Majestic glaciers, wide larch forests, and idyllic lakes and moors characterise the Oetztal Nature Park
Image gallery: Oetztal Nature Park
The Oetztal Nature Park (Naturpark Ötztal) includes all protected areas in and around the Oetztal valley: the Obergurgl Swiss stone pine forest, the protected area of the Oetztal and the Stubai Alps, the "Biosphärenpark Gurgler Kamm", and the natural forest Windachtal. Most of it is high alpine area: One third of the nature park is covered by glaciers and high mountains. The protected area includes the southern Oetztal valley, the Vent and Gurgltal valleys, as well as the popular villages Sölden, Vent and Obergurgl, Austria's highest located mountain village.
The highest elevation of the Oetztal Nature Park is Mt. Wildspitze with 3,758 m a.s.l., while the lowest point is the hamlet Ambach located in the north of Sölden at 1,270 m a.s.l. There are many trails and several lovely places that are worth to be visited, e.g. the Vernagt Glacier, Lake Piburg, or the popular Swiss stone pine forest of Obergurgl. Animals and plants that can be observed are the Alpine newt, the northern eagle owl, the marmot, as well as European silver firs, copper beeches and arolla pines. "Oetzi", the Iceman, was also found in the territory of the nature park, which proves the arrival of men in high alpine area thousands of years ago.
Founded in: 2006
Surface: 380 sqkm
Peculiarities: highest located moor in the East Alps at Mt. Rofenberg (2,760 m a.s.l.), highest waterfall of Tyrol (Stuiben Waterfall), highest apiary in Tyrol, highest permanent settlement
Contact info
- Nature Park Visitor Centre: Oberlängenfeld 142 - 6444 - Längenfeld
- +43 5253 20201
- office@naturpark-oetztal.at
