Sambock

Access: From Pfalzen in the Puster Valley, follow a good road to the small mountain village of Platten (parking available near the Lechnerhof guesthouse at 1,586 m). From there, follow trail no. 66A and the signs for “Sambock.” The route leads partly steep, partly moderately uphill along footpaths and forest roads through woodland and past a hunter’s hut to the tree line. Continue across grassy and heathery slopes to the broad ridge plateau “Auf den Platten” (2,175 m), then gently uphill northward along the grassy ridge to the summit (2,396 m; 2:30–3 hours from Lechnerhof).

Descent: The safest option is to return via the ascent route (approx. 2 hours). Experienced hikers may also descend following the marked trail along the north ridge, which is somewhat exposed in places (with a fixed rope at one point), down to a saddle at 2,365 m. From there, return to the starting point either to the left via the Plattner Alm or to the right via the Pitzinger Alm (each approx. 2:30 hours from the summit).