Mountain bike holiday in Bruneck - Kronplatz

835 m above the daily grind: Bruneck lies nestled amongst high mountain ranges in the broad valley basin of the green Puster Valley in South Tyrol. To the north, you can see the Austrian Zillertal Alps from here – to the south, the pale mountain peaks of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, the Dolomites. Whichever way you approach the most liveable small town in Italy in the heart of the Puster Valley, the first thing you’ll always see is Bruneck Castle. It sits enthroned on a green hill, drawing visitors’ gaze upwards the moment they arrive. And in doing so, it sets the tone for your cycling holiday in Bruneck, because here you’ll automatically set your sights higher. After all, Kronplatz awaits you here – the region’s unique downhill adventure playground.

On the 2,275-metre-high local mountain, the legendary Messner Mountain Museum Corones, the LUMEN Museum of Mountain Photography and the 360° Dolomites panorama set the right mindset – before you head into the Kronplatz Bike Park. Every day at 12:00 sharp, the Concordia 2000 – the imposing peace bell at Kronplatz – rings out. The soundtrack to the alpine singletrails can be heard all the way down to the valley, where you set off from the medieval town centre, with its urban flair, into the extensive network of mountain bike trails. Vibrant Ladin culture and Alpine-Mediterranean cuisine accompany you along the way – both in the valley and up on the mountain.

Whether into the Ahrntal, along the Pustertal or up to idyllic alpine pastures – the Bruneck region offers a diverse network of routes even beyond the iconic Kronplatz Bike Park with its 18 trails. Thanks to its central location, you can set off on tours in all directions without ever having to ride the same route twice: from gentle cruising along the Puster Valley Cycle Path to challenging mountain tours, Bruneck offers the right terrain for every level. The routes to the alpine lakes are particularly worthwhile, such as Lake Antholz in the Rieserferner-Ahrn Nature Park or the charmingly picturesque Lake Pragser Wildsee.

No mountain bike tour through the mountains around Bruneck would be complete without the culinary highlights. The region uniquely combines down-to-earth Alpine cuisine with Mediterranean lightness – whether it’s hearty dumplings or fresh pasta – every stop here becomes a moment of pure enjoyment. Food lovers and gourmets set off on culinary tours leading to rustic alpine pastures and huts – where regional South Tyrolean specialities are served against a backdrop of stunning views.

• Cycling in all four directions – from the green Puster Valley, through the vast Tauferer Valley and the unspoilt Gader Valley
• Bruneck’s historic old town – medieval charm, an urban way of life and South Tyrolean delights in Italy’s most liveable small town
• Herrnsteig – the trail legend: an unspoilt Alpine classic with challenging variants such as Hans & Franz for experienced cyclists