Stilfserjoch - National Park
In the Vinschgau valley system nature takes on many forms, undoubtedly at its most impressive in the Stilfser Joch National Park. It was established as a protected area in 1935 and encompasses the entire massif of the Ortler-Cevedale mountains, from the glaciated 3,900 summit and surrounding peaks down to the valley floor at 650 metres altitude, including high mountain regions in inhospitable, difficult terrain, secluded Alpine dairy farms, and agricultural land in the valley. For hikers the National Park is a veritable natural history book: superb landscapes, gushing mountain streams and waterfalls, blissful peace, precipitous rock faces, verdant greenswards and fauna thought to have been long lost. Bearded vultures and golden eagles wing the upper currents, chamois spring sure-footed among the rocks and scree, marmots, snow hare, ibexes, foxes, weasels and ermine are all common in this high mountain environment.
Stilfser Joch pass road
The greatest of all Alpine pass routes, it starts at Spondinig (885 m) in the Vinschgau valley floor and winds for almost 30 km up to the pass (2,757 m) in 48 hairpin bends, a difference in altitude of 1,872 metres. The road was built between 1820 and 1826 to connect the Austrian Empire with Lombardy, and was practicable for motor vehicles as soon as they first appeared. Cyclists regard it as the ultimate test of stamina and endurance, and it is often an important stage in the Giro d’Italia cycle race.
