The Tessa Group Nature Park stretches from the Val Senales and Val Passiria valleys to the Alpine divide and can be best discovered along the Merano High Route
Image gallery: Gruppo di Tessa Nature Park
The reserve, founded in 1976, covers several municipalities in the western part of South Tyrol: Senales, Naturno, Parcines, Lagundo, Tirolo, Rifiano, San Martino and Moso in Passiria. Also known as the Texel Group Nature Park, it includes the name-giving Texel Group or Gruppo di Tessa, in Italian, as well as parts of the Oetztal Alps and Stubai Alps with the area of the mighty Rombo Pass. This high-alpine mountain pass connects the Val Passiria valley in South Tyrol and the Oetztal valley in North Tyrol and represents Austria's highest located road border-crossing point.
Among the most wonderful places of the Gruppo di Tessa Nature Park are the Sopranes Lakes - the largest high alpine lake district in South Tyrol - as well as the Parcines Waterfall, one of the most impressive waterfalls of the Alpine area, especially when the snow melts in spring. Furthermore there are the uninhabited Val di Fosse and the Muta Farms, which represent some of the oldest mountain farms of South Tyrol. An interesting walkabout such as a tour of several days along the Merano High Route shows you the beauty of the protected area. It is only one of the many possibilities to experience the nature reserve on foot, by bike or with the snow-shoes.
Founded in: 1976
Surface: 31,391 hectares
Altitude difference: 2,857 metres
Area: Val Senales, Val Passiria, Merano and surroundings
Visitor centre: in Naturno, further information point in Moso in Passiria
