In this National Park community, the Arena di Prato, aquaprad, and a forest animal trail invite visitors to explore the natural surroundings
Image gallery: Prato allo Stelvio
Closures Val Venosta Railway: Modernisation work on the Val Venosta Railway is progressing. The project includes electrifying the line, replacing the signalling system, and installing the European Train Control… read more
Prato allo Stelvio is situated right at the turning from the Val Venosta into the Ortles region, one of the ten municipalities in the Stelvio National Park. Once established to preserve the Ortles area, it is now one of the largest nature reserves in Europe, covering four Italian provinces and spanning all alpine climate zones. Prato allo Stelvio is therefore an excellent base for impressive hikes at the foot of the National Park.
One of these leads along the Archaic Trail to Stelvio and follows ancient cart tracks and trading paths. There is an abundance of precious nature in great diversity here: from the slopes of the Ortles Alps via the hamlets of Montechiaro and Agumes down into the valley to the Arena di Prato, or Prader Sand in German, where the Rio Solda flows into the Adige River.
The "Sand", how the Arena di Prato is called by locals, is a pristine area and therefore also designated as a bird sanctuary for endangered species. At the Arena di Prato, three circular trails invite children to observe and experience nature. The aquaprad National Park House, located in the main village in a modern museum building, is dedicated to the theme of alpine nature by the water. The village's official name suggests a location on the pass.
In reality, however, Prato allo Stelvio lies much lower, in the fertile valley floor of the Val Venosta, at the junction with the Solda and the Trafoi Valleys. It is still a 25-kilometre drive to the top of the pass. To the south rise the slopes of the Monte Tramontana and Mt. Croda di Cengles, which at 3,375 m marks the highest point in the municipality. Great importance is attached to traditions.
This is evident in the ancient "Proder Maschger" festival, when eight couples and the "Bajaz" parade through the village centre on Shrove Sunday and Shrove Tuesday, as well as at the traditional annual fair in September. An adventure pool, the Val Venosta Cycle Path, and several ski resorts in the surrounding area complete the range of activities on offer.
