Kronplatz: Bike paradise Dolomites

It is quite rare that you can explore a world heritage site also by bike. In the biker region Kronplatz-Tauferer Ahrntal this is no problem. Countless trails, exciting single trails, forest and forest roads lead through the Fanes-Sennes-Prags Nature Park, which was elevated to the status of World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2009 and is thus one of the most beautiful in the world. Every tour is guaranteed to be a unique experience.

by Lisa Riedlsperger

Through shady forests, on sunny alpine pastures, over the mountain paths and passes of the Dolomites or rather whizzing down the freeride trails at Kronplatz? Those who spend their vacation in this South Tyrolean biking region are spoiled for choice. However, it's not quite so bad with the agony, if you stay as a biker in one of the four "Mountain Bike Holidays" hotels such as the Mountain|Style|Spa|Resort Excelsior. Here come the tour tips from Werner Call, hotel manager and bike guide in one person. He is a passionate biker and knows what his guests need. Werner not only helps with tour planning, but also rents out mountain bikes and GPS devices, offers the Excelsior bike shuttle, provides a professional bike check, stores the bikes safely in the bike garage, offers a possibility to have the sweaty bike clothes washed and prefers to go on tour with his guests himself.

This is the pleasure we get today. In bike gear and with plenty of sunscreen on our bare skin, we stand at the agreed meeting point with our water bottles filled to the brim. Together with Werner we want to ride today from the hotel in San Vigilio to the Fanesalm and on to the Limo Pass. The narrow toll road leads us gently uphill for the first 13 kilometers to the Pederü Hut. Ideal for a first, short coffee break. Afterwards we continue on the gravel road and with an amazing view. The turquoise-green Grünsee is a popular photo motif and a snapshot in front of this natural jewel must of course not be missing from our vacation memories. Werner is not only a gifted bike guide who caters to all the wishes of his guests, but also a great photographer. He allows us the short rest to recover, because he knows the route and knows exactly that from here on the path is always steeper and more challenging. The air for talking gradually becomes scarce, until it finally runs out completely. We prefer to concentrate on a steady pedal and listen to the exciting biker stories of Werner, who leads us to the Faneshütte. A well-deserved break! But what a shock when I realize that Werner wants to cycle past it. I veto loudly and we treat ourselves to a cool refreshment before continuing to the Limo-Joch. From there it's over rough gravel to the winter sports town of Cortina d'Ampezzo, where this year the U.S. American Lindsey Vonn managed her 63rd career victory and thus crowned herself the sole record winner. The jagged peaks of the Dolomites glow a brilliant white all around us as we roll down the old WW1 military road in the shade of the trees. Shortly before reaching the Fiames parking lot, we first take asphalt, then a steep gravel path to the Malga Ra Stua hut. In the meantime our bike tour has taken on the character of a hut rally, because this time too we can't resist a stop and park our bikes by the fence while we treat ourselves to a non-alcoholic wheat beer. Finally, we continue to the Senneshütte. It is located at 2,126 meters above sea level, making it the highest hut on our tour. We enjoy the unique panorama. Dolomites, mountains, rocks, peaks wherever we look. Slowly hunger makes itself felt. We look for a shady spot and let it go well. We enjoy the hearty South Tyrolean specialties, especially bacon and alpine cheese - knowing that after that it's all downhill!

On gravel we whiz down to the Pederü Hut, where another treat awaits us, this time of a different kind, namely in the form of a cool forest trail that leads us along the stream over roots and boulders back to San Vigilio. During the drive back to the hotel, my thoughts keep wandering to the beautiful hotel wellness oasis. As it said immediately on the website of the bike and wellness hotel: "In the Castello di Dola-silla, the wellness castle on 5 floors, our guests are wonderfully pampered. A generous wellness offer with 17 bathing, sweating and relaxation attractions are offered in the 1,300 m² SPA Dolomiti." Larch sauna, brine grotto, tepi-darium loungers, relaxing by the pool, Asian Spa or soaking up the sun on the Zen terrace? My tired muscles are looking forward to rest and relaxation of any kind.

Comfortably I relax in the deck chair by the pool, as I listen with one ear to my husband and friends planning the tour. "Tomorrow we go to the Kron-platz... challenging tour... many altitude meters..." Without me. I enjoy the peace and quiet and am already looking forward to getting on the cable car tomorrow together with my bike and conquering the Kronplatz in this way. Thanks to this option, I bypass the long, steep climb completely. Until the others arrive, I will enjoy the spectacular panoramic view in all four directions. The panorama stretches from the Sarntaler over the Zillertaler Alps and the Riesenferner-gruppe to the Sextner Dolomites. With your energies still untapped, you then continue on to the trail with the meaningful name Panoramaweg. Like a roller coaster, the descent winds along the back of Plan de Corones, then dives into rustic, mossy forests. Completely undisturbed, far from civilization, you enjoy the trail that never seems to end. In the direction of Pfaffenberg, you pass the pilgrimage site of Enneberg Pfarre, on the southwest flank of Kronplatz, before finally returning to the hotel.

The Kronplatz-Sextner Dolomites region is a real gem for every biker who attaches great importance to indivi-duality. From the bike trail through the entire Pustertal to tours with several thousand meters of altitude, both connoisseurs and bikers who are into real muscle ache and honest sweating will find the ideal tour. Biking until your legs burn or the day is simply over is no problem in this region with its varied network of tours at different altitudes.