Naturpark Ötztal

ÖTZTAL NATURE PARK as an umbrella covers a network of protected areas in Ötztal Valley. It extends from the valley floor all the way up into alpine and high alpine terrain shaped by glaciers. The highest point is Wildspitze with 3,774 m. The mountain villages Vent (cradle of the Alpine Association) and Obergurgl (Tirol’s highest church village) as well as Niederthai/Umhausen and Gries/Längenfeld are located in the heart of ÖTZTAL NATURE PARK and are ideal starting points for exploring the area.

ÖTZTAL NATURE PARK is home to a number of near to nature areas: The protected areas Ötztal Alps and Stubai Alps fascinates with high alpine natural landscape with extensive glacier areas. The natural forest reserves in Windachtal at Sölden show typical Swiss pine stands.

The steeply soaring Engelswand cliff at Umhausen amazes with vertically perfectly adapted flora and fauna and is distinguished as a European Natura 2000-protected area and Tyrolean nature reserve. The nature preserve Achstürze-Piburger See at the entrance to Ötztal impresses with incomparable lake ambience and rustic rockfall-landscape.

Objectives

The objectives of ÖTZTAL NATURE PARK cover 5 areas:

Nature & Landscape
Tourism/Recreation
Education
Research
Regional development

These five pillars make up the cornerstones in terms of content for the day-to-day nature park work, within which various projects and initiatives are carried out.

Here you’ll find more details about the objectives & tasks of the nature park.