- Address: 7530 Zernez, Canton Graubünden, Engadine Valley, Switzerland
- Phone: +41 81 851 41 41
- Official website: www.nationalpark.ch
- Area: 172.4 km²
- Foundation date: August 1, 1914.
- Working hours: daily from 9.00 to 12.00 and from 14.00 to 17.00, Saturday and Sunday are days off
- Entrance fee: free admission, free parking
The only national park in Switzerland is located in the Engadin Valley, which is located in the east of the country. Here, in the foothills of the legendary Alps , you can admire the pristine natural scenery and watch the animals in the natural habitats. The Swiss National Park is an ideal place for hiking and a unique opportunity to explore wildlife, which we are less and less likely to see because of the rapid growth of urban areas.
For reference
The reserve was opened on one of the most terrible days in the history of mankind, the day when the First World War began, which killed more than 17 million people. Switzerland is known for its unshakable decision to maintain neutrality: during the war, it was not involved. Instead, enterprises opened in the state, the economy developed and, of course, various tourist centers.
On August 1, 1914 Engadin National Park began work. Worrying for the endlessly picturesque places of the park, they introduced a lot of rules of conduct. The first of them says that you can not leave special hiking trails. The second rule prohibits spending the night on the territory of the reserve (for the safety of the guest, too, since there is an impressive number of animals here).
However, this rule has exceptions - the hotel Il Fuorn (Il Fuorn) and the hut Chamanna Cluozza (Chamanna Cluozza). In the walls of the hotel and the forest house you will not be disturbed, and you will spend time with comfort and pleasure. Enumerate all the rules do not make sense, but we should remember that the park is very closely monitored. You can get a fine even for the most ordinary loud sounds (be it music or your own voice, not important), because they can scare the representatives of the local fauna.
| | |
Flora and fauna of the reserve
The fauna is represented by about 60 species of mammals, more than 100 birds and about 70 amphibian creatures. Some of them are even endemic, for example, the Alpine mountain goat and the Alpine newt. Here you can find a stone marten, boldly going to contact with a man, a fast trot, a brown bear and a chamois. Distributed in Europe and Asia, the red deer and hare are also residents of the reserve. Cunning foxes, squirrels, frogs and frogs, nimble voley - someone you will not meet at this triumph of nature. By the way, snakes are rare here. The only snake in the state reserve is the northern adder, which can reach 60-65 cm in length.
Birds are especially interesting from birds, or, as they are also called, lambs. The second name of the winged rulers of the Alps was due to researchers who mistakenly believed that these birds feed on sheep. In fact, the best treat for them is carrion and bones, and their claws are completely unsuited to assault and murder. Also on the reserve fly kidrovki (birds of the family of the Vranovs), huge eagles and white partridge, the only local bird that does not leave the reserve even in the severe winter time.
Despite the fact that 51% of Switzerland's national park make rocks without the slightest hint of vegetation, there is a curious greenery here. While mountain pines, endless larch and spruce form whole forestry armies, butterfly-like resinous stucco, all sorts of orchids, fairy bells, forget-me-nots, glacial icebergs and many other plants with complex names for perception create an interesting color of the park. And in the local parts grows cranberries. Of the green endemic alpine poppy, alpine edelweiss, and, as awful as it sounds, one more repetition of this word, the alpine aster.
How to get there?
You can get to the oldest alpine reserve in Switzerland by bus from the town of Zernez to Mustair. The transport connection between the cities is excellent, hourly a new bus with passengers leaves for Müstair. The entrance to the reserve is free, parking is also free. The fee is taken solely for excursions and exhibitions. Please note that on Saturdays and Sundays the park is closed, and on weekdays it is always glad to guests from 9.00 to 12.00 and from 14.00 to 17.00.
Every year the guests of the park become more and more. From the first days of June until mid-autumn, more than 150,000 tourists from all over the world come here who want to spend some time with wildlife face to face. However, people who are tired of city life are not the only ones who visit the reserve. Very often there are special events for the younger generation. They are aimed at building respect for nature, for a deep understanding of the value of its wealth. Therefore, the park is also perfect for families with children .
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
