The Swiss National Park is an alpine reserve in the Swiss canton Grisons lies.
background
history
When the national park was founded in 1914, it was the first national park to be located in the Alps. In the following years the park was continuously expanded, for the last time in 2000.
landscape
The national park is located in an alpine zone of the Engadins. The lowest point is at 1400 meters above sea level, the highest at 3174 meters above sea level. Due to the deforestation in the 19th century, the park has a relatively large number of mats on which no forest can grow, as the tree shoots are eaten away by animals.
Flora and fauna
The flora of the park is very distinctive. It has more than 650 higher plant species, all of which have adapted to the nutrient-poor soil of the alpine regions. Typical plants are:
- The Edelweiss
- The blue gentian
- The Rhaetian Alpine Poppy
- The Elberreiskraut
The fauna of the park is equally distinctive, with more than 5000 species of animals, the majority of which are invertebrates. Even so, there are still 30 species of mammals and 100 species of birds. Examples are:
- The Capricorn
- The chamois
- "The adder"
- The alpine marmot
- The pine jay
- The red deer
- The bearded vulture
- Occasionally a brown bear, coming from Italy.
climate
The climate is dry, harsh, with strong sunlight
getting there
We recommend traveling by public transport.
In the street
From the Swiss Central Plateau, preferably over the Flüelen Pass or by car loading the Vereina tunnel into the Engadin. Depending on your wishes, you can park your car on the Ofenpassstrasse, which leads through the middle of the park, or outside the park.
Public transport
The Rhaetian Railway runs every hour through the Vereina tunnel Scuol. Get off here or elsewhere and then continue on foot. Or change in Salinas and switch to the Postbus in Zernez that goes to Müstertal. Because this line leads over the Ofenpassstrasse and thus directly into the national park.
The alternative is to travel via Italy from Meran with the Vischgauerbahn to Times, there you have a connection to the Postbus every 2 hours through the Munster Valley.
mobility
On the Ofenpassstrasse, which was built to connect the Münstertal to the Swiss road network, you can ideally move through the park by bike, car or postbus. Otherwise you can only get around on foot or by helicopter, as there is an absolute ban on bicycles on the footpaths in the park. Hikers are also not allowed to leave the marked trails. However, it is worth hiking in the park, as many parts can only be reached on foot, such as Val Cluozza.
Tourist Attractions
The greatest attraction is certainly the landscape, e.g. the Val Cluozza. Because there is a strict ban on hunting in the park, not even for natural regulation, the animals are very trusting, so that it is not uncommon for an ibex to come within a few meters of people.
activities
The activity consists mainly of enjoying, admiring and discovering nature. The park is also ideal for hiking.
shop
There are no shopping opportunities in the park, but in the official national park center in Zernez.
kitchen
The national park hotel on Ofenpasstrasse is recommended for eating. It is a typical Swiss inn. In the Cluozza hut you can stock up on a small snack.
accommodation
There are 2 sleeping possibilities within the national park:
Cluozza Hut
The small wooden hut already existed before the national park and was taken over into it when the park was founded. The hut offers simple dormitories and small rooms. Either a simple overnight stay or half board can be booked. Since the hut is in Val Cluozza, it can only be reached on foot.
Hotel Parc Naziunal Il Fuorn
The hotel offers 60 beds and 20 beds in group accommodation. All rooms are in the middle price range. Since the hotel is located on the Ofenpassstrasse, it can be reached by public transport (PostBus) or by car.
In addition, directly on the national park border on the Ofen Pass:
Friends of Nature House Ova Spin
Simple hut for self-catering with mattresses for 20 people plus 16 in the dependance.
More comfortable in Val Trupchun and also right on the national park border:
Varusch park hut
Ideal for day visitors, if you are lucky you can spot ibex and deer. Good binoculars are recommended. From Zernez by car to the Prasüras car park and a 30-minute walk away. There are also horse-drawn carriage rides there. Overnight stay for up to 35 people in double and triple rooms and mattress dormitories. Restaurant with simple cuisine.
camping
Camping is strictly forbidden in the national park, but there are campsites outside the park.
security
As long as you stay on the paths, nothing should happen. However, one should not forget that one is in the mountains. The greatest danger here comes from nature if you are not prepared for it.
trips
There are no limits to excursions, e.g. visiting the nature trail in the national park or the national park center in Zernez.
literature
- Swiss national map 1: 25,000: 1218 Zernez, 1219 S-charl, 1238 Piz Quattervals, 1239 Sta Maria
