In the Antholz Valley, nature shows its many sides: colorful alpine meadows, clear mountain lakes, and habitats for rare animals and plants. These treasures make our valley unique – and deserve special protection. With mindful behavior, we can all help preserve this diversity so that both visitors and locals can enjoy its beauty again and again.
Untouched mountain landscapes, crystal-clear streams, and impressive biodiversity – the Rieserferner-Ahrn Nature Park is one of South Tyrol’s most pristine protected areas. It invites you to experience nature mindfully and to appreciate its true value – quiet, powerful, and full of life.
more informationHidden between forests and meadows lies the „Rasner Möser“ biotope – a natural high moor full of life and silence. Walking along the narrow wooden paths, you enter a fascinating world of rare plants, mysterious ponds, and the quiet magic of untouched nature. A special place to marvel, breathe deeply, and pause for a moment.
more informationIn the heart of the Antholz Valley, the Fruit Garden invites you to relax, discover, and be amazed. Among old fruit varieties, blooming herbs, berry bushes, and colorful flowers, the richness of local nature is shown at its best. The garden is part of a sustainable project to promote regional biodiversity – here everyone is welcome to pick, taste, and experience nature with all their senses.
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In the Antholz Valley, caring for nature and animals is very important. With careful behavior and simple actions, we help protect local plants and animals and keep their natural homes safe.
Number of species worldwide: approx. 400 species | Height: 5–60 cm depending on the species, sometimes up to 1 m | Distribution: Mainly Europe, Asia, and South America | Flowering season: May to August, depending on species and location | Medicinal use: Bitter compounds that support digestion
Height: Usually 30–100 cm | Lifespan: Over 50 years | Distribution: Alps, Pyrenees, Jura Mountains | Flowering season: June to August, depending on altitude | Habitat: Subalpine zone, 1,500–2,500 m above sea level | Regionally protected | Toxicity: Mildly poisonous – contains grayanotoxins
Number of species: Over 90 species | Lifespan: Perennial – corms overwinter in the ground | Altitudinal range (Alps): Spring crocus up to approx. 2,000 m above sea level | Height: Usually 5–15 cm | Flowering season: February to April | Habitat: Open woodlands, alpine meadows
Number of species: Over 350 species | Lifespan: Perennial – woody at the base, overwinters as a subshrub | Altitudinal range (Alps): Up to approx. 2,400 m above sea level | Flowering season: June to August | Regionally protected | Use: Traditionally used as a culinary and medicinal herb
Number of species: About 30 species | Lifespan: Perennial | Altitudinal range (Alps): Up to approx. 2,500 m above sea level | Flowering season: June to August | Habitat: Mountain meadows, alpine grasslands, open forests, acidic soils | Use: One of the best-known medicinal plants of the Alps
Number of species: About 150–200 species | Lifespan: Perennial | Altitudinal range (Alps): Up to approx. 2,300 m above sea level | Height: Usually 30–100 cm | Flowering season: May to August | Regionally protected | Habitat: Subalpine zone, 1,500–2,500 m above sea level
Lifespan: Approx. 10–12 years | Altitudinal range (Alps): Up to about 2,000 m above sea level | Weight: Male: 3–5 kg | Female: 1.5–2.5 kg | Mating season: April to May | Habitat: Open mountain conifer forests, forest edges, alpine mixed forests | Diet: Selective feeder – buds, shoots, herbs, berries | Regionally threatened
Lifespan: Approx. 10 years | Altitudinal range (Alps): Up to about 2,500 m above sea level | Weight: 120–180 g | Breeding season: April to June | Habitat: Dense coniferous forests, mountain forests | Diet: Small mammals, insects | Special feature: Has densely feathered feet ("rough" feathers) that provide excellent insulation against the cold
Lifespan: Approx. 10 years | Altitudinal range (Alps): Up to 3,000 m above sea level | Weight: 130–160 g | Breeding season: May to July | Habitat: Rocky high-mountain regions, cliffs, alpine pastures | Diet: Insects, spiders | Special feature: Known for its distinctive metallic-sounding call
Lifespan: Approx. 10–12 years | Altitudinal range (Alps): Up to about 2,000 m above sea level | Shoulder height / Size: 60–85 cm (shoulder height) | Weight: 20–30 kg | Rutting season: July to August | Habitat: Forest edges, wooded areas, open landscapes with cover | Diet: Selective feeder – herbs, buds, shoots, leaves, berries
Lifespan: Approx. 3–6 years | Altitudinal range (Alps): Up to over 3,000 m above sea level | Body size: Length approx. 60–90 cm (+30–50 cm tail), shoulder height approx. 35–40 cm | Weight: 4.5–8 kg | Breeding season: March to April, usually 4–6 pups per litter | Habitat: Highly adaptable | Diet: Omnivore – small mammals, birds, insects, fruit, carrion
Number of species: Approx. 25 species | Lifespan: 10–15 years | Altitudinal range (Alps): Up to approx. 2,000 m above sea level | Size: Wingspan: 110–140 cm | Weight: 700–1,300 g | Breeding season: March to June, incubation period approx. 35 days | Diet: Versatile hunter and scavenger
Measures to protect nature, wildlife, and habitats in the Antholz Valley destination are based on the current regulations of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano:
Provincial Law of May 12, 2010, No. 6 – Nature Protection Law and Other Provisions
Regulates the protection of wild animals, wild plants, and their habitats (in particular Articles 3–5, 9, and 14).
Provincial Law of July 17, 1987, No. 14 – Regulations on Wildlife Management and Hunting
Contains the principles of wildlife management, protection of wildlife populations, and rules regarding closed seasons and wildlife protection areas (in particular Articles 1–3 and 4–9).
These legal provisions form the basis for all local initiatives and communication measures on species and animal protection in the Antholz Valley.
Provincial law from 12.05.2010 Provincial law from 17.07.1987
