South Tyrol hosts one national park and seven nature parks – and with the Fanes-Sennes-Prags, Puez-Geisler and Rieserferner-Ahrn Nature Parks, no less than 3 of these unique nature reserves surround the Kronplatz! Picture it: crystal-clear mountain lakes, the majestic peaks and rock faces of the Dolomites, fresh green alpine meadows and all around you... nothing but silence! This is where you can appreciate nature and its melodies. Listen to the lively singing of the birds, the gentle sounds of the spring water or get lost in the sounds of roaring waterfalls. Numerous hiking trails take you deeper and deeper into the heart of these diverse nature reserves and invite you to experience their species-rich flora and fauna up close. And if you want to learn more about their wildlife and vegetation, you are welcome to spend some time at the park’s visitor centres.
This is without any doubt one of the most beautiful nature parks within the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage! Fairytale-like, almost unreal. This may be the best way to describe the third largest nature park in South Tyrol. In the heart of the Dolomites of Prags/Braies and the Fanes mountain range, the 26,000-hectare reserve astonishes with towering peaks such as those of the Lavarella-Conturines mountain chain, with the steep rock faces of the mountain called Seekofel or even with alpine pastures and karstic plateaus as well as vast spruce forests. Some of its most beautiful spots are pastures like the Fanes Alm or Plätzwiese/Prato Piazza as well as the famous Toblacher See lake or the renowned emerald-green Pragser Wildsee lake. You may even catch a glimpse of some of its wild locals: indeed the nature park is home to deer, eagles, marmots and rare plant species such as the lady’s slipper orchid. Besides, the visitor centre of St. Vigil in Enneberg/San Vigilio di Marebbe explains more about the origins of the Dolomites and Ladin legends.
This beautiful nature park is also known as the “history book of the earth”. Idyllic blooming meadows, dense coniferous forests, karstic alpine plateaus and rugged mountain backdrops characterise the landscape of the 10,722-hectare nature reserve. Each step takes you deeper into the captivating alpine world of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage, which provides a habitat for eagle owls and chamois as well as plants such as the alpine rose, wild orchid and the gymnadenia nigra. Take a deep breath of fresh mountain air and enjoy the peace and quiet that accompanies you all along your tours. You will always be surrounded by stunning views of the Geisler mountain chain, the mountains called Peitlerkofel, Puezkofel, Sassongher and the Cir peaks. And if you want to learn more about this area, you can stop by the visitor centre of St. Magdalena near Villnöss/Funes, which can tell you more about the 600 million year old history of this impressive world.
With its spectacular 38 three-thousanders, the Rieserferner-Ahrn Nature Park is the most glacier-rich nature reserve in South Tyrol! Alongside imposing peaks such as those called Hochgall or Dreiherrenspitze, the focus is on one thing in particular: water. Besides its remarkable glacier giants, the 31,320-hectare nature park repeatedly offers enchanting encounters with its water worlds: Rushing rivers, roaring waterfalls like the Klammbach waterfall and the third largest natural lake in South Tyrol, the Antholzer See lake. Together with the Austrian Hohe Tauern and Zillertal Alps National Parks, it also forms the largest nature conservancy network in Central Europe. Visit the Riserferner-Ahrn visitor centre to learn more about this mountain landscape and discover its secrets. Did you know that the largest Swiss stone pine tree population of the Eastern Alps is located here? Or that this area is a habitat to animal species such as the mountain hare, rock ptarmigan or rare flowers like the Androsace alpina?
Our nature parks are fragile nature reserves that significantly contribute to the exploration and preservation of our natural and cultural environments. Areas, that are preserved from human interference. Therefore, it is essential to treat nature in a respectful manner throughout all your activities. How? It’s quite simple! When setting out on your tours, make sure to
not light fires
