The Kronplatz Bike Park is anything but ordinary. Instead of sketching trails on a drawing board, we went right into the forest and used whatever we found: Steep slope? Steep trail. Plenty of space? Perfect for jumps. Roots all over the place? Well, we’re in a forest, so there will be roots. In places where dredging was allowed, we put our excavators to work. And wherever it wasn’t, well, we didn’t. The result: At Kronplatz, there’s no copy-paste – each trail tells its own story.
And the trail names are quite unique, too: Franz and Hans are already legendary. They’ve been a household name in the community for years. But their successors are by no means inferior to them and have long been among the favourites of countless TrailTrophy and Alpine Enduro Series participants.
18 trails await you: 1 easy-moderate, 3 moderate, 10 moderate-difficult and 2 difficult.
With a total of 5 lifts and cable-cars (Kronplatz 2000 lift, Olang 1+2 lift, Ried lift, Ruis lift and Piz de Plaies lift) up and running all summer, our mountain bikers are spoilt for choice – that’s more than most places in the Alps can say for themselves. And with the exception of the Piz de Plaies lift, they all lead right to the peak at 2,272 m above sea-level, complete with jaw-dropping 360° views.
What goes up comes back around
Uschi branches off the Richard-Anton trail and is brand-new: Hand-crafted in 2020, this trail through the woods is one to watch out for: It starts off with a climb to its highest point, after which it's bend after bend, roller after roller and some more tricky challenges that require creative solutions. Uschi briefly forks off Richard-Anton before merging back into it again just before it ends.
Length: 600 m
Difference in altitude: 81 m
Level: medium to difficult
Incredibly long, insanely challenging and winding like there's no tomorrow: The Herrnsteig freeride trail is already legendary. One of the Alps' very best, it starts with a 20-minute cable car ride to the top of Mount Kronplatz and takes you down the north face of the mountain on an 8 km bare-knuckle ride worth an impressive 1300 m of difference in altitude. And it never has to be the same: On both sides of the original trail, a number of track alternatives branch off – towards endless fun and kicks. The perfect trail for pros and medium-advanced riders.
The biking tour from Gais to Campo Tures/Sand in Taufers through the idyllic landscape along the river Aurino/Ahr is suitable for families and flat. The starting point is the children's playground in the center of Gais; the bike path, brings vacationers across meadows, fields and villages along the Aurino river, until the waterfalls of Riva di Tures/Rein in Taufers are reached, before Campo Tures. It's a marked cycle path that passes partly on roads, partly on streets of access to farms and on paths through the fields. The return journey follows the same route.
This variation of the bike path continues from Brunico in the direction of S. Lorenzo|St. Lorenzen to the former Roman road station, Mansio Sebatum. Excavations and a museum offer the opportunity to learn more about the Romans in the Pustertal. The route goes from San Lorenzo to San Vigilio or to San Martin – 23 or 24 km (14.5 or 15 miles).
The masterpiece
First opened in 2018, this hand-made trail in the lower part of Kronplatz branches off from the Andreas trail after the first few bends. Compared to Andreas, Alex requires a bit more pedalling and an active, anticipatory riding style. The trail is a true masterpiece and mountain bikers far and wide love it: The feedback at the 2018 TrailTrophy was quite simply overwhelming.
Level: medium to difficult
Fitness & Fun
This trail is best described as a bit of a rascal: cheeky, naughty, unpredictable and rough around the edges. The perfect trail to break a sweat and have tons of fun while toiling away. But a word of caution: It’s only suitable for riders who are already good at manoeuvring their bike safely.
Christian starts at the Bergfreundehütte inn, where it forks off from the Herrnsteig trail. After about 1 km, it merges with the Franz trail.
Length: 636 m
Difference in altitude: 92 m
Level: medium to difficult
The tour starts at the sports field in Pfalzen and follows MTB Route No. 441 through beautiful forested areas to the Pitzinger Alm, passing the Kofler am Kofel guesthouse and returning to the sports zone in Pfalzen. From the starting point, the route takes you along a paved road toward Platten, through green valleys and gentle hills. Soon, you reach a wooded area where the fresh mountain air makes the ride especially pleasant.
The trail winds through dense vegetation, offering occasional open views of the surrounding mountains and valley. Some challenging sections include steeper climbs, but the breathtaking views and idyllic nature make every effort worthwhile.
Once you reach the Pitzinger Alm, surrounded by an impressive mountain backdrop, it’s a perfect spot for a well-deserved break. The return route leads back to the Pfalzen sports zone, passing the Kofler am Kofel guesthouse, where you can savor local cuisine. Here, the views of the Kronplatz and the Dolomites are truly spectacular.
#hansthetrail
Hans is, in a way, an extension of Franz. Painstakingly carved and hewn into the slope over the course of countless hours of manual labour, it boasts bends, waves and steep sections galore – all of which come in rapid succession. This ever-changing trail requires full concentration from top to bottom: pure bliss for experienced mountain bikers.
Beginners beware: Chances are that Hans might be a bit overwhelming, so we recommend staying on the original Herrnsteig trail.
Length: 750 m
Difference in altitude: 187 m
Level: medium to difficult
Rocks and Rolls
Introduced in 2019, Richard-Anton is a kilometre’s worth of pure awesomeness with a fierce uphill stretch at the start, plus hand-carved waves and bends throughout. The absolute highlight and a top-notch spot for action shots: the rock roller in the upper third of the trail. A dream come true.
The trail starts directly opposite the entrance to the second part of the Korer trail and is not connected to the lifts.
Level: medium to difficult
Pleasant bike ride to Schmieden/Ferrara in Prags/Braies. You start your bike tour in Niederdorf/Villabassa. First you follow the bike path in the direction of Welsberg/Monguelfo for about 3km. Now it goes along the Pragser Bach river. You reach the village of Schmiedern/Ferrara.
From 07/10/ - 09/10/ the Braies Valley will be traffic calmed. It is possible to continue driving to the Pragser Wildsee during this period of time. Also suitable for e-bikes.
The tour begins in the Pfalzen sports area. You’ll start on a paved road that gently climbs through the village of Pfalzen. After the first few kilometers, the surroundings grow denser, and the forest provides a pleasant coolness.
After a light ascent, you’ll reach the first fork in the road. Here, follow the marked path and the sign for MTB Route 442. The path now becomes a bit steeper and will test your endurance. The trail winds through nature, passing scattered trees and shrubs, occasionally opening up to views of the surrounding valley and the Dolomites.
After one final climb, you’ll reach your destination, the Kofler am Kofel Inn. Here, you can enjoy a well-deserved break with regional cuisine and scenic views before returning along the same route.
You start your bike tour in Niederdorf/Villabassa. Along the Platari you get to Welsberg/Monguelfo. There you follow the cycle path past the Valdaora reservoir to Rasen/Rasun. From Rasen/Rasun to Antholz Niedertal valley you will only find a very small difference in altitude. You will pass Antholz Mittertal vally and Antholz Obertal Vally. Your destination is the Anholzer See lake at 1,640m. Also suitable for e-bikes.
The easiest trail in the Kronplatz family: Launched in mid-2015, it winds down the eastern face of the mountain from the middle station Olang 1+2 lift over countless bends all the way down to Casola-Gassl. Although it’s chock-full of easy jumps and low-banked curves, its ever-changing route layout won’t distract you from appreciating the stunning panoramic views – a perfect place to whip up an appetite for freeriding!
Located in the lower section of the Herrnsteig trail and dotted with wide and flowing bends, this is the ideal line for riders looking for an alternative to root-covered “classic” trails.
Level: medium
Easy bike tour through the lower Pustertal Valley, with some slight ascents.
The Herrnsteig trail's little brother too is packed with flow and curves. But while it's nowhere near as wild and bumpy, its 124 bends and turns between the top of Mount Kronplatz and Passo Furcia make it at least equally winding and dizzying. To get back up to the top, simply hop on the Ruis cable car at Passo Furcia. The big challenge on this trail is to master it without pedalling and with as little use of the brakes as possible. It is ideal for medium-advanced and pro bikers who wish to get to most out of an active riding style.
This scenic tour leads from Bruneck via the Pustertal Valley cycle route to Brixen.
This line offers a more comfortable and flowing alternative to the far rougher and more technical Herrnsteig trail section.
Level: easy to medium
#franzthetrail
Franz is awesome and a bit reminiscent of Little Canada. Together with Hans, it is among the first completely hand-built trails at Kronplatz and absolutely not suited for newbies. And quite frankly, some of its sections will even make most pros break a sweat. Today, Franz is one of the coolest trails at Kronplatz – and a MTB dream come true for many riders. Where to find it? It branches off from the Herrnsteig trail a little above the Herzlalm inn.
Length: 978 m
Difference in altitude: 207 m
Level: difficult