PARCO NATURALE GRUPPO DI TESSA

This natural park, the most northerly in the country (31,390 hectares), extends between the Val Venosta and the Val Senales, above Merano. It is bounded on the north by the Austrian border. It has been awarded the Natura 2000 label and includes the Texel and Ötztal massifs.

The park's visitor centre. It is located in Naturno and offers a small exhibition on the theme of water in the mountains. Here you can find out about marked hiking routes and book guides. It has three aquariums with newts, tadpoles, snails and water fleas. Microscopes highlight the world of lichens and micro-organisms. Films are shown on its fauna and flora. On the first floor, a sensory laboratory for children allows them to smell, touch and listen to sounds, including the songs of about twenty birds. A new 600 m² centre will soon be built, interactive, with a creation laboratory and exhibitions.

Hiking. In addition to the famous Sopranos lakes, one of the main attractions of the park is the Parcines waterfall. At 97 metres high, it is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the entire Alpine arc at the time of the thaw. A multi-day excursion along the famous Alta Via hiking route is available from Merano.

Children's trail. The educational nature trail Vivere le malghe starts from the car park of Malga Casera di Fuori in the Val di Fosse, and passes through Malga Casera di Mezzo and Malga Rableid to Maso Gelato, 5 km from the starting point.