Kaunergrat Nature Park

It covers an area of 590 km² and extends from the Pitztal to the Kaunertal, from the Inn floodplains to the highest peaks of the Ötztal Alps: The Kaunergrat Nature Park is a region of unique beauty and full of treasures worth discovering. For numerous animal and plant species, the nature park is a wonderful and safe refuge to survive and thrive. With over 1,100 species of butterflies, hundreds of plant species, and a population of 1,200 ibex, this is a richness of species that is unique even in the intact natural landscapes of Tyrol.

It is named after the Kaunergrat, the mountain ridge that separates the Pitztal from the Kaunertal. The nature park encompasses an area that ranges from an altitude of 700 m to the high alpine regions. The highest point is the Wildspitze, the highest mountain in Tyrol at 3,768 m. You will encounter such diverse habitats as the sunny slopes of Fliess, the dry grasslands in the Inntal, the Piller Moor, alpine meadows, the primeval forests of the Arzler Pitzenklamm, and the majestic glacier regions.

The Kaunergrat Nature Park was founded in 1997, and it was officially designated as a nature park in 2003. In 2007, the nature park house at Gachenblick was opened, which is not only an architecturally striking information center, but also the focal point of the entire nature park. A multimedia exhibition introduces visitors to the special features of the region. The many wonders of the nature park are directly accessible, and one quickly becomes eager to discover them all outdoors in nature.

Several themed trails open up the various habitats, some of which are under nature protection. The themed trails not only provide information and knowledge, but also offer the whole family a direct and impressive nature experience. Numerous events, guided tours, hikes, and projects provide further insights and experiences in the world of the nature park.

In addition to the preservation of the diversity of animals and plants, the preservation of the cultural and historical richness is also one of the main goals of the nature park. Therefore, the production and marketing of regional products is also promoted. Here, too, there is a wonderful variety: from dairy products, cheese, bacon, and sausage products to herbs, natural cosmetics, and high-quality spirits, the range of products that can be obtained at the nature park house and from numerous direct marketers in the two valleys.

More about the Pitztal: www.pitztal.com/en

A tip from the environmentalist Moni from South Tyrol. She is an absolute nature enthusiast and tries to spend her free time in the fresh air as often as possible.