Stelvio National Park
Author: VeronicaThe Stelvio National Park is the largest and interesting protected area throughout Europe. Located in the heart of the Central Alps cover an area of about 135,000 hectares.
The park extends itself over the territories of the provinces of Sondrio, Brescia, Trento and Bolzano. Bordered by the Swiss National Park of Engadine, the Adamello-Brenta Park and the Natural Park and of Brescian Adamello.
Central Alps
The Stelvio National Park was established by Law No 740 on the 24th of April 1935, but after several years of difficult planning and insufficient funding from the state, in 1977 it has expanded its borders, bringing the protected area from 95,000 to 135,000 hectares.
Since 1995, the management of the Stelvio National Park is entrusted to a consortium formed by the State, by the Lombardy Region and the Autonomous Provinces of Trento and Bolzano. The birth of the Consortium had the aim to harmonize the need of a unitary management, the aspirations of local people to safeguard their traditions and the suggestions and expectations of local and environmental organizations existing in the territory.
The wide extent of the territory of the Park determines the presence of a wide range of environments. The variation of altitude from 600m. to almost 4000m. above sea level allows the presence of about two thousand species of flora and forests of various kinds. There are few accessible areas, but also thick and varied forest of conifers, broad plateaus, extensive meadows, alpine lakes, wetlands, impervious rocky ridges, perpetual glaciers.
FLORA
The vegetation is divided into several sections that follow each other changing appearance and composition in accordance with quota and other environmental parameters. To lower height there are various associations of hardwood, but much more widespread are the conifers, represented by woods of red fir and, to higher levels, by larch often associated with pine.
In the area of brushes you find principally the presence of dwarf pine, rhododendron, juniper, blueberry, green alder, while at higher levels, there are pastures with different grass species.
Blueberry
Climbing up the slopes of the park in spring-summer period, you move from the rich meadows flowering of the valley to the less known but important flora of the undergrowth and then tothe most typical alpine flora.
There are numerous officinal species, while among the rare phytogeography plant species we remember the Twinflower (Linnea borealis) and Twayblade (Listera Cordata).
Twinflowers
Twayblade
There are many species typical of wetland and peaty areas, in particular the Eriophorum Scheuchzeri At higher levels the vegetation presents tundra characteristics with green islands spaced out by detritus among white snowy masses, on which there are species such as the Alchemilla pentaphyllea.
FAUNA
There are about thirty species of mammals, 131 species of birds, reptiles and amphibians, some species of fishes and many invertebrates.
The most significant appearances are those of deers and roes and, at higher levels, those of chamois and ibex. Moreover you find marmots, squirrels, mountain hares, ermines, martens, stone martens, badgers and foxes. It’s very particular the presence of capercaillies, black cocks and white patridges.
Another important presence is that of golden eagle, the symbol of the park. For a total immersion in the environment you have the possibility to choose between a great number of itineraries, properly reported, from the easiest for children and elderly persons to the most challenging for experienced mountaineers.
Golden Eagle
The lives of men and animals melts in this area where there are many mountain villages. Tourism, sheep farming and agriculture are parts of economy of the Alps.
Also near the highest peaks, hikers can find mountain chalets and shelters where rest in, centers organized to observe animals in their natural habitat and marked trails to learn more about the Park.
How to arrive there
Side of Lombardy
By car: through the main road SS 36 from Milan to Colico continuing through the road SS 38 to Bormio. Another access road is the SS 42, which crosses the Camonica Valley to Pontedilegno.
By train: fom Milan to Tirano. Hence the localities of the park are accessible by bus. From Brescia using the railway line Brescia – Edolo and then with the bus to Pontedilegno and surrounding areas.
Side of Alto Adige
By car: it is convenient the Highway of Brennero (A 22) to Bolzano taking after the main road SS 38.
By train: always from Merano to Bolzano. Hence the localities of the park are served by bus lines.
Side of Trentino
By car: from Trento through the Highway A 22 using the San Michele all’Adige-Mezzacorona exit, running along the main roads SS 43 to Cles and then the SS 42 along the valley of the Sun, to the Passo del Tonale.
By train: from Trento to Malè through the electric rail and then by bus to the valleys of the park.
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