NATURE PARKS IN SOUTH TYROL

The diversity of our landscapes

South Tyrol is home to a diverse range of natural and cultural landscapes encompassing plants, animals, people and other life forms. In the 1970s, with great foresight, the South Tyrolean government decided to designate the region’s outstanding landscapes as ‘Nature Parks’ and place them under special preservation regulations.

GOALS OF THE NATURE PARKS

PRESERVATION OF THE NATURAL LANDSCAPE

Natural landscapes are valuable, often untouched, ecologically significant habitats for countless flora and fauna. It is our duty as humans to protect and preserve them.

MAINTAINING CULTURAL LANDSCAPES

For centuries, humans have helped shape the landscape and create diverse biotopes. The duty of a Nature Park is to use special measures to continue preserving cultural landscapes such as meadows and pastures.

INFORMATION AND EDUCATION

Nature Parks encourage us to use all our senses to experience and sensitise ourselves to nature. We can learn about the fantastic world of Nature Parks and their cohesive networks at the Visitor Centers and Information Desks within their expanse and through a variety of events.

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

Scientists observe and study the processes and developments in the various biotopes. Their findings influence decisions on how the habitats are laid out and what interventions are undertaken in the natural world.

MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCES

Directing the pace and flow of human interaction with the landscape helps keep the disruption of biotopes and fauna in a Nature Park to the minimum. We must show respect and leave no trace of our presence behind.

SCHLERN-ROSENGARTEN / SCILIAR-CATINACCIO NATURE PARK

ESTABLISHED: 1974 AREA: 7,288 (ha)

ELEVATION RANGE: 2,156 m

REGION: Western South Tyrolean Dolomites.

NATURE PARK COMMUNITIES: Kastelruth / Castelrotto, Völs am Schlern / Fiè allo Sciliar, Tiers am Rosengarten / Tires.

MAP:

of Bozen / Bolzano

Völs am Schlern Fiè allo Sciliar

Kastelruth Castelrotto

Völser Weiher Laghetto di Fiè

Provinz Trient Provincia di Trento

Tiers Tires

Bozen Bolzano

BE ATTENTIVE AND KEEP AN EYE OUT TO DISCOVER:

ANIMALS:

1. Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra),

2. alpine choughs (Pyrrhocorax graculus),

3. apollo butterflies (Parnassius apollo), deer (Capreolus capreolus), golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos).

PLANTS:

4. Tufted horned rampion (Physoplexis comosa), 5. Moretti’s bellflowers (Campanula morettiana), 6. edelweiss (Leontopodium nivale), fire lily (Lilium bulbiferum), chamois cress (Hormathophylla alpina), alpineazalea (Loiseleuria procumbens).

HABITATS:

7. Pine forests, 8. dwarf-shrub heath, 9. coniferous mixed forest, alpine chalky, hay meadows.

ROCKS:

10. Main Dolomite, 11. basalt columns, pillow lava, cipit limestone blocks, 12. fossils of Claraia clarai, remains of dinosaurs, minerals such as analcime and calcites.

LANDSCAPES:

13. Kesselkogel / Catinaccio d’Antermoia (3,004 m); 14. the Schlern / Sciliar with Santner / Punta Santner (2,414 m); the Euringer / Punta Euringer (2,394 m); 15. Völser Weiher / Laghetto di Fiè; Rosengarten / Catinaccio.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NATURE PARK at the Visitor Center in Seis / Siusi at the info points in Steger Säge in Tiers / Tires and Völser Weiher / Laghetto di Fié on the “Geology-Trail” and “Oswald von Wolkenstein Trail”

© Josef Hackhofer © Amt für Natur – Ufficio Natura

© Amt für Natur – Ufficio Natura

© Josef Hackhofer

© Walter Oberlechner

© Tappeiner AG

© Alfred Erardi

© Amt für Natur – Ufficio Natura

© Othmar Seehauser

© Josef Hackhofer

© Amt für Natur – Ufficio Natura

TEXELGRUPPE / GRUPPO DI TESSA NATURE PARK

REGION:

Between the Etsch / Adige valley to the south, Schnals / Senales valley to the west, Passeier / Passirio valley to the east and the main ridge of the Alps to the north.

NATURE PARK COMMUNITIES: Schnals / Senales, Naturns / Naturno, Partschins / Parcines, Algund / Lagundo, Tirol /Tirolo, Riffian / Rifiano, St. Martin in Passeier / S. Martino in Passiria, Moos in Passeier / Moso in Passiria.

MAP:

Moos in Passeier Moso in Passiria

St. Martin in Passeier San Martino in Passiria

Riffian

Naturns Naturno

Schnals Senales

BE ATTENTIVE AND KEEP AN EYE OUT TO DISCOVER:

ANIMALS:

1. European praying mantis (Mantis religiosa), 2. rock partridge (Alectoris graeca), 3. ibex (Capra ibex), 4. bearded vultures (Gypaetus barbatus), green lizards (Lacerta viridis), scarce swallowtails (Iphiclides podalirius), northern wheatears (Monticola saxatilis), arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus).

PLANTS:

5. Arnica (Arnica montana) 6. juniper (Juniperus communis), 7. feather grass (Stipa pennata), 8. alpenrose (Rhododendron ferrugineum),

9. Pulsatilla montana, yellow yarrow (Achillea tomentosa), black vanilla orchids (Nigritella nigra), rockfoil (Saxifraga).

HABITATS:

10. Rowny oak, 11. alpine lawns, larch and spruce forests.

ROCKS:

12. Marble, 13. glacial striation, garnet mica schist and gneiss.

LANDSCAPES:

14. Hohe Weisse / Cima Bianca Grande (3,278 m) and Tschigat / Cima Cigot (2,998 m); 15. Partschins / Parcines waterfall; Finailspitze / Punta di Finale (3,514 m); the Texelspitze / Cima Tessa (3,318 m); and Seeber lake / lago Seeber.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NATURE PARK at the Texelgruppe / Gruppo di Tessa Nature Park Visitor Center in Naturns / Naturno and at the Bunker Mooseum Information Center in Moos in Passeier / Moso in Passiria along the “Pfossental / Val di Fosse” interpretive nature trail

© Tetraon © Daniele Dallabona

© Maurizio Azzolini

© Amt für Natur – Ufficio Natura

© Amt für Geologie und Baustoffprüfung –Ufficio Geologia e prove materiali

© Reinhard Arnold

© Amt für Natur – Ufficio Natura

© Lukas Schaefer

© Hermann Castiglioni

© Claudio Sferra

© Amt für Natur – Ufficio Natura

© Roman Schenk

© Amt für Natur – Ufficio Natura

PUEZ-GEISLER / PUEZ ODLE NATURE

PARK

REGION:

NATURE PARK COMMUNITIES:

MAP:

almost 1,3 times the size of Brixen / Bressanone

Bordered by the Würzjoch/ Passo delle Erbe saddle in the north and the Gröden / Gardena pass in the south. The region extends to the Gader / Badia valley (Kampill / Longiarù, Untermoj / Antermoia) in the east and the Vilnösser / Funes and Gröden / Gardena valleys in the west. It is part of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Villnöss / Funes; St. Ulrich / Urtijëi; St. Christina in Gröden / Santa Cristina in Val Gardena; Wolkenstein in Gröden / Sëlva; Corvara; Abtei / Badia; St. Martin in Thurn / San Martin de Tor.

Villnöß Funes Abtei

Venetien Veneto

BE ATTENTIVE AND KEEP AN EYE OUT TO DISCOVER:

ANIMALS:

1. Foxes (Vulpes vulpes), 2. eagle owls (Bubo bubo), 3. black grouse (Tetrao tetrix), eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), pine jay (Nucifraga caryocatactes), mountain hare (Lepus timidus varronis).

PLANTS:

4. Mountain pine (Pinus cembra), 5. mountain avens (Dryas octopetala),

6. auricula (Primula auricula), mountain pine (Pinus mugo), hairy alpenrose (Rhododendron hirsutum), daphne (Daphne mezereum), wolfsbane (Aconitum napellus), Dolomite yarrow (Achillea oxyloba).

HABITATS:

7. Pine forest, 8. belts of dwarf shrubs, 9. mountain stream, larch meadows and stone pine forests.

ROCKS:

10. Raibl group, Peres layers, Morblac Limestone and Contrin Dolomite, 11. Puez marls, 12. fossils such as Ammonites

LANDSCAPES:

13. Villnösser Geisler / Odle di Funes (3,025 m); 14. Peitlerkofel / Sass de Putia (2,875 m); 15. Viles (hamlets); Aferer Geisler / Odle di Eores (2,653 m); Sassongher / Sassongher (2,665 m); Puez / Puez Occidentale (2,918 m).

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NATURE PARK at the Puez-Geisler / Puez Odle Nature Park Visitor Center in Villnöss / Funes and the Infopoint at the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage in Zans / Zannes along the “Zans / Zannes” interpretive nature trail

© Claudio Sferra © Tetraon

© Amt für Natur – Ufficio Natura

© Helmut Elzenbaumer

© Amt für Natur – Ufficio Natura

© Alfred Erardi

© Pixcube

© Josef Hackhofer

© Amt für Natur – Ufficio Natura

© Josef Hackhofer

© Giovanni Mischi

© Tetraon

REGION:

PARK

Between the Abtei / Badia valley in the west, the Pragser / Braies and Pustertal / Val Pusteria valleys in the north, the Höhlenstein / Landro valley in the east and the Travenanzes / Travenanzes valley in the south.

NATURE PARK COMMUNITIES: Toblach / Dobbiaco, Prags / Braies, Olang / Valdaora, Abtei / Badia, Enneberg / Marebbe, Wengen / La Valle.

MAP:

Höhlensteintal

Prags Braies

Pragser Wildsee Lago di Braies

Toblach Dobbiaco

Olang Valdaora

Provinz

BE ATTENTIVE AND KEEP AN EYE OUT TO DISCOVER:

ANIMALS:

1. Ermine (Mustela erminea),

2. rock ptarmigans (Lagopus muta),

3. pine jay (Nucifraga caryocatactes), marmots (Marmota marmota), alpine salamander (Salamandra atra), white-winged snow finches (Montifringilla nivalis), common European viper (Vipera berus).

PLANTS:

4. Moretti’s bellflowers (Campanula morettiana), 5. lady’s-slipper orchid (Cypripedium calceolus),

6. wood cranesbill (Geranium sylvaticum), Alpine poppies (Papaver rhaeticum), tufted horned rampion (Physoplexis comosa).

HABITATS:

7. Mountain hay meadows, 8. dwarf shrub heaths, 9. alpine lakes, mixed coniferous forests and rocky heathland.

ROCKS:

10. Gully and fissure barrows, 11. Dachstein limestone, 12. Conturines cave, the Cenote cave and Ander dal Bolch, Ammonite limestones with ammonites (fossils).

LANDSCAPES:

13. Heiligkreuzkofel / Le Ciaval / Monte Cavallo (2,908 m); 14. Hohe Gaisl / Croda Rossa (3,146 m); 15. Fanes and Seekofel / Croda del Becco (2,810 m).

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NATURE PARK

At the Fanes-Sennes-Prags / Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park Visitor Center in St. Vigil in Enneberg / S. Vigilio di Marebbe along the interpretive nature trails “Larch walk way” in Abtei / Badia and “Toblacher See / Lago di Dobbiaco” and “Tru dal’ega” in

St. Vigil in Enneberg / S.Vigilio di Marebbe

© Tetraon © Claudio Sferra

© Amt für Natur – Ufficio Natura

© Alfred Erardi

© Amt für Natur – Ufficio Natura

© Alfred Erardi

© Renato Sascor

© Josef Hackhofer

© Amt für Natur – Ufficio Natura

TRUDNER HORN / MONTE CORNO NATURE PARK

REGION:

NATURE PARK COMMUNITIES:

MAP:

around 49 times the area of the Kalterer Lake / Lake Caldaro ESTABLISHED:

(ha)

1,571 m

Bordered to the north by the foothills of the Fleim / Fiemma valley, to the south-east by the Cembra Valley, and to the west by the Etsch /Adige valley (from Neumarkt / Egna to Salurner Klause / Chiusa di Salorno).

Altrei / Anterivo, Montan / Montagna, Neumarkt / Egna, Salurn / Salorno, and Truden im Naturpark / Trodena nel parco naturale.

Montan Montagna

Neumarkt Egna

Salurn Salorno

Truden im Naturpark Trodena nel Parco naturale

Kalterer See Lago di Caldaro

Fleimstal

Cembratal

BE ATTENTIVE AND KEEP AN EYE OUT TO DISCOVER:

ANIMALS:

1. Tawny owl (Strix aluco),

2. hazel dormice (Muscardinus avellanarius), 3. blue emperor (Anax imperator), 4. European rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes nasicornis), wood grouse (Tetrao urogallus), Eurasian sparrowhawks (Accipiter nisus), red deer (Cervus elaphus), praying mantises (Mantis rossa).

PLANTS:

5. Holly (Ilex aquifolium), 6. shadbush (Amelanchier canadensis),

7. bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum),

8. sundews (Drosera), 9. liverleaf (Hepatica nobilis), yews (Taxus baccata), bladder-senna (Colutea arborescens), butterworts (Pinguicula).

HABITATS:

10. Mixed deciduous forest, extensive hedges, ravine forest, 11. forest of pine, forest of fir and spruce, 12. beech forest.

ROCKS:

Dolomite rock and limestone, which lies along the Trudner / Trodeno fault line, next to brownish red quartz-porphyry of Bozen / Bolzano.

LANDSCAPES: Trudner Horn / Monte Corno (1,871 m); 13. Madrutberg / La Madrutta (1,576 m) and the Königswiese / Il Monte Prato del Re (1,625 m); 14. Weißen See / Lago Bianco and Langes Moos / Palù Longa; 15. Haderburg Castle / Castello di Salorno. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NATURE PARK at the Nature Park Visitor Center in Truden / Trodena and the information point at Gfrill / Cauria in Salurn / Salorno along the “Legend Trails” in Truden / Trodena and Altrei /Anterivo

© Tetraon © Reinhard Arnold

© Amt für Natur – Ufficio Natura

© Otmar Seehauser

© Amt für Natur – Ufficio Natura

© Albert Ceolan

© Amt für Natur – Ufficio Natura

© Josef Hackhofer

© Amt für Natur – Ufficio Natura

DREI ZINNEN / TRE CIME NATURE PARK

ESTABLISHED:

REGION:

Between Pustertal / Pusteria valley to the north, Sexten / Sesto valley to the east, the border of Belluno province to the south and the Höhlenstein / Landro valley to the west. The park is part of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site.

NATURE PARK COMMUNITIES: Toblach / Dobbiaco, Sexten / Sesto, Innichen / San Candido.

MAP:

almost 850 times the area of Lake Toblach / Dobbiaco

Österreich I Osttirol Austria I Tirolo Orientale

Provinz Belluno Provincia di Belluno

Höhlensteintal Valle di Landro

Innichen San Candido

Sexten Sesto

Toblach Dobbiaco

BE ATTENTIVE AND KEEP AN EYE OUT TO DISCOVER:

ANIMALS:

1. Wallcreeper (Tichodroma muraria),

2. rock ptarmigans (Lagopus muta),

3. chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), alpine accentor (Prunella collaris), golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), alpine chough (Pyrrhocorax graculus).

PLANTS:

4. Round-leaved pennycress (Thlaspi rotundifolium), 5. Rhaetian Alps poppy (papaver alpinum subsp. rhaeticum), 6. dolomite pink cinquefoil (Potentilla nitida), dwarf alpenrose (Rhodothamnus chamaecistus), buckler sorrel (Rumex scutatus), Einsel’s columbine (Aquilegia einseleana), Swiss Rockjasmine (Androsace helvetica).

HABITATS:

7. Larch meadows, 8. alpine grassland, 9. scree slopes and jagged cliffs.

ROCKS:

10. Schlern dolomite rock, 11. Raibler strata, 12. principal Dolomite rock, Bellerophon and Werfen strata.

LANDSCAPES:

13. Zwölfer / Cima Dodici (3,094 m); 14. the Drei Zinnen / Tre Cime di Lavaredo (2,999 m); 15. Dreischusterspitze / Punta dei Tre Scarperi (3,145 m); and the Paternkofel / Monte Paterno (2,744 m).

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NATURE PARK at the Drei Zinnen / Tre Cime Nature Park Visitor Center in Toblach / Dobbiaco along the “forest experience trail” (Walderlebnisweg) Toblach / Dobbiaco, the nature trail around “Toblacher See / Lago di Dobbiaco” and at Dreizinneblick in Höhlenstein / Landro valley

© Tetraon © Robert Winkler

© Pixcube

© Josef Hackhofer

© Pixcube

© Amt für Natur – Ufficio Natura

© Georg Kantioler

© Hugo Wassermann

© Amt für Natur – Ufficio Natura

© Christian Tschurtschenthaler

© Josef Hackhofer

© Amt für Natur – Ufficio Natura

ESTABLISHED:

PARK

REGION:

NATURE PARK COMMUNITIES:

MAP:

about 728 times the area of Lake Antholz / Anterselva

To the northwest along the Tauferer Ahrntal / Aurina valley, in the east to Staller Sattel / Passo Stalle bordering Austria’s Hohe Tauern National Park, in the southeast, it borders the Antholzer / Anterselva valley, and in the south, the Pustertal / Pusteria valley. It is part of the largest European nature reserve alliance and home to 38 peaks over 3,000 m., with the largest number of glaciers.

Sand in Taufers / Campo Tures, Gais, Percha / Perca, Rasen-Antholz / Rasun-Anterselva, Ahrntal / Aurina valley, Prettau / Predoi.

Prettau

Ahrntal

RIESERFERNER-AHRN / VEDRETTE DI RIES-AURINA

NATURE PARK

BE ATTENTIVE AND KEEP AN EYE OUT TO DISCOVER:

ANIMALS:

1. Eurasian capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus),

2. roe deer (Capreolus capreolus),

3. red crossbill (Loxia curvirostra), alpine marmots (Marmota marmota), golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), alpine chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), black grouse (Lyrurus tetrix), spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major).

PLANTS:

4. Rusty-leaved alpenrose (Rhododendron ferrugineum),

5. alpine avens (Geum montanum),

6. alpine clover (Trifolium alpinum), arnica (Arnica montana), bearded bellflower (Campanula barbata), glacier buttercup (Ranunculus glacialis), cottongrass (Eriophorum), alpine toadflax (Linaria alpina).

HABITATS:

7. Mix coniferous forest, 8. dwarf shrub heather, 9. stone pine forest and Alpine meadows and grassland.

ROCKS:

10. Plutonic rock tonalite of Rieserferner / Vedrette di Ries, 11. moraine, 12. earth pyramids, rock crystal (quartz).

LANDSCAPES:

13. Hochgall / Collalto (3,436 m); 14. Dreiherrenspitze / Picco dei Tre Signori (3,499 m); 15. Antholzer See / Anterselva lake, Schneebiger Nock / Monte Nevoso (3,358 m); Wildgall / Collaspro (3,273 m); Grosse Windschar / Cima del Vento (3,041 m); Waterfalls at Rein / Riva.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NATURE PARK at the Rieserferner-Ahrn / Vedrette di Ries-Aurina Nature Park Visitor Center in Taufers / Campo Tures and the Kasern / Casere Information Center in Prettau / Predoi on the “Antholzer See / Lago d’Anterselva” and “Mühlbacher Talele / Valle di Rio Molino” interpretive nature trails

OF WATER AND LIGHT

The Texelgruppe / Gruppo di Tessa Nature Park is the largest park in South Tyrol. It unites two opposing elements: water and light. This accounts for the diversity of plant and animal life.

The climate in the Pfelders / Plan and Passeier / Passirio valleys is rainy and cool. One feature of the region is its many Alpine streams and lakes. The Spronser Lakes, the largest group of high-elevation lakes in South Tyrol, is located along the trail from Pfelders / Plan to Tirol /Tirolo.

In the steep terrain of the Texel Gruppe / Gruppo di Tessa, streams often become spectacular waterfalls. Partschins / Parcines waterfall is one of the most impressive in South Tyrol. When the snow melts in the spring, the Zielbach rivulet carries torrents of water that shoot out for meters beyond the cliff face and plunge 97 meters into the deep, becoming a roaring waterfall.

Characteristic of the Nature Park’s cultural landscape are the irrigation channels called “Waals,” a sophisticated watering system improved upon over centuries. They channel water from the natural landscape to the cultural landscape.

In contrast, in the Vinschgau / Val Venosta and Schnalstal / Val Senales area of the Nature Park, the climate is dry and warm. That’s why the Sonnenberg / Monte Sole mountain is home to an incredible number of insect species. Larch forests are undemanding and able to grow on the steep, sunny and often rocky inclines.

The Schnals / Senales valley is known as “South Tyrol’s Larch Valley.” These forests offer protection from mudslides and avalanches and help to contain water.

EXPERIENCE AND PROTECT THE PAST IN THE PRESENT

From time immemorial, the imposing rock formations of the Schlern / Sciliar plateau have been ascribed with a mystical power. Long before the emergence of Christianity, bonfires burned on the Schlern / Sciliar as humans lit devotional fires to the Gods above. In the late Middle Ages, more than 500 years ago, that ritual site was the centre of minnesinger Oswald von Wolkenstein’s life. He lived at the fortress of Hauenstein / Castelvecchio at the foot of Santner Peak / Punta Santner, where he composed his secular love poems, clerical poetry and autobiographical songs. With its breathtaking natural scenery, special geological formations, and the many myths that swirl around it, the area around the Schlern / Sciliar and the Rosengarten / Catinaccio have always held great fascination for mountaineers, natural scientists and folklorists. The genesis of the Dolomites and their particular rock formations is clearly visible in the Schlern / Sciliar region. Sedimentary rocks such as the Gröden Sandstones and the Werfen Stratas are evidence of great rivers and deep-sea basins. Fossilised coral and countless fossils of marine microorganisms confirm tropical lagoons, while pillow lava, basalt columns and a wide diversity of minerals are proof of volcanic activity.

EARTH’S HISTORY BOOK

Karstic plateaus, majestic cliffs, gently rolling mountain pastures abutting bizarre, jagged mountain silhouettes, deep valleys and shady conifer forests make up the Puez-Geisler / Puez- Odle Nature Park. Geologically, this Nature Park is a world of wonders that tells the story of the genesis of the Dolomites. Around 250 million years ago, the sinking land was flooded by the tropical protoMediterranean. The shells of tiny corals and mollusks, as well as sand, clay, and lava were deposited hundreds of meters thick at the bottom of the sea. Even today, the bizarre craggy towers of the Dolomite cliffs are reminiscent of those primordial coral reefs. These rocks, which are often rich in fossils - petrified plants and animals - are the foundation of the Dolomites.

Around a 100 million years ago, the African continental plate began its journey northwards, pushing mightily against Eurasia as it drifted. The creation of the Alpine mountains began. In the course of the Alpine folding, the sediment that lay at the bottom of the sea rose up to become imposing mountains. While elsewhere, these forceful shifts and folding have made it difficult and confusing for lay people to see the age structure of the rock, in the Dolomites, the chronological order of the deposits are usually clearly identifiable.

IN THE REALM OF ANIMALS

At the sight of the craggy peaks and rock walls, visitors often feel like they are facing almost impassible mountains. But, in fact, the typical Dolomite landscape of the Fanes-Sennes-Prags / Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park holds many and diverse habitats. Mixed coniferous forests, extensive plateaus and mountain meadows can all be found here. Almost impassible cirques, steep cliffs and clear lakes and streams are also characteristic of the region. And, although droves of people flock to the Nature Park each year, there are still large, almost untouched areas that are home to the animals typical of the Dolomites. The sprawling mixed coniferous forests with their glades and larch meadows at the foot of the dolomite rocks provide the ideal habitat for wood grouse. Grouse hate loud noises and are particularly happy in secluded forests with a lot of undergrowth. The coniferous forests from 1,000 meters to the tree line are the hunting and breeding ground of the Eurasian pygmy owl, the smallest native owl species. Unlike other owls, the pygmy owl is not entirely nocturnal, but also active in the evening and during the day.

A little further up in the snowfields of the cliff and peak region, you can sometimes catch sight of a white-winged snow finch on the lookout for insects that the wind has driven here from down below. Of all the songbirds, the snow finch adapted best to the extreme conditions of the high peaks.

A VISIBLE AND HIDDEN TIME

The Trudner Horn / Monte Corno Nature Park is the quintessential South Tyrolean forest park. Almost 90 per cent of the entire region is made up of various forest communities. A fascinating world is concealed beneath the forest floor. The forest ecosystem does not consist of trees alone, mushrooms and other fungi, too, play an important role. Dead wood decomposes to become humus. This soil is the “fuel” that delivers energy to a whole chain of plants and animals.

Trudner Horn / Monte Corno Nature Park is probably the most biodiverse park in South Tyrol. Elevation, climate, water, soil, exposure to sunlight and humidity together determine where the various species of flora and fauna reside. The park boasts a broad palette of plants, from sub-Alpine spruce forests to heat-loving sub-Mediterranean shrubland.

Calcium-rich soil is the preferred home of dry grasslands, shrubland, spruce pine forests and mixed woodlands. The porphyry ridges, on the other hand, are covered in dense coniferous forests, marshes, and moorlands, because of the abundance of water running through them. And, along the shady, humid gorges formed by streams, beech, smallleaved linden, maple, ash and yew trees come together to form typical almost primeval ravine forests.

THE LONELINESS OF LUMINARIES

The peaks and cliffs of the Sexten Dolomites have held a magical attraction for mountain lovers since as far back as the nineteenth century. The English were the first to discover the Dolomites as an Alpine no-man’s land. For the inhabitants of the Dolomite mountains, climbing the peaks was wanton tomfoolery. Animal herders went as high as the grass grew. Daring chamois hunters climbed as high as their prey. In myths, legends and folkways, the mountains were the home of demons and gods, giants and dwarves. But it was Austrian and German alpinists who first ascended the summits of Drei Zinnen / Tre Cime, Zwölfer / Cima Dodici and Paternkofel / Monte Paterno. The first mountain guides were recruited from among hunters with knowledge of the peaks. Mountain huts, which were initially modest, to say the least, soon made the climbs more accessible, attracting more hikers. In 1878, the Grand Hotel opened in Toblach / Dobbiaco - an early sign of the rise of tourism. Today, the building houses a cultural center that includes a renowned concert auditorium as well as the Drei Zinnen / Tre Cime Nature Park Visitor Center.

In May 1915, the peaceful conquest of the mountains came to a sudden end. During the First World War, fierce Alpine battles raged between the Italian and Austrian armies at the Kreuzbergpass / Passo di Monte Croce, the Sextner Rotwand / Croda Rossa di Sesto, on the plateau between the pinnacles of the Drei Zinnen / Tre Cime and on Monte Piano. Ten thousand soldiers had to endure two winters in this desert of ice. To this day, the earth of the plateau holds rusting shrapnel and the Sexten stone is riddled like Swiss cheese. The Alpinisteig / ferrata degli Alpini in Sexten / Sesto is marked with reminders of these events.

THE BOUNDARIES OF NATURE AND THE LIMITS OF MAN

Indigenous animals still have the Rieserferner-Ahrn / Vedrette di Ries-Aurina Nature Park largely to themselves. Given cross-border natural preservation concepts, even political borders are increasingly meaningless. Along with the adjacent Hohe Tauern National Park, the high-altitude Zillertal Alps Nature Park, the Vals Valley Nature Reserve, and the Inner Pfitsch Landscape Protection Area, this Nature Park, with its 2,733 sq. km, is part of the largest alliance of nature reserves in the Alps. That area makes up one-third of the South Tyrol’s total area. Cross-border initiatives in the protected areas promote a collective sense of responsibility for the natural and cultural heritage. Because, as we know, loss of habitat, extinction of species, and climate change take no notice of man-made borders. Plants and animals sometimes survive under incredible conditions.

The smallest tree in the world, the dwarf willow (Salix herbacea), was a pioneer in populating the long snow-covered hollows of the high mountains.

The rock ptarmigan lives above the tree line. They often dig up to 50 cm into the powder snow for a place to spend the night. Their special feathering means they can survive temperatures as low as -50° C.

Conditions for the numerous small Alpine meadows near the Nature Park’s tree line are also not always easy. These meadows guarantee the preservation of the cultural landscape in harmony with nature.

“KING OF THE MOUNTAINS, I LOVE THE SCREE SLOPES.”

The Texelgruppe / Gruppo di Tessa Nature Park

from the point of view of an ibex

Human beings like to call me “king of the mountains” or “ridge walker,” because I love life at the peaks. I’m particularly proud of my imposing build and my curved horns.

In late June, from my high vantage point in the mountaintops between ridges and cliffs, I watch a never-ending train of over 1,000 sheep traipsing through the snowy fields, over the firn on the Gurgler Eisjoch glacier (3,152 m), moving from Schnals / Senales to their summer pastures in the Ötztal mountains.

In the summer months, I watch countless hikers who make pilgrimages through my territory on well-marked trails.

Like them, I, too, enjoy the brilliant colours of the plants in this Alpine landscape. The yellow of the creeping avens is so beautiful, and the violet of the rockfoil. My nose knows well how the deep purple black vanilla orchids got their name. Only the glacier buttercup and some mosses and lichens, probably the Nature Park’s oldest inhabitants, follow me up to the summits.

Luckily, people no longer think that I am a supernatural creature with extraordinary healing powers. That was almost my downfall because I was hunted ruthlessly. That’s why my brothers and sisters disappeared from the Eastern Alps from the eighteenth century on. But just think! A few of us survived in Gran Paradiso National Park! Today, once again, a whole herd of us inhabit the steep grassy slopes, ridges and rocky cirques.

“THE PEAKS AND CRAGS OF THE SCHLERN / SCILIAR AND THE ROSENGARTEN / CATINACCIO ARE MY HOME.”

The Schlern-Rosengarten / Sciliar-Catinaccio

Nature Park from the point of view of a chamois

As a chamois, I love climbing among the bleached cliffs, peaks and crags of the Schlern / Sciliar and the Rosengarten / Catinaccio. It’s not only my climbing playground but also my home. As a kid, I moved in the herd with the mother animals, the she-goats. We felt safe together. When I grow up to be as big as the other bucks, I will spend most of my time alone amid the mountain landscape. On the Schlern / Sciliar plateau, from where I see the wild ravines and gorges of the Rosengarten / Catinaccio, I am in my element. As soon as I sense danger, I let out a long whistle. Among the crevices and niches, I find plenty of chamois cress and alpine azalea to satiate my frugal food needs. Sometimes, I see birds’ breeding areas. You might ask which birds build their nests so high up in the mountains. Perhaps it is an alpine accentor with its high-contrast feathering. Or maybe it is an alpine chough with its bright orange legs, short yellow beak, glossy black coat and breathtaking flight feathers. At lower elevations, I often encounter Völser / Fié cows in the spring. Herders drive them along the “cudgel path” that goes through the Schlern / Sciliar gorge to pasture. During the day, hikers and their four-legged companions can also be seen around here. With all those cars arriving and leaving, it can get quite loud. So, how do you find me? On the prominent rock towers, the Santner / Punta Santner and the Euringer / Punta Euringer, and in the rustic Tschamin / Ciamin valley. I especially enjoy climbing there.

“AS A FOSSIL, I AM A WITNESS TO THE PAST."

The Puez-Geisler / Puez Odle Nature Park

from the point of view of a fossil

Once, over 200 million years ago, I was a snail crawling past coral and algae in the ocean. You humans call me Bellerophon. My smooth round house is always with me. Now I’m a fossil, and, as a stone, I can only silently observe the goings-on around me.

The people who live on the outskirts of my Nature Park speak a very old Rhaeto-Romanic language. It stems from the times of the Roman Empire and is called Ladin. There are very few people left who speak this language, but it has survived, together with the Ladin culture. In the past they used to clear the mountain pastures, moving the border of the forest hundreds of meters further into the valley. Today, I still see signs that human beings want to dominate the world of the mountains. Even though we all share the same habitat! I’m not saying people are all bad. They have their good sides as well. For example, in the mid-1970s, they gathered 5,000 signatures and organised protests across the country to stop a huge ski project in the Villnöss / Funes valley. The “Action Committee to Save the Geisler Group / Gruppo delle Odle” was the first South Tyrolean citizens’ initiative centered around nature conservation. It was the spark that led to today’s Nature Park. What will it look like here a few million years from now? Who will join the family of fossils? Rocklike, I wait.

“AS THE MASCOT OF THE NATURE PARK, I PROTECT ITS INHABITANTS.”

The Fanes-Sennes-Prags / Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park from the point of view of a marmot

Did you hear my prolonged whistle? Help! An eagle is approaching! Today I have guard duty at the entrance to our den. My whistle warns the whole extended family. Everyone has to quickly get back to their dens to avoid an aerial attack. Of course, I’m proud to be the symbol of the Fanes-Sennes-Prags Nature Park. As the largest alpine rodent, my favorite place is the stony heath above the shrub line. Do you know the Ladin epic about the Fanes people? The Fanes once lived on the high plateaus of the mountains. Believe it or not, humans were so fascinated by the way I live, they even gave me a starring role in this legend. But read it for yourself. The Kingdom of Fanes had an alliance with us marmots. With our help, they thrived on the plateaus. Until the new king became greedy and turned his back on our alliance, choosing the eagle as his new emblem. The price he paid was the downfall and destruction of the kingdom. But our time will come again, the epic prophesies. Once again, we will gather our marmot friends on the limestone steps of our “parliament.” And we will build a new alliance with all people who are ready to live in harmony with nature.

“MY

LIFE IN SYMBIOSIS

WITH THE TREES.”

The Trudner Horn / Monte Corno Nature Park from the point of view of a fungus

My favorite habitat is a sprawling forest. That’s where I feel most at home, like I’m part of a whole. I like the damp forest floor best of all. Above ground, you might recognise me as an edible or poisonous mushroom. Underground, I am present as a mycorrhizal fungus, closely associated with the roots of the trees. You could say we have a life partnership. Our relationship is based on mutual aid: I help the trees take in nutrients and water; in return, the trees give me sugar that I can’t produce for myself. Maybe you already knew this, but I am neither plant nor animal, neither male nor female. I’m a hybrid creature. I’m not alone here, of course. Other lesser-known forest inhabitants also like to spend their time in this large, undisturbed area. I rarely catch a glimpse of the tawny owl. He hides himself too well during the day in the dense coniferous forest. Only at night does he venture out to hunt silently.

What do I like so much about the Trudner Horn / Monte Corno Nature Park? Here, you can still find remote landscapes that have been spared by commercial development and mass tourism.

I know from hearsay that there are also large upland moors above Altrei / Anterivo, such as Langes Moos / Palù Longa. Moors develop when water accumulates in underground layers of soil.

Of course, I don’t only exist in the forest. Even your bodies can provide a good host for fungi. I’ll tell you about that another time.

“AS

A SCREE-CREEPER, I CLING FAST TO THE SLOPES.”

The Drei Zinnen / Tre Cime Nature Park

from the point of view of a Rhaetian Alps poppy

Can you see me shining yellow amidst the scree? Yes, I’m modest, and I don’t get any larger than 20 centimeters. Like you humans, I have hair on my body, on my stalk, to be exact.

Whenever I see a wallcreeper, I think a jewel is flying past me. With his crimson and black-and-white “butterfly wings”, he flutters into the rock crevices, looking for insects and spiders. Thanks to his strong legs, splayed feet and extra long claws, he can even climb up vertical slopes. His long, curved beak fits into the smallest of fissures. I also cling to the rockface with my strong roots. My long and flexible taproot helps me to move along with the scree, which is always slipping beneath my feet. That’s why people sometimes call me a scree-creeper. This special ability means that I am largely safe from competition from other plants. My neighbors on the slopes are the pretty Dolomite flowers that hold fast to chinks and crags and root into the smallest ledges. This exceptional achievement keeps us pretty much safe from both predators and from other competing plants. Swiss Rockjasmine is a distant relative of mine, and a pretty interesting character. His flowers form dense round cushions. This decreases the danger of him drying out on the inside. He draws from the warmth of the soil while keeping it moist. His old leaves decay and become humus inside his protected “courtyard.” That way, he loses almost no nutrients. Maybe my neighbour could become a role model for us plants and people? When I look up at the mountains surrounding me, I feel extremely small. Did you know that you can use them to measure time?

The legendary Sexten sundial, with peaks at nine, ten, eleven, twelve, and one, reaches three thousand meters into the sky. That must be Earth’s most gargantuan timepieceand I have the honor of shining yellow on its face.

“I ADORE CIRCLING THROUGH THE SKIES ON THE AIR CURRENTS.”

The Rieserferner-Ahrn / Vedrette di Ries-Aurina

Nature Park from the point of view of a golden eagle

I am the king of the skies! My territory is gigantic (80-200 sq. km). The borders that you humans have established in the course of history are irrelevant to me. My ancestors lived not just in the mountains - once we were native down on the flatlands as well. Humans hunted us and we retreated to the remote Alpine regions. These days, we golden eagles are no longer in danger in the South Tyrol, since we are fully protected. How I adore circling through the skies, whether alone or with my mate! When I spread my wings, I can float on the currents. My hunting grounds are the open and half-open Alpine meadows and the dwarf shrub heathland. It’s easier for me to fly downhill with my prey. That’s why I usually build my nest lower down, in the rock faces below the tree line. When I spy prey, nothing can hold me back. Flying low, close to the ground, or with a swift dive, I snap up my meal. But don’t think food is not important to me. I’m a gourmet. My diet varies according to region and season. Marmots are my favorite treat, but, in a pinch, I’ll devour carrion. Even as king, you can’t be too picky.

NATURA 2000

Natura 2000 is a European Commission project committing all EU member states to work for the protection of our natural and near-natural biotopes, including the wild flora and fauna they contain. The Natura 2000 network thus contributes to preserving biodiversity across country borders.

The Natura 2000 areas that have been identified by the EU member states contain a variety of biotopes such as bodies of water, wetlands, fields and meadows, as well as forests, rocks, and caves. Of the biotopes that enjoy particular protection across Europe, South Tyrol boasts moors, alluvial forests, grasslands and species-rich Nardus grasslands. An important component of Natura 2000 is the protection of endangered flora and fauna across Europe, which applies not just to the Natura 2000 areas, but everywhere. Just like for the biotopes, these species need special protection measures in order to ensure their long-term conservation. Requirements in this respect can be found in the fauna and flora habitat directive (92/43/EEC) and the birds directive (2009/147/EC).

THE DOLOMITES UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE

UNESCO stands for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. One of its mandates is the protection and preservation of the world’s “natural and cultural heritage.”

The provinces and regions that are part of the site founded the UNESCO Dolomites Foundation in 2010. It is the technical and political platform for the site’s areas.

The South Tyrolean government is responsible for administering its portion of the world heritage site. That is coordinated by the department of nature, landscape and regional development.

Being included in the World Heritage list is more than just a great honour, it also means that South Tyrol has taken on the responsibility vis-à-vis the international community, of protecting, preserving and enhancing the Dolomites.

In 1972, UNESCO adopted the “Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage”

On June 26, 2009, the Dolomites were inscribed as a World Heritage site due to their uniqueness and the integrity of their scenic beauty, as well as their geological and geomorphological significance

Nine component parts, which are not connected geographically, but which represent an integrated whole, according to the organisation’s criteria, were inscribed into the list as a “serial world heritage” property

The UNESCO Dolomite site comprises parts of the autonomous provinces of Bozen / Bolzano and Trient / Trentino, and the provinces of Belluno (Veneto), Udine and Pordenone (in the autonomous region of Friuli Venezia Giulia). It has a total area of around 230,000 ha (core and buffer areas)

In South Tyrol, it includes the Drei Zinnen / Tre Cime, Fanes-Sennes-Prags / Fanes-Senes-Braies, Puez-Geisler / Puez-Odle and Schlern-Rosengarten / Sciliar-Catinaccio Nature Parks, as well as the Latemar massif and the Geological natural monument Bletterbach Gorge in Aldein / Aldino

As of 2023, Italy has 58 UNESCO World Heritage sites; 53 of which are cultural heritage and five are natural heritage sites

BIOTOPE

A biotope, a “habitat”, is an area characterized by a variety of factors such as climate, soil and use, among others. It is an area of uniform environmental conditions providing a living place for a specific assemblage of plants and animals. As rare and endangered habitats for certain communities, which have mostly survived on sites less favourable for cultivation, they are deserving of protection and hold a special interest.

HABITATS IN SOUTH TYROL’S BIOTOPES:

PONDS, POOLS, LAKES

Many species share the habitats between water and land, including colourful butterflies, amphibians, and sedges, reeds, and water plants.

MOORS

Created where water is in abundance, moors grow over thousands of years. A lack of oxygen ensures that organic material does not decompose, turning into peat instead (at the rate of one mm. per year).

REEDS AND HAYFIELDS

The accretion zones of lakes and ponds are home to a variety of marsh and water birds, as well as ground-breeding birds. Hayfields must be mowed regularly to conserve them.

ALLUVIAL FORESTS

Numerous plants and animals live here, between the alders and the meadows. Remnants of alluvial forests can still be found today in the Upper Vinschgau / Venosta and the Tauferer Ahrn / Tures and Aurina valleys.

GRAVEL AND MUD BANKS

Little ringed plover and sandpiper lay their eggs among the gravel. During migratory periods, rare wading birds such as the lapwing and other water birds can be seen along the banks of the watering places.

GRASSLANDS

Once, particularly in the Vinschgau / Val di Venosta, hillsides were cleared to create pasturage for sheep and goats. This advanced desertification, but also created habitats for butterflies, grasshoppers, wild bees, reptiles and other species that like warmth.

NATURAL MONUMENTS

Natural monuments are objects, places, and formations that are very rare or of a unique character and shape our landscape. There are more than 1,000 protected natural monuments of different kinds in South Tyrol.

BOTANICAL NATURAL MONUMENTS

Near Fennhals in Kurtatsch / Cortaccia, a stand of giant sequoia trees planted more than 100 years ago rises 40 meters into the air. And in the Ultental / Val d’Ultimo area near St. Gertraud / Santa Gertrude, you will even find trees that are a 1,000 years old - the famed ancient larch trees. And what is likely Europe’s oldest grapevine has its roots in Prissian / Prissiano. It is estimated to be 350 years old.

GEOLOGICAL NATURAL MONUMENTS

The Bletterbach Gorge in Aldein / Aldino provides a look at millions of years of Earth’s history. The Earth Pyramids on the Ritten / Renon are the tallest of their type in Europe. The Witches’ Chairs above Tiosels close to Kastelruth / Castelrotto are curious limestone formations in the shape of chairs that can each hold two people. In St. Felix / San Felice at Deutschnonsberg / Alta Val di Non, visitors are impressed by unique gorges, caves and sinkholes.

HYDROLOGICAL NATURAL MONUMENTS

The Gilfenklamm / Stanghe Gorge in Ratschings / Racines presents a unique spectacle of the power of water and grottos. The imposing Reinbach / Riva waterfalls in the Tobl Gorge near Sand in Taufers / Campo Tures are perhaps the most famous in South Tyrol. And the Matscher / Mazia Valley in Mals / Malles Venosta is home to the highest lakes in South Tyrol – the Saldur / Saldura lakes that lie at an elevation of 2,700 m.