Nature parks – Todo Südtirol

Three Peaks Nature Park | Pusteria Valley

How to reach the Tre Cime nature Park

Founded in 1981, the Drei Zinnen / Tre Cime Nature Park extends over a 11,891 hectare area comprising the villages of Toblach / Dobbiaco, Sexten / Sesto and Innichen / San Candido. It encompasses the northeastern cornerstone of the Dolomites and is bounded to the north by Pustertal / Pusteria valley, to the east by Sextental / Val di Sesto valley, to the south by the provincial border with Belluno, and to the west by Höhlensteintal / Val di Landro valley.
The Drei Zinnen / Tre Cime Nature Park is notable for its rugged landscape and world renowned peaks and mountains, and above all for the world renowned Drei Zinnen / Tre Cime di Lavaredo mountains, where, beginning in the first half of the 19th century, mountain climbers from far and near achieved pioneering feats of mountain climbing. Today, expert climbers from around the world exhibit their climbing acumen on the vertical rock faces of these mountains.

The park is part of the European-wide Natura 2000 sites, which aim to promote habitat, flora and fauna conservation and were established under the EU’s FFH Directive (92/43/EC) and Bird’s Directive (2009/147/EC). Article 6(1) of the FFH Directive requires EU member states to elaborate conservation measures for Natura 2000 sites, to which end the province of South Tyrol commissioned so called management plans.

Each park has an executive board whose members are representatives of the relevant municipalities, an expert in natural sciences, representatives of nature conservation associations, farmers’ rapresentatives and representatives of the relevant provincial agencies.

Opening hours:
May 2nd to October 31st 2019.
Tuesda to saturday from 9:30 am to 12:30 am and from 2:30pm to 6 pm
July and August also on Sunday the whole day and on Thursday from 6pm to 10 pm

Free entry!

Contact:
Tre Cime Nature Park Dobbiaco
Via Dolomiti 37
39034 Dobbiaco
+39 0474 973017

Monte Corno Nature Park | Bassa Atesina

How to reach the Monte Corno Nature Park

The Monte Corno visitor center is located in the building of the “old mill” in the center of Trodena. Under the theme “Make visible the hidden” it gives information on the biodiversity of the Nature Park Monte Corno. Furthermore, the visitor also gets information about the geological structure, the flora, and fauna of the nature park as well as on the culture and history of the place. The centerpiece of the house is certainly the electricity-powered elevator mill built 1948-49. It’s three stories high and the only one in South Tyrol which works today. The flour, which is being ground in the summer season on the mill grinding days, is used for baking bread.

Please check this website for detailed information on opening hours and prices.

Contact:
Naturparkhaus Trudner Horn
Am Kofl 2
39040 Truden im Naturpark
+390471 869247

Merano 2000 | Merano and surroundings

How to reach Merano 2000

On the sunny mountain plateau of Avelengo/Hafling, Verano/Vöran and Merano 2000, located above the spa town of Merano/meran, hikers can find numerous attractive routes and varied trails. Easy hiking trails lead through larch forests and mountain meadows, past ancient churches and alpine lakes. Many routes are suitable for families with strollers. On the other hand, experienced hikers will find challenging summit tours higher on the Ifinger mountain.

Upon arrival in Merano 2000 the breathtaking view stretches as far as the Ortles mountain range and the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage site. More romantic souls can take an excursion with Haflinger horses from Avelengo and Verano, while others can enjoy mountain biking routes, hiking trails and excursions to mountain peaks.

In summer the Outdoor Kids Camp becomes a playground with a small petting zoo. While kids enjoy the nature and outdoor activities, the parents can have a rest on the terrace of the Panorama Bistro… without losing sight of their children. Adrenaline junkies can get their fix on the Alpin Bob, a 1.1 km rail-guided bobsled run.

Mount Plose | Isarco Valley

How to reach the Plose

On the Plose you can fully enjoy your summer holidays. It does not matter if you stay for a day or a whole week. Plose offers you a whole range of possibilities to spend your holidays in South Tyrol.
Indeed, in summer Plose is the favorite destination for all families looking for adventure and entertainment, for those who love hiking on easy and challenging trails, and for those who want to enjoy a few relaxing hours, or decide to take a trip on a mountain bike. Our guests love the hiking trails, especially WoodyWalk, our family trail full of attractions. They are enthusiastic about the mountaincarts, kind of gocarts that allow you to run downhill for 9 km until you reach the bottom station of the gondola lift again.Last but not least on the Plose a number of caches are hidden for friends of geocaching.
The breathtaking 360 degree view from Plose is also known outside Southtyrol. The view extends from the Stubai Alps to the Dolomites and the Ortles. Many consider it the most beautiful view of the Dolomites, directly on the outskirts of Brixen. Outstanding also the view of the old episcopal city of Brixen in the middle of the Isarco Valley, that borders the High Isarco valley and the High Pusteria Valley.
Brixen Plose – summer and winter a mountain full of entertainments, for a summer holidays on its best.

Stone cairns | Bolzano and surroundings

How to reach the Stone cairns

The cairns are a special place, a real place of energy in Meltina and one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Sarntal Alps: From here you can look over the whole of the Dolomites world up to Marmolada and Monte Ortles.
On your holidays in Meltina you should not miss out on a hike to these over 100 stone cairns. These pillars made from sandstone rocks await you like a troop of soldiers.
Their history and meaning is not clear. Were the cairns once used as signposts? Did herders build them here to while away the time? Do they point to meetings of witches or to some Celtic cult? Rock carvings and flint stone equipment point to the Stone Age and to the Middle Ages. A court document from 1540 confirms this origin, and that some 500 years ago the site was a place of witches dances and satanic ceremonies. Scary stories of how the witches made thunder and lightning and eating children are included! Ancient engravings even point to this viewpoint having been a Celtic worship site many centuries ago.

Seceda | Gardena Valley

How to reach Seceda

The Seceda area is located on the sunny side of Val Gardena, at the foot of the Natural Park Puez –Odle.
From the Seceda summit you can enjoy a wonderful view of the Dolomites and of all the mountains in South Tyrol.
Our area offers a great number of mountain huts and refuges where you can stop, refresh yourself and have a nice time.
Every single hut on Seceda has its very special charm and boasts a really distinctive atmosphere. An original wooden bench, a comfortable deck chair, a sunbathing terrace or a cosy “stube” – Seceda offers something for everyone. Skiers, snowboarders, hikers, paragliders but also families with children … everybody meets on Seceda!

Contact:
Dolomites Val Gardena
+39 0471 777777

Geoparc Bletterbach Gorge | Bassa Atesina

How to reach the Bletterbach gorge

A journey through millions of years…

… is that along your hiking tour through the Bletterbach gorge. This UNESCO World Heritage site provides insight into the inner part of the mountains, into the world of rocks and stones and into the structure of the Dolomites. The gorge is an open book, where scientists, hikers passionate about geology, as well as nature-loving families with children may read about more than 40 million years of geological history.

The Bletterbach gorge is the result of weathering and erosion: since the last ice age 18,000 years ago, constant forces of water, wind and weather have been shaping the gorge wiping away more than ten billion tons of rock material into the Val d’Adige-Etschtal valley. This is how the little and inconspicuous stream has been carving its way on a 8 km (4,9 miles) long and about up to 400 m (1,312 ft) deep stretch into the rocks across different geological areas. Unlike the obscure conditions in other areas of the Alps, rock layers are here intact and visible, exactly as they were deposited millions of years ago. The rock structure provides relevant information about the creation process as well as about climate and weather conditions in our world of about 280-240 million years ago.

Price:

	Adults	Children up to 14 years
Entry	6,00 €	frei
Guided tour	14,00 €	12,00 €
Themed hiking tours	24,00 €	16,00 €

Opening hours:
April 28 – October 31
daily: 9.30am – 6pm

Contact:
GEOPARC Bletterbach gorge
Lerch 40, 39040 Aldino
Tel.: +39 0471-886 946

Parco Naturale Vedrette di Ries | Aurina Valley

How to reach Parco Naturale Vedrette di Ries-Aurina

This nature park – “Naturpark Rieserferner-Ahrn” in German, “Parco Naturale Vedrette di Ries-Aurina” in Italian – has more glaciers than any other nature park in South Tyrol. Together with the protected area Zillertaler Hauptkamm (Zillertal Main Crest, 372 sqkm) the two reserves cover an area of 2,741 sqkm and form thus the biggest nature sanctuary in Europe.

The of 31,320 hectares big area of the nature park includes the municipalities of Campo Tures, Gais, Perca, Rasun-Anterselva, Valle Aurina and Predoi. In the east the nature park is bounded by the Passo Stalle mountain pass and the Austrian border, in the south-east by the Valle di Anterselva valley and in the south by the Val Pusteria valley.

Opening hours:
5 May to 31 October and from 29 December to 31 March
Open from Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 to 12:30 a.m. and from 2:30 to 6:00 p.m.

The facility is also open on Sundays during the months of July and August.

Conatct:
Naturparkhaus Rieserferner – Ahrn
Rathausplatz 9
39032 Campo Tures
+39 0474 677546

Stelvio National Park | Venosta Valley

How to reach the Stelvio National Park

Glaciers and rocks, summits with breathtaking views, with green forests and wild brooks below – this is the Stelvio National Park, one of the largest nature reserves in the entire Alpine area, near the Ortler Cevedale mountain massif.

From the valley bottom at 650 m up to the high Alpine glacier areas, the difference in altitude is over 3,000 meters. The Stelvio National Park is home to all Alpine climate zones. The versatile ecosystem provides a suitable habitat for many rare plants and endangered animal species.

Contact:

Office for the Stelvio National Park
+39 0473 830430

National Park Aquaprad | Venosta Valley

How to reach the National Park aquaprad

The acquaprad National Park Visitors Center is found in Prato allo Stelvio. The modern building hosts an interactive presentation explaining the importance of water in the mountains. Water is indeed a vital element in the life of the Stelvio National Park and is a central theme in the permanent exhibition.

35 local fish species can be seen in twelve spectacular tanks. In an impressive manner, visitors will receive insight into the local fish fauna – from mountain streams to rivers, from high mountain lakes to the floodplain.

Water is the main theme at the visitor center aquaprad. After entering the facility, visitors can hear and see water. 30 local fish species can be seen in twelve spectacular tanks. In an impressive manner, visitors will receive insight into the local fish fauna – from mountain streams to rivers, from high mountain lakes to the floodplain.

Opening hours:
Tuesday – Friday: 9:30 am – 00:30 pm and 2:30 pm – 6 pm
Saturday – Sunday: 2:30 pm – 6 pm
Monday closed

Contact:
National Park aquaprad
Kreuzweg 4 C
39026 Prad am Stilfserjoch
+39 0473 618212