Kronplatz

2,275 m

Italy

Also known as Plan de Corones, Kronplatz - Plan de Corones

Plan de Corones · Kronplatz - Plan de Corones

Elevation: 2,275 m
Prominence: 486 m
Difficulty: 2/10; Hike
Best Season: Jul–Sep
Routes: 1

Routes

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SACT2HikeNormal route

Sources differ: easy / moderate (leicht, 'mittelschwer' in the text) (Outdooractive / Kronplatz tourism)

The shortest walk to the summit plateau: about 530 m of ascent in 3.2 km on signed path 1 from the Furkelpass (about 1,760 m), a shaded path through larch and spruce, emerging on the treeless dome among the Concordia 2000 peace bell, the Messner Mountain Museum and the lift stations. About 1h45 up, 1h30 down; summer only.

Elevation Profile

approximate line

Distance: 4.4 km; one way
Ascent: +546 m; start → summit
High Point: 2,275 m
Time Up: 2h 28m; DIN 33466
Time Down: 1h 47m; DIN 33466 · same way back

From the car park by the Ruis lift at the Furkelpass (Passo Furcia, about 1,760 m), reached by road from Olang or St. Vigil in Enneberg, follow path 1. After two wide bends the path turns left into the forest and climbs at a steady gradient, mostly in shade, to the open upper slopes and the broad summit dome (2,275 m), about 1h45. The top is a plateau of lift stations, restaurants and buildings: the Concordia 2000 peace bell in its viewing structure, the Zaha Hadid-designed Messner Mountain Museum Corones, the LUMEN mountain photography museum in the old top station, the small St Sebastian chapel and the CAI Kronplatzhütte. The view takes in the Dolomites and the peaks around the Puster and Gader valleys. Descend the same way (about 1h30) or make a loop down the broad north-east ridge on path 3 towards Olang and back to the pass. Gondolas from Reischach (Bruneck), Olang and St. Vigil allow a one-way walk. For a full ascent from the valley, path 6 from the Reischach gondola station climbs about 1,330 m in 4 h through forest and past the Seewiese; the tourism office listed it as closed when checked.

Start

Furkelpass1,766 m

Optional descent or ascent by gondola from the summit to Reischach, Olang or St. Vigil (summer operating dates not verified)
Bus 463 serves the Furkelpass from the Gadertal/St. Vigil side in summer (route per OpenStreetMap; timetable not verified); gondolas from Reischach (bus 420.1 from Bruneck), Olang and St. Vigil reach the summit
Parking at the trailhead

Stages

Day	Stage	km	m ascent	m descent	Time
1	Furkelpass → Kronplatz	4.4	546	42	2h 28m

Waypoints

Parking:
Furkelpass1,766 m
Hut:
Kronplatzhütte2,230 m
Summit:
Kronplatz2,275 m

Key Passages

Forest path above the two bends
Open summit dome

Equipment

0/3 packed

Footwear

Sturdy hiking bootsRequired

Clothing

Rain jacket and warm layerexposed summit plateau; afternoon thunderstormsRecommended

Other

Sun protection and waterRecommended

Downloads

Route confidence 75%

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Overview

Bruneck's house mountain (2,275 m), a broad, treeless dome above the Pustertal crowned by gondola stations, the Concordia 2000 peace bell and Zaha Hadid's Messner Mountain Museum. Reachable by lift from three sides or on foot in about 1h45 from the Furkelpass.

The Kronplatz (Ladin and Italian Plan de Corones) rises south of Bruneck at the edge of the Prags Dolomites, where the municipalities of Bruneck, Enneberg and Olang meet on its summit plateau. Its upper slopes form a smooth, treeless dome, and it is one of South Tyrol's largest ski areas, with gondolas and chairlifts reaching the top from Reischach, Olang, St. Vigil and, since 2011, Percha, which has a railway connection.

The summit is far from wild. Besides the lift stations and restaurants it has the Messner Mountain Museum Corones (designed by Zaha Hadid, opened in 2015 and devoted to climbing), the LUMEN mountain photography museum in the old top station, the Concordia 2000 peace bell, the small St Sebastian chapel, a transmitter and the CAI Kronplatzhütte. What it offers walkers is an easy 2,000 m summit with an all-round view of the Dolomites and the mountains around the Puster and Gader valleys.

The gentlest ascent is the 530 m path from the Furkelpass; a demanding 1,330 m forest path climbs from Reischach. Lifts make one-way walks easy. Expect crowds and lift infrastructure rather than solitude.

Climbing Notes

No technical skills are needed. From the Furkelpass the walk on path 1 takes about 1h45 up and 1h30 down; from Reischach path 6 is a long, steep forest climb of about 1,330 m and 4 hours, best combined with a gondola descent. Wear proper boots, carry a rain jacket and leave the exposed plateau if a thunderstorm builds.

The walking season is roughly June to October, when the paths are clear of snow; the paths are used as ski pistes or are closed in winter. Check lift operating dates if you plan to ride up or down, and expect the summit to be busy in July and August.

History

Tourism began with the Kronplatz-Schutzhaus, built in 1894 at the initiative of Major Mathias Platter of the Bruneck section of the Alpine Club and extended in 1911. Plans for a cable car before the First World War were halted by the war, and attempts in 1938 and the 1950s failed for lack of money; the Kronplatz Seilbahn company was founded in 1960/61 and its first cable car from Reischach opened at Christmas 1963. The Concordia 2000 bell was installed in 2003, the Messner Mountain Museum Corones opened on 24 July 2015 and LUMEN on 20 December 2018. The Giro d'Italia held a mountain time trial from St. Vigil to the summit on 26 May 2008. In the Ladin Fanes legend the mountain is where Princess Dolasilla was crowned.

Season

Best Jul–Sep

January: Not advisable
February: Not advisable
March: Not advisable
April: Not advisable
May: Possible
June: Good
July: Best (best window)
August: Best (best window)
September: Best (best window)
October: Good
November: Not advisable
December: Not advisable

Jan: Ski season; walking paths not maintained
Feb: Ski season
Mar: Ski season
Apr: Snow; lifts between seasons
May: Snow patches on upper slopes; lifts mostly closed
Jun: Summer lifts and paths open
Jul: Busy; afternoon thunderstorms
Aug: Busy; afternoon thunderstorms
Sep: Clear, quieter days
Oct: Lifts may close; first snow possible
Nov: Preparation for the ski season; paths may be closed
Dec: Ski season

Access & Permits

Fees

Gondola fares if using the lifts

Rules

The Furkelpass–Kronplatz path is maintained only in summer

Getting There

Bruneck (Brunico); St. Vigil in Enneberg; Olang

Innsbruck (INN), Bolzano (BZO) or Venice Marco Polo (VCE)

Furkelpass: by road from Olang or St. Vigil in Enneberg; parking at the pass
Reischach: bus 420.1 from the Bruneck Mobility Center to the 'Gondelbahn Kronplatz' stop
Percha: gondola from the Ried area with a direct link to Percha railway station on the Pustertal line
Gondolas also reach the summit from Olang and St. Vigil

Hazards

Weather

Huts & Shelters

KronplatzhütteHut
2,230 m