KRONPLATZ – THE KING OF THE DOLOMITES
Of course, there are many different ways to approach this MTB region. For us, however, there is only one place that can satisfy us mountain addicted mountain bikers; the top of the famous Kronplatz.
Once we arrive at our destination, we hop on the cable car and go straight to the summit – whether from Olang, Gassl, Reischach or the Furkel Pass doesn’t matter. It is the same for every fanatic; we want to see the top of the mountain. Once at the top, you can take a deep breath, let your gaze wander 360° over the Dolomites, greet old acquaintances like the Marmolada and the Three Peaks and then go to the museum.
"Once at the top, you can take a deep breath, let your gaze wander 360° over the Dolomites."
You read that right, yes! Because here at 2,275 meters above sea level, two unique mountain museums provide the right mindset. Both the legendary Messner Mountain Museum Corones and the LUMEN Photo Museum bring us directly into the fascination of the mountains. This immediately provides a respectful encounter with the UNESCO World Heritage Site the Dolomites. On the summit plateau, with the view of the pale mountains and the green alpine meadows of the Pustertal Valley – and immediately the impressive panorama of the Alps – we automatically set our mountain biking goals higher. So the Kronplatz biking bucket list is full after only a few hours! And it is wonderfully varied.
So is the program only crammed with spectacular trails?
No, certainly not, because after all, this MTB vacation region is just a stone’s throw from the cultural and culinary center of Bruneck. So of course a little Alpine-Mediterranean city flair should not and will not be missing from the program of this mountain bike vacation. But first let’s go in search of some adrenaline shots!
Four MTB areas under one crown
You’ll find the four mountain bike areas – MTB Area Antholz, Skills Park Cir in St. Vigil, Kids Area Panorama and the new MTB Skill Area in Olang – all under one roof. Here you can improve your technique and skills before venturing onto the Dolomite trails and alpine tours. The Pustertal Valley Cycling Trail – the 105-km main cycling route that connects the gigantic network of bike trails between East Tyrol, South Tyrol and Trentino – is also a good place to start. It is a great way to get to know the unique and wildly romantic side valleys, such as the Braies Valley, the Casies Valley or the Anterselva Valley. Here foxes and hares still say goodnight to each other, clocks tick slower and mountain bikers greet each other. Slowing down in the South Tyrolean natural landscape almost comes naturally.
35 MTB routes – 17 downhill tracks – 3 natural parks
But now, however, we want to speed up! And so begins the sweet agony of choosing in the Bike Approved Area Nature and Trail. Besides the picturesque villages of Kiens, Bruneck, Olang and St. Vigil, there are no less than 35 (!) mountain bike routes and 17 down-hill tracks in the Bike Park Kronplatz and three nature parks to explore. One is the legendary Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park, which stretches across the Braies Valley with Lake Braies to Dobbiaco and the Alta Badia.
If you want to save energy, use the five elevators and/or the electric support options with the e-bike. Numerous e-bike charging stations, mountain huts and inns ensure that you won’t run out of energy during your explorations.
Into the valley with Hans & Franz
The MTB highlights are too numerous and diverse to mention. But the most appealing one is of course the favorite single trail of every South Tyrolean enthusiast, the Herrnsteig. The alpine single trail classic of 9 km and 1,300 vertical meters on Kronplatz, with its two very popular variants Hans & Franz, is among everyone’s highlights. The Gassl Trail (6.3 km and 883 altimeters) and the Dragon Trail (2 km and 178 altimeters) are also not to be missed in the Kronplatz region. On the two shorter singletrails even beginners can earn their Dolomite spurs – and advanced riders can simply have lots of downhill fun!
And if you need a higher goal after all this, you can go for the absolute coronation. Dare your chance to sit on the throne as king! Then take part in the KronplatzKing MTB Marathon on August 31, 2024. That’s another way to get closer to the Kronplatz MTB region. And as always, the start is high at the top of Kronplatz at 2,275 meters altitude.
