Stelvio National Park

Being one of the largest natural sanctuaries of the Alps, the Stelvio National Park (Nationalpark Stilfserjoch) includes typical valleys shaped by ice and water, surrounding the impressive, almost 4,000 metres high Ortles. The landscape of this national park is characterized by icy heights, gushing mountain streams, lush forests and rich Alpine pastures. It was founded already in 1935 and includes the municipalities of Stelvio, Prato allo Stelvio, Glorenza, Tubre, Malles, Lasa, Silandro, Martello, Laces and Ultimo, and therefore the Val Venosta as well as the rear Val d'Ultimo.

The Stelvio National Park is bordered to the north by the Swiss National Park in the Engadine, to the south by the Adamello-Brenta Nature Park in the Trentino and the Adamello Regional Park in Lombardy. To the east, however, it is bounded by the South Tyrolean Gruppo di Tessa Nature Park. Big part of the reserve is located between 2,000 and 3,000 metres a.s.l. The eponymous 2,757 m high Passo dello Stelvio is Italy's highest accessible pass by car and connects the province of Lombardy to South Tyrol. Five visitor centres as well as several nature trails offer information about the species-rich flora and fauna: Among the trails there are the Alpine Pasture Tour Martello, the Plima Gorge Trail, the Archaik Trail and the Gumperle Animal Path.

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Founded in: 1935
Surface: 53,447 hectares
Altitude difference: 3,255 metres
Area: west of South Tyrol, Val Venosta
Visitor centre: five visitor centres in Silandro, Prato allo Stelvio, Martello, Santa Gertrude and Trafoi

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