Smell & feel the nature
The Stelvio National Park is one of the largest and most interesting
national parks in Europe. Situated in the heart of the Central Alps, it
covers an area of approximately 135,000 ha.
It includes the entire mountain region of Ortler-Cevedale and its adjoining valleys, extending in the north as far as the Swiss Engadine National Park and in the south as far as the Adamello Regional Park in Lombardy. In 1935, this area was declared to be a national park with the aim of preserving the region’s scenery, flora and fauna. From the glacier capped mountain (the Ortler - 3905 m) across pasture land and sloping terraces right down to the floors of the valley (Latsch - 650 m), the Stelvio National Park displays the entire gamut of Alpine features.
The most beautiful aspects of the National Park are not only found naturally. They are also displayed at 3 visitors’ centres in Trafoi "naturatrafoi" (Life on the Border), Prad "aquaprad" (Life in the Water) and in Martell "culturamartell" (Rural Culture).
Trafoi:
The visitors’ centre "naturatrafoi" lies in the centre of the Stelvio National Park, in Trafoi, directly on the Stelvio Pass Road. The exhibition in this centre focuses on "Life on the Border" and offers fascinating insights into the geology of the Ortler mountain range and into the survival of flora and fauna under the extreme climactic conditions of the mountain countryside. Details of opening times and other information can be found at www.naturatrafoi.com.
Prad:
The National Park centre "aquaprad“ (14 different aquaria with indigenous fishes) is located in Prad on the Stelvio Pass. The visitor centre with its main theme of water was opened in 2003, the International Year of Water. The centre contains a wealth of graphic insights into Life in the Water. The visitor is immersed in the nearby yet unfamilar world of indigenous fishes. Details of opening times and other information can be found at www.aquaprad.com.
Martell:
This National Park cente is located in the Martell valley, directly on the main road in the vicinity of the Trattla leisure area. It has a permanent exhibition showing the rural culture and the cultural background of the Martell valley, its inhabitants, its varied history and the inhabitants’ search for happiness and their love of their land. Details of opening times and other information can be found at www.culturamartell.com.
It includes the entire mountain region of Ortler-Cevedale and its adjoining valleys, extending in the north as far as the Swiss Engadine National Park and in the south as far as the Adamello Regional Park in Lombardy. In 1935, this area was declared to be a national park with the aim of preserving the region’s scenery, flora and fauna. From the glacier capped mountain (the Ortler - 3905 m) across pasture land and sloping terraces right down to the floors of the valley (Latsch - 650 m), the Stelvio National Park displays the entire gamut of Alpine features.
The most beautiful aspects of the National Park are not only found naturally. They are also displayed at 3 visitors’ centres in Trafoi "naturatrafoi" (Life on the Border), Prad "aquaprad" (Life in the Water) and in Martell "culturamartell" (Rural Culture).
Trafoi:
The visitors’ centre "naturatrafoi" lies in the centre of the Stelvio National Park, in Trafoi, directly on the Stelvio Pass Road. The exhibition in this centre focuses on "Life on the Border" and offers fascinating insights into the geology of the Ortler mountain range and into the survival of flora and fauna under the extreme climactic conditions of the mountain countryside. Details of opening times and other information can be found at www.naturatrafoi.com.
Prad:
The National Park centre "aquaprad“ (14 different aquaria with indigenous fishes) is located in Prad on the Stelvio Pass. The visitor centre with its main theme of water was opened in 2003, the International Year of Water. The centre contains a wealth of graphic insights into Life in the Water. The visitor is immersed in the nearby yet unfamilar world of indigenous fishes. Details of opening times and other information can be found at www.aquaprad.com.
Martell:
This National Park cente is located in the Martell valley, directly on the main road in the vicinity of the Trattla leisure area. It has a permanent exhibition showing the rural culture and the cultural background of the Martell valley, its inhabitants, its varied history and the inhabitants’ search for happiness and their love of their land. Details of opening times and other information can be found at www.culturamartell.com.
