Being one of the largest natural sanctuaries of the Alps, the Stelvio National Park - also known as "Nationalpark Stilfserjoch" in German - includes typical valleys shaped by ice and water, surrounding the impressive, almost 4,000 metres high "King Ortles" in the Ortles Alps. The landscape of this national park, one of the eight protected areas in South Tyrol, is characterized by icy heights, gushing mountain streams, lush forests and rich Alpine pastures. The nature reserve was founded in 1935 and is therefore the oldest one of South Tyrol. It includes the municipalities of Stelvio, Prato allo Stelvio, Glorenza, Tubre, Malles, Lasa, Silandro, Martello, Laces and Ultimo.

The Stelvio National Park is bordered to the north by the Swiss National Park in the Engadine, to the south by the Adamello-Brenta Nature Park in the Trentino and the Adamello Regional Park in the province of Lombardy. To the east, however, it is bounded by the South Tyrolean Gruppo di Tessa Nature Park. Covering an area of 53,447 hectares,a big part of the national park is located between 2,000 m and 3,000 m a.s.l. The eponymous 2,757 m high Passo dello Stelvio is Italy's highest mountain pass and connects the province of Lombardy (Bormio) to South Tyrol. Five visitor centres offer information about the landscape and its species-rich flora and fauna.

---

Founded in: 1935
Surface: 53,447 hectares
Altitude difference: 3,255 m
Area: west of South Tyrol, Val Venosta valley
Visitor centre: five visitor centres in Silandro, Prato allo Stelvio, Martello, Santa Geltrude and Trafoi

---