MTB 17 Hochplatten Runde

Route : Rottau (538 m) - Vordere Rottauer Alm (823 m) - near Kleiner Staffen - junction (1128 m) - Plattenalm (1320 m) - saddle - Piesenhauser Hochalm (1440 m) - saddle - Plattenalm - junction (1128 m) - Staffn-Alm (1050 m) - Marquartstein (590 m) - Grassau (538 m) - Rottau

The touring fun starts at the Tourist Info in Rottau. Alternative starting points are Grassau (Tourist Info) and Marquartstein (Hochplattenbahn valley station). Along the Rottauer Bach you cycle on the finest forest road flat into the shady and cool Rottauer Tal and turn east after the Vordere Rottauer Alm. In a large right-hand bend, the road runs through extensive alpine pastures to a junction. Here you keep heading south and fight your way steeply - past the Plattenalm with its original outhouse - through the north flank of the Hochplatte to a wide saddle between the Haberspitz and the Hochplatte. From here, the tireless can climb to one of the two viewing peaks on foot. Not far from the Almensattel, the Piesenhauser Hochalm awaits with the best view - and just as good food and drink. After the rest, it's the same way back to the junction and straight ahead up to the nearby Staffn-Alm at the mountain station of the Hochplattenbahn. On a wide but steep road (trail tolerance!) you brake down to the valley station of the Hochplattenbahn, roll past the fairy tale park almost to Grassau and on the bike path along the main road back to Rottau.

Highlights : long and demanding ascent, lots of bike & hike options on mountains with beautiful views, cozy huts along the way

Bike & Hike : from the Almen area under the Staffn-Alm to the Kleinstaffen (1250 m); from the saddle at the Piesenhauser Hochalm to the Haberspitz (1433 m) or to the Hochplatte (1587 m)

Information : Tourist Info Grassau, Kirchplatz 3, Tel. 0 86 41/69 79 60, www.grassau.info