Gantkofel and Bergner Cross

A cautious look towards the rock wall is advisable, especially in late spring during snowmelt or after a thunderstorm, to prevent possible rockfalls. With a firmly anchored safety cable, the key section over the ladder should cause no trouble. If the ladder is still too airy for you, you can bypass to the left through a rock hole. The last meters on a good zigzag path are soon overcome, the nearby Bergner Cross (1,784 m) beckons from the right. It is reached in fifteen minutes on grassy ground. Nothing now stands in the way of enjoying the summit. The west side of the Mendel ridge is wide and wooded. Barbecue area, table and bench invite you to linger.

The descent leads back down to the notch. You hike a bit further on the 546 trail until the crossing 500 trail is reached, on this southwards to the Prinzenwiesen. In some hiking maps and on signposts, Prinzhütte is noted, but only a few boards remain of the former barn. The subsequent trail 545 leads from the wide forest area of the Mendel range back towards the east side of the Mendel ridge, towards Überetsch. In a long traverse, first still southward, then with a distinctive change of direction, it goes northeast on a narrow, sometimes rocky forest trail back to the starting point. With satisfaction and cozy contentment, the gaze will probably linger long on the summit cross.

Dining options: Gasthof Buchwald at start or arrival, none along the way