Holidays in the Dolomites Region Kronplatz

This leg San Candido|Innichen - Lienz is simultaneously the third leg of the Pustertal|Val Pusteria Bike Route and the first leg of the Drava-Drau Bicycle Route which leads from Dobbiaco|Toblach (the source of the Drava) to Maribor in Slovenia. As the name suggests, the wide, secured bike path runs along the Drava River and is paved with a slight descent for nearly the entire route.  For this reason, this leg is especially popular with families with children and bicyclists who may not be in peak condition. The railway route which runs parallel to the bike route makes it possible to plan a trip very individually. And because the bike path receives sufficient use, the infrastructure of services and care is well developed along the route, leaving no wish unfulfilled for bicyclists.

The bike path passes many small villages in East Tyrol, the largest of which is Sillian. That is the location of the beloved Wichtelpark. Lienz, the City of the Dolomites, as it calls itself, has a great deal to offer and can look back on a long history. The settlement, which had been founded back by the Illyrians, was continued by the Romans and developed into the Roman city of Aguntum. 

On beautiful woodland paths with sensational views of the surrounding mountains up to Passo delle Erbe and on to Rifugio Munt de Fornela at the foot of the majestic Monte Putia massif.

 

Starting point: Center of Valdaora di Mezzo/Mitterolang Finish point: Passo Furcia/Furkelpass Altitude difference: 728 m Lenght: 10,2 km

This scenic tour leads from Sexten via the Pustertal Valley cycle route to Olang.

The splendid Sellaronda route takes you round the Sella massif, offering breathtaking glimpses of the legendary Dolomites. The tour starts in San Vigilio. When you reach the centre of Corvara, turn right and take the uphill route towards Passo Gardena. After stopping to admire the Sella massif, continue on the tarmacked road to Passo Sella and from there, go uphill to the highest pass on the route, Pordoi, where a 10km descent begins, with plenty of hairpin bends, leading to the last pass on this route, Passo Campolongo. Continue for 7km to reach Corvara and then return to San Vigilio via Longega.

Start in the centre of San Vigilio and take the provincial road to Pieve di Marebbe, pass the Passo Furcia and arrive to Valdaora. In the centre of Valdaora di Mezzo turn left on the tarmacked cycle path. Pass Castel Lamberto to reach Riscone. Continue on the provincial road as far as Santo Stefano and San Lorenzo. Before San Lorenzo, take the underpass and follow the road to San Martin (municipality of San Lorenzo) and Sares. Lastly, return to San Vigilio via Pieve di Marebbe along a beautiful scenic and very quiet road.

 

Very long circular tour through the magical Fanes area with its stunning landscape. Impressive rock formations, untouched nature and unique animals and plants characterise this nature reserve. Note! Very steep stretch for pushing or carrying bikes down to Capanna Alpina.

 

 

Starting point: Via Furcia/Furkelstraße Alm Finish point: Passo Furcia/Furkelpass Alltitude difference: 206 m Level of difficulty: easy/medium Lenght: 2,6 km Leisure point: Inn Trattes

MTB Skill Area in Oberolang:

• 40 m high level
• Uphill section
• 5 switchbacks
• 2 x small berm
• Nature trail section
• Easy Downhill section
• Difficult Downhill section
• Rockgarden

The start of the trail is super comfortable - from Mitterolang it's only 3 kilometres to the cable car Olang I+II in Gassl - and in about 20 minutes you’re on the summit, ready to start.

From San Vigilio, follow the main road to Corvara, where the zigzags begin for Passo Campolongo. Cross the pass, follow the road downhill for Arabba and then Selva di Cadore. Here is where the very hard ascent of about 900m of difference in height begins, towards Passo Giau, one of the most breathtaking passes in the Dolomites. Continue downhill to Pocol, a small village before Cortina where, on the left, you take the last ascent to Passo Falzarego. Lastly pass through Passo Valparola, San Cassiano, La Villa and Longega, and back to San Vigilio.

On the San Candido|Innichen to Brunico|Bruneck leg, the green color of the meadows, fields, and forests dominates the view. Along the railway route, sometimes through inhabited areas and sometimes through an undisturbed natural landscape, the bike path runs with a constant up and down from village to village as far as Brunico, the economic center of the Pustertal|Val Pusteria. 

After the start in San Candido, the absolute first destination that is reached is the village of Dobbiaco|Toblach, the highest point of the entire leg. Following the Rienza-Rienz down the valley, the cyclist will then continue on to Villabassa|Niederdorf and Monguelfo|Welsberg. Anyone who would like to enjoy a game of golf can do so here in the newly built miniature golf course. For all culture lovers, a visit to Welsperg Castle is recommended. From Monguelfo, it is not far to Valdaora|Olang. Riders will pass by all three parts of the village, namely Valdaora di Sopra|Oberolang, Valdaora di Mezzo|Mitterolang, and Valdaora di Sotto|Niederolang, and the only problem will be too many choices as to whether there should be a detour to the Kinderwelt (“Kid’s World”) of Valdaora, a visit to the Kron Arc Adventure Park, or a trip to the restored Venetian “Lipper Säge” (Lippa Sawmill).  From Valdaora, the bike path continues downriver through undisturbed nature until the small medieval city of Brunico is reached. Towering high above the roofs of the city is Brunico Castle, while further down on the via Centrale|Stadtgasse, a lively hustle and bustle is going on in the charming shops and the many cafes, inns, and restaurants. In Brunico, there are a whole variety of museums and art treasures to experience. Of particular significance is the Folklore Museum in Teodone|Dietenheim, the Messner Mountain Museum MMM RIPA which is housed in Brunico Castle, and the newest museum, the MMM Corones. The latter is located at an elevation of 2,275 m (7,464 ft.) on the summit of the Kronplatz|Plan de Corones, and it can be reached from Riscone|Reischach by cableway.

Possible variations along the route:

• Valle di Casies-Gsieser Tal Bike Route from Monguelfo to Santa Maddalena-St. Magdalena – 15 km (9.5 miles)
  Experience the rural lifestyle.
• Valle Anterselva-Antholzertal Bike Route from Rasun-Rasen to Anterselva di Mezzo-Antholz Mittertal – 13.5 km (8.5 miles) 
  On the route to one of the most beautiful high mountain lakes in South Tyrol-Südtirol.
• Val Badia Bike Route from Brunico to San Vigilio or to San Martin – 23 or 24 km (14.5 or 15 miles)
  Getting to know the Ladin culture and language.
• Valli di Tures and Aurina-Tauferer Ahrntal Bike Route from Brunico to S. Giacomo-St. Jakob – 36 km (22 miles)
  On two wheels through the realm of more than seventy peaks of three thousand meters (ten thousand feet).

„View over the Valle di Anterselva/Antholzertal“

Nice tour of medium lenght passing the southern woods of Valdaora/Olang in order to arrive at the beautifully situated Alp Angerer, where bikers can enjoy a restorative stop with an amazing view.

Leisure points: Angerer Alm

From Brunecker Rathausplatz drive along the road to St. Lorenzen. There you turn right and follow the path towards St. Martin and then to Maria Saalen. Next, follow the trail towards Plaiken and Enneberg Pfarre. Arrived at the road that leads from Longega to Maria Saalen, turn left and moves up to Plaiken (beautiful church with onion dome) and continued until San Vigilio passing by Enneberg.

New in summer 2022 in the Bike Park Kronplatz is the "Dragon Trail": the trail, over 2 kilometers long, winds along the hillside from the summit to the middle station of the Olang 1+2 lift. The highlight is definitely crossing the Dragon's Head and the Dragon's Tail, where you have a beautiful panorama of the surrounding Dolomites at the same time.

„Bike fun underneath the Passo Furcia/Furkelpass“

This varied circuit leaves no room for monotony: along the Furkel stream, across woods, meadows and fields, on aspahlt as on gravel paths, with both gentle and steep stretches and 2 rest points... What more could bikers ask for?

Leisure point: Hotel Bad Bergfall and Inn Trattes.

From San Martino you continue on the main road to Piccolino (1115 m) and from here to Jù/Giogo (1542 m), where the hut „Col dl'Ancona" is situated. Following the path number 8 and then number 13 you get to Rit (2.027 m). The ascent towards Colz on the path number 13 is very steap. You proceed on the tarred road to Tolpëi and then to Ciablun (1572 m). From here you reach Runch and Ciampëi (1516 m) and ascent to Costa on path number 4A (beware of the creek crossings!). On the tarred road you descend to Preroman and then on the main road to San Martino in Badia

The bike trail of Val Pusteria/Pustertal goes through grasses and fields and crosses in the first part some villages and the little city of Brunico/Bruneck. The good sun exposition makes it practicable also at the beginning of the season, the transport of bikes with the train of Val Pusteria/Pustertal makes independent from the car. The 70 km and the 300 m of altitude difference going out of the valley ask for a basic level of training condition. The trailway offers anyway the advantage of being able to interrupt the trail and cover the remaining part on the train. Also families with kids, in this way, run no risks.

„At the borders of the Natural Park Fanes-Sennes-Braies“

Along the rushing Brunst stream you will enter the valley of the same name and continue on a winding stretch to finally reach your destination: the Alp Brunst where to enjoy a well-deserved pause.

Leisure points: Brunst Alm

 

Short and very varied circular tour near San Vigilio, between the meadows and fields of the many mountain farms and adjoining woods.

 

 

The Kronplatz mountain is especially popular with demanding skiers and snowboarders. While the young practice new tricks in the two snow parks, the brave plunge down the notorious "Silvester" or "Hernegg" black slopes to Riscone/Reischach, where the après-ski bars fill up in the evenings. In the kids’ parks and ski schools, guests learn to parallel turn on the flatter slopes. Thanks to modern lifts, Bruneck’s local mountain with over 100 km of slopes is accessible from three sides. The "Piculin" lift even offers access to the "Sellaronda ski circuit", and the Ski Pustertal Express transports excited skiers to the Three Peaks Dolomites ski resort in Hochpustertal. The Plan de Corones area is an especially spacious, sunny plateau with a 360° panorama of the surrounding mountain landscape. Here, a true architectural highlight awaits discovery: at the Messner Mountain Museum "MMM Corones”, designed by star architect Zaha Hadid, mountaineering legend Reinhold Messner puts guests into dialogue with the world’s north faces, the supreme discipline of mountaineering.

The Panorama Route is located directly on the Pustertal Valley cycle route. The route follows the course of the Rienz river and connects Innichen via Olang with Bruneck and the Eisack Valley.

From San Vigilio, pass through Pieve di Marebbe, follow the scenic road to Sares and San Martino (municipality of San Lorenzo) where, near the gravel quarry, you cross the main road and take the Val Pusteria cycle path, as far as Bistro Lanz in Sciaves. Leave the cycle path, taking the right turn onto the road to Sciaves, pass the old bishopric of Bressanone and arrive to Millan, where four hairpin bends lead you to S. Andrea. Here the tiring ascent begins, through dense conifer woods. Cross over the crossroads with the Funes road and continue as far as Passo delle Erbe. Lastly, return to San Vigilio via Antermoia, San Martin and Longega.

Families in particular will feel at home on the gentle slopes of the Speikboden ski area in the Tauferer Ahrntal valley, where about half of the wide pistes are classified as easy. The Family fun park offers fun for young and old and the snow park gives freestylers the chance to practice their latest tricks. Long carving turns are best enjoyed next to the Sonnklar lift. The ski area’s cable cars will take you up to 2,400 m above sea level, where you can enjoy the scenery of the surrounding three thousand metre peaks either from the viewing tower or on one of the many marked snowshoe hiking trails. An overnight stay in an igloo is one of the romantic highlights of the snow-secure Speikboden ski area. Family fun is not in short supply thanks to the two toboggan runs. At ten and eight km, they are the longest toboggan runs in South Tyrol.

From Valdaora/Olang starts the trail in direction Anterselva/Antholz. Starting from Valdaora/Olang in direction of the Industrial Zone, either starting from Valdaora di Sopra/Oberolang from the road Erschbaum or from Valdaora di Mezzo/Mittelolang, following Via Stazione. From the Industrial Zone you go on for a short but uphill distance on the asphalted road in direction Rasun/Rasen. From here you follow the road until the traffic circle and then you turn first left, cross the bridge and the turn immediatly right on a country road. Follow this road up to Rasun di Sopra/Oberrasen. Once there, turn right before the bridge and follow the bike trail, that mainly follows the stream of Anterselva/Antholz, in direction of the valley. After 4 km of breath-taking landscapes of the Valle di Anterselva/Antholzertal, you get nearer to Anterselva di Sotto/Niederantholz. Beside the cross near the village there is a little lake with the possibility to fish. To go back, just do the same road.

From San Vigilio, first go to La Ila/La Villa where you turn left towards San Cassiano, and start the ascent on a very bendy road to Passo Falzarego. From there, the exhilarating descent takes you quickly down to Cortina. An uphill stretch leads to Passo Tre Croci and the picturesque Lake Misurina, where the descent begins towards Dobbiaco. From Dobbiaco, follow the main road to reach Brunico and San Lorenzo and then follow the old Val Badia road (along the tunnels) to Longega and, a few kilometres further on, San Vigilio.

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 Brunico|Bruneck to Fortezza|Franzensfeste leg is rich in cultural and historical treasures that make the route unique. The settlements, fortresses, and historical monuments from Roman times through the Middle Ages line the bike path along the Rienza|Rienz, offering interesting insights into the history of the valley.

This leg of the Pustertal|Val Pusteria bike route is also hilly, as it forms the connecting point between the Central Val Pusteria and the Isarco|Eisack Valley. From Brunico, it continues 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 petting zoo at Wildberg Manor is a pleasant change of pace for both young and old and not to forget the Castel Sonnenburg. Things continue on quietly through landscapes of forests and meadows toward Casteldarne|Ehrenburg (Castel Ehrenburg) and Chienes|Kiens. Those who enjoy cheese will be in for a treat at the Gatscher farmhouse cheese dairy. The trip then proceeds to S. Sigismondo|St. Sigmund and Vandoies|Vintl. At Lodenwelt, which is located there, the adventure museum devoted to the subject of loden felt can be visited, as can an animal reserve and the fine Capriz cheese dairy. Those who enjoy the finer things in life certainly won’t come up short along this route! After passing Vandoies, the bicycle trail passes by the Rio Molino|Mühlbach Gap, a former valley and road block from the twelfth century, continuing on to Rio Molino. At this point, it is possible to return by train. But for all those who have some energy and motivation left, continuing on to visit the fortress in Fortezza is certainly worthwhile.

Possible variations along the route:

• Val Badia Bike Route from Brunico to San Vigilio or to San Martin – 23 or 24 km (14.5 or 15 miles)
  Getting to know the Ladin culture and language.
• Valli di Tures and Aurina|Tauferer Ahrntal Bike Route from Brunico via Campo Tures|Sand in Taufers to S. Giacomo|St. Jakob – 36 km (22 miles)
  On two wheels through the realm of more than seventy three thousand meter (ten thousand foot) peaks.
• Bike Route Brennero-Bolzano from Fortezza|Franzensfeste toward Brennero|Brenner (45 km/28 miles) or in the direction of Bolzano|Bozen (43 km/27 miles).

This variation of the Pustertal|Val Pusteria bike route starts in Valdaora di Sotto|Niederolang end ends in Valdaora di Sopra|Oberolang.

„Back and forth on the Mitterberg“

Short but not very easy route across the woods in the south of Valdaora/Olang, well-known as a good stretch for training. As both ways are interesting to do, you can find signing in both directions.