Plattkofel is a mountain in the Dolomites of South Tyrol, northern Italy. It is one of the best-known peaks of the **Sassolungo / Langkofel group** and is especially recognizable for its broad, plateau-like summit profile.

## Basic facts
- **Name:** Plattkofel  
- **Italian name:** **Sasso Piatto**
- **Language region:** South Tyrol / Südtirol, Italy
- **Mountain range:** Dolomites
- **Group:** Langkofel (Sassolungo) group
- **Height:** about **2,968 m** above sea level
- **Character:** a large, flat-topped mountain (“plateau rock”), less spire-like than neighboring peaks

## Geography and appearance
Plattkofel rises on the border area between the **Val Gardena / Gröden** and the **Seiser Alm / Alpe di Siusi** region. It forms part of the dramatic Dolomite skyline together with:
- **Langkofel / Sassolungo**
- surrounding towers and ridges of the Sassolungo group
- the high pasture landscapes of the Seiser Alm

Its shape is unusual for the Dolomites: instead of a narrow pinnacle, it has a **broad summit ridge**, which is where the German name “Plattkofel” and the Italian “Sasso Piatto” come from.

## Hiking and access
Plattkofel is famous as a major **hiking objective** rather than just a technical climbing peak.

### Common approaches
- **From Seiser Alm / Alpe di Siusi:** a popular starting point because the high plateau makes access relatively easy
- **From Val Gardena / Gröden:** routes from the Langkofel area, often combining lifts and mountain trails
- **Circuits around the Sassolungo group:** many hikers pass near Plattkofel on longer scenic routes

### Hike characteristics
- Long but usually well-marked alpine trails
- Spectacular views of the Dolomites
- Often done as a **mountain hut-to-hut** or **circular day hike**
- In summer it’s a classic destination for experienced hikers; in winter the area is also used for snowshoeing and skiing in the broader Seiser Alm region

## Mountaineering
While Plattkofel is not among the most technical Dolomite climbs, it still has:
- **steeper sections**
- **rocky terrain**
- potential exposure and rapidly changing weather

There are climbing routes on the mountain, but most visitors experience it through hiking trails. The Dolomites can be deceptively serious even on “easy” routes.

## Nature and landscape
The mountain is part of the **Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site**, known for:
- pale limestone/dolomite rock
- dramatic erosion forms
- alpine meadows and scree slopes
- strong contrasts between green pastures and rugged rock faces

Typical flora in the surrounding area includes alpine grasses, flowers, and larch and conifer forests at lower elevations. Wildlife may include chamois, marmots, and alpine birds.

## Tourism and nearby attractions
Plattkofel is often visited together with:
- **Seiser Alm / Alpe di Siusi**
- **Langkofel / Sassolungo**
- **Sella Group**
- **Ortisei / St. Ulrich**
- **Selva di Val Gardena / Wolkenstein**
- mountain huts such as those on the Seiser Alm and in the Sassolungo area

## Cultural and linguistic note
South Tyrol is bilingual or trilingual in many places. So you’ll often see the mountain referred to as:
- **Plattkofel** in German
- **Sasso Piatto** in Italian

This reflects the region’s German- and Italian-speaking cultural background.

## Why it is well known
Plattkofel stands out because it combines:
- one of the Dolomites’ most scenic settings
- accessibility from the Seiser Alm
- a distinctive, flat summit profile
- excellent hiking opportunities
- iconic views of the Sassolungo massif

If you want, I can also give you:
1. a **detailed hiking guide** for Plattkofel,  
2. **how to get there**,  
3. the **best viewpoints and photo spots**, or  
4. a **map-style overview of the surrounding mountains and huts**.
