How to get to the summit of Kronplatz-Plan de Corones in South Tyrol?

How to get to the summit of Kronplatz-Plan de Corones in South Tyrol?

Italy, europe

Length

7.6 km

Elevation

2,275 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

# Kronplatz-Plan de Corones: A Mountain Pass Adventure

Nestled in South Tyrol's stunning Pusteria valley, Kronplatz-Plan de Corones sits pretty at 2,275m (7,464ft) and offers one seriously spectacular driving experience. This is the kind of road that'll have you gripping the wheel with a huge grin on your face.

Here's what makes it special: the climb comes in two wildly different flavors. First up is the paved Strada Furcia section—a relatively civilized 7.6km (4.72 miles) that starts off gently before things get spicy. By the end of this asphalt stretch, you're staring down slopes up to 18%, so your brakes better be in top shape.

Then it gets *really* fun. The second half? That's 5.3km (3.29 miles) of pure gravel mayhem. We're talking relentless hairpin turns, brutal grades between 21-24%, and scenery so breathtaking you'll want to pull over just to soak it all in. This isn't your Sunday cruise—it's proper mountain biking territory on four wheels.

If you're thinking about tackling it from St. Vigil in Enneberg, you're looking at a 12.9km (8.01 miles) slog with 1,073 meters of elevation gain. That averages out to 8.3% gradient, which sounds reasonable until you hit those gravel sections and remember what "brutal" really means.

Oh, and the Giro d'Italia has featured this beast, so you know you're dealing with serious mountain pass credentials.

Where is it?

How to get to the summit of Kronplatz-Plan de Corones in South Tyrol? is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 42.3917, 11.4945

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Italy
Continent
europe
Length
7.6 km
Max Elevation
2,275 m
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
42.3917, 11.4945

Related Roads in europe

The narrow D102 is a dangerous balcony roadmoderate

The narrow D102 is a dangerous balcony road

🇫🇷 France

# D102: A Heart-Pounding Alpine Adventure Looking for one of France's most jaw-dropping scenic drives? Welcome to D102, a 10.9km mountain road nestled in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence that'll have your white knuckles gripping the steering wheel in the best way possible. This beauty winds through the Verdon Regional Nature Park, hugging the dramatic canyon carved by the Rayaup river as it snakes between towering peaks and dense forests. Running north-south from Castellane to Le Bourguet, the entire route is paved—small mercy, right? But here's the catch: it's a single-track ribbon carved right into the mountainside with virtually nowhere to pull over if another vehicle comes your way. Caravans and trucks aren't even allowed, which tells you something about the road's temperament. D102 is a proper balcony road—the kind that cuts audaciously into sheer cliff faces, demanding serious respect from anyone behind the wheel. The hairpin turns come fast, the views are absolutely stunning, and the margin for error is, well, nonexistent. Your hands will legitimately sweat. Those summer electrical storms that roll through the valley? Spectacular, but probably something you'll want to avoid. Here's the golden rule: take it slow, stay in your lane, and actually use those parking spots provided along the way. This road isn't trying to kill you, but it'll certainly make your heart skip a beat. It's the kind of drive you'll be talking about for years—assuming you keep your eyes on the road instead of the view (though that's asking a lot).

Col de Pinpinierhard

Col de Pinpinier

🇫🇷 France

Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the South of France, top down, heading for Col de Pinpinier. This hidden gem sits pretty high up in the Alpes-Maritimes, at 1,130m (3,707ft). The drive? Totally worth it. Think winding asphalt, a little on the narrow and steep side, but hey, that's part of the adventure! You'll find it marked as the D10 (Route de St. Auban), linking Roquesteron and La Faye du Mas. From Roquesteron, it's about 23.7 km uphill, climbing a good 811 meters. Don't worry, it's not crazy steep – averages out to around 3.4%. The scenery is knock-your-socks-off gorgeous. Just keep your eyes on the road, and soak it all in!

Where is Col de la Bâthie?hard

Where is Col de la Bâthie?

🇫🇷 France

Okay, adventure junkies, let's talk about Col de la Bâthie! You'll find this beauty tucked away in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France. We're talking serious elevation here, reaching some pretty dizzying heights above sea level! Up top, you're rewarded with the Refuge du Plan du Lac—a mountain hut with views that'll make your jaw drop. Prepare to be wowed! The road itself? Oh, it's a twisty, turny treat, clocking in at totally . Be warned: you'll encounter some seriously narrow bits and super steep climbs along the way, especially on the Route Forestière de la Ravoire. Heads up for winter travelers, though: at high altitude, this road is not maintained, so plan accordingly.

Gorges de la Bourne is a balcony road in Francemoderate

Gorges de la Bourne is a balcony road in France

🇫🇷 France

# Gorges de la Bourne Picture this: a stunning canyon carved into the landscape right where the Isère and Drôme departments meet in southeastern France. Welcome to one of the country's most iconic balcony roads, nestled within the Vercors Regional Nature Park. The history of this route is genuinely wild. From 1861 to 1872, Jean Serratrice and his crew literally hung themselves over the abyss for over a decade, carving this passage through the massive Vercors gorges. Today, maintaining this ribbon of asphalt—D531—is still no joke, battling constant erosion and harsh weather conditions. The fully paved 22.6km (14.04 miles) stretch runs west-east from Pont-en-Royans to Villard-de-Lans, and it's definitely not for the faint of heart. Expect narrow passages, unlit tunnels, and hairpin turns around nearly every corner. Rock slides happen, and they can temporarily shut down sections without warning. Summer crowds can add to the challenge, but that's the price of fame for such a spectacular drive. What makes it worth the adrenaline rush? The Vercors Massif delivers jaw-dropping limestone scenery at every turn. The road hugs the River Bourne through a series of ravines, treating you to some of the most dramatic gorge-side views you'll ever see. Pro tip: make time to visit the Choranche cave nearby—those stalactites are absolutely worth the detour.