Texelgruppe Nature Park near Meran/Merano in South Tyrol

Imposing variety

Lodner and Similaun mountains, Partschins waterfall and Spronser Seen lakes

The Texelgruppe Nature Park is the largest by area in South Tyrol. Its area is bordered by Meran in the south, the Schnalstal valley in the west, the Passeiertal valley in the east and the main Alpine ridge in the north.

IDM Südtirol-Alto Adige/Alex Filz

IDM Südtirol-Alto Adige/Damian Pertoll

Athesia Tappeiner/Alex Filz

IDM Südtirol-Alto Adige/Damian Pertoll

Waalwege canal trails, mountain lakes and striking peaks

The Meran valley basin has the Texelgruppe range to thank for its mild climate because the peaks offer protection from the cold north. The most striking peaks, the Lodner and Hohe Weisse, stand out against their surroundings with their bright light marble layers. The ten Spronser Seen lakes, South Tyrol’s highest-altitude collection of lakes, sparkle like gemstones at the heart of this fascinating mountain landscape.

The powerful Partschins waterfall is an impressive natural spectacle, especially during the period of snowmelt in spring. The water flows more gently in the Waale canals. The sunny slopes of the Vinschgau valley and Burggrafenamt can be explored on foot along this centuries-old irrigation system.

The Schnalser and Gurgler mountain crests, both of which form part of the Ötztal Alps, border the nature park to the north with striking peaks such as the Finailspitz or Similaun and the Granatenkogel, renowned for its fist-sized pieces of granite.

Anyone wishing to go walking in the Texelgruppe Nature Park over a few days can tackle the Meran High Mountain Trail.

Discover animals and plants

Parts of the nature park are characterised by sunny and dry south-facing slopes and are a homeland for heat-loving animals such as the western green lizard and praying mantis. You need to go up higher if you want to see the Alpine ibex.

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The Meran High Mountain Trail

The Meran High Mountain Trail runs along a 100 km trail through the nature park. The five to eight stages are also suitable for day tours and you will be rewarded with views of the Ortler mountain range and Dolomites.

To the stages

Always worth a visit

Sport, indulgence and tradition. Submerse yourself in the culture of the local people and enjoy the fascinating landscapes of the nature parks during the annual cycle of events.

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Where do you fancy?

Walk to where Ötzi the Iceman was found, view the mysterious depths of the Spronser Seen lakes or recharge your batteries at the Partschins waterfall. These experiences all await at the Texelgruppe Nature Park.

The Iceman

1991 entdeckte ein deutsches Bergsteiger-Ehepaar am Tisenjoch auf 3.210 Meter Höhe zufällig eine hervorragend erhaltene Mumie aus der Jungsteinzeit: Ötzi, der Mann aus dem Eis. Die Presse und renommierte Wissenschaftler aus der ganzen Welt beschäftigten sich mit der Mumie. Heute vermitteln uns interessante Forschungsergebnisse ein umfassendes Bild des Mannes, von seiner Herkunft, seines Lebens bis hin zu den Ursachen für seinen Tod.

Die über 5.000 Jahre alte Gletschermumie kann im Südtiroler Archäologiemuseum in Bozen besichtigt werden und ihre Fundstelle mit Prachtblick zum Similaun ist mit einer Steinpyramide markiert. Ganzjährig bringt die geführte Wanderung bzw. Skitour „Ötzi Glacier Tour“ interessierte Bergsteiger und Bergsteigerinnen dort hin.

This is Ötzi

Südtiroler Archäologiemuseum/foto-dpi.com

Well-being locations

Interested in exploring Alpine showcases of nature? Then you should get to know the other nature parks in the province. Not forgetting the Dolomites, the world’s most beautiful mountains.