texelgruppe/Gruppo di Tessa.
We can return by the same path or complete a circular hike.
Info:
Route rating/description: easy mountain hike
Mountain range: Mendelkamm/Costiera della Mendola
Length: 16 km
Time: 4 ½ – 5 hours
Highest point: 1866 m
Elevation gain: 750 m
Ideal time of year: May to October or snowshoe hike in winter.
