Ancient Larch Trees in the Val d’Ultimo

At the lahnersäge National Park House in Santa Gertrude in the rear Val d'Ultimo, one of the five visitor centres of the Stelvio National Park, you can follow the signpost "Urlärchen" and reach three well-known conifers after about 30 minutes walk. These are three European Larches, which are located at 1,425 m a.s.l. and are greening every year anew. When in the Thirties the fourth larch fell, it was examined and the age was estimated at more than 2,000 years due to its annual rings.

Also before, the larches were important in the valley, because they were resource for the typical roofing shingles in the area. Since the valuation the larches became very famous. In 1979 they were protected and stabilised. Today, the ancient larch trees are a popular excursion destination and a Natural World Heritage site. In 2004, the trees were newly valued, different methods of measurement were used: On the basis of these new findings, they are about 850 years old.

The tallest of the three Ancient Larch Trees in the Val d'Ultimo (Ultner Urlärchen) is 36.5 metres high and has a withered tree top, a consequence of a thunderbolt. One of the two other ones is about as high and with a perimeter of 8.34 metres the thickest one. The third larch has a hole in its trunk and burst long time ago at 6 metres height - an important shelter for animals as bats and marten. If you follow a part of the Ultimo Farm Trail starting from the larches, you reach the Ultimo Valley Museum in the neighbouring village - the trail can also be done as winter hike.