Plan de Corones (Kronplatz in German) is the mountain that towers over Val Pusteria: a rounded summit at 2,275 metres you can reach by cable car from several sides, from Brunico and Riscone to Valdaora. In winter it's one of the flagship ski areas of South Tyrol, and in summer the top becomes a 360-degree terrace looking out onto the Dolomites and the Alps around them. The lifts mean you can get up there even if you've no intention of hiking.
What really sets it apart, though, are its altitude museums. At the summit stands the Messner Mountain Museum Corones, the last of the six museums Reinhold Messner conceived, opened in 2015 and dedicated to mountaineering. Architect Zaha Hadid designed it, largely dug into the mountain and looking out over the peaks through broad windows. It's the highest museum in South Tyrol. A short way off, LUMEN tells the story of mountain photography. From the summit, plenty of hiking trails also drop back down into the valley if you'd rather walk your own way down.
Frequently asked questions
How do you reach the summit of Plan de Corones?
Cable cars serve the summit from several sides, including Brunico, Riscone and Valdaora, so you can get up there even if you don't hike.
Which museums are on Plan de Corones?
At the summit you find the Messner Mountain Museum Corones, designed by Zaha Hadid and dedicated to mountaineering, and LUMEN, a museum on mountain photography.