Ötztal Nature Park

The Ötztal Nature Park umbrella organization comprises the most valuable nature areas in Ötztal: the Achstürze-Piburger See nature reserve, the European Natura 2000 and the Tirolean nature reserve Engelswand near Umhausen, the Ötztal Alps and Stubai Alps protected Alpine area, the natural forest reserves in Windachtal near Sölden, the natural monument of Obergurgl's Stone Pine Forest and the former UNESCO biosphere park Gurgler Kamm.

Two principles stand above all facts and figures of the Ötztal Nature Park: sustainability and participation of the local population. Also the goals are clearly defined. They can be divided into the following 5 topics: conservation of nature and landscape, promotion of recreation and sustainable tourism, promotion of (environmental) education, research and regional development.

• Nature Park since 19 Sep 2006
• Size: 510 km²
• Tirol's second biggest in size
• Austria's third biggest in size
• 95 km² of glacier surface
• 67 glaciers
• 100 km of high Alpine mountain trails
• 6 theme trails
• 152 mountains higher than 3000 meters
• 48 mountain huts and pastures
• Tirol's biggest waterfall

In the pavilion of the tourist information office the Nature Park presents a landscape relief on a scale of 1:20,000. On a touchscreen visitors can select terms and view more than 70 particularly interesting natural history spots directly on the three-dimensional Ötztal miniature (including additional information).

 

 

At the Horlach car park in Niederthai an approx. 4 x 5 meter bronze information panel focuses on the surface topography of the area. A centrally located wood model on a scale of 1:10,000 shows the Tauferberg area which was shaped by the massive Köfels rockslide that happened more than 9000 years ago. Information boards and graphics provide more detailed facts.

 

From the 2019 spring, the new Nature Park House in the center of Ötztal valley will be the operational center of the Nature Park and the centerpiece for visitors interested in natural history. On a 270 m² exhibition area multimedia devices show Ötztal's unique nature in all its facets by extending the contents of the peripheral information points.

 

At the car park in the village limits of Gries, where Winnebach brook flows into Fischbach, visitors will find a 4 x 5 m bronze and wood information panel. Information boards and graphics provide countless interesting facts about the habitat of white water, the function of protective forests and the history of the mountain village of Gries.

At 2670 m high Hohe Mut Alm near Obergurgl an interactive exhibition presents fascinating facts on the subject of "Glacier - Climate - Research". Selected exhibits on the high Alpine flora and fauna, stones from Obergurgl, real glacier ice and a multimedia table make you understand easily what high Alpine research in Ötztal is about.

In the parish house of this mountain village a multimedia exhibition on about 50 m² presents exhibits and background information on the Alpine habitat around Vent. Audio stations provide animal sounds or field names in Ötztal dialect. Using touchpads you can, for example, scroll through the guest book of Franz Senn - founder of the Alpine Club.