Swiss National Park

The Swiss National Park is a strictly protected wilderness area where animals and plants thrive freely and natural processes are allowed to unfold unhindered. Founded in 1914, it is the oldest national park in the Alps.

To allow visitors to experience this natural development firsthand, the park is crisscrossed by hiking trails totaling 100 km in length. Visitors are permitted to walk only on these marked trails to avoid disturbing the park’s flora and fauna. This comprehensive protection enables guests to enjoy truly special wildlife encounters.

Wildlife encounters as a highlight

The Swiss National Park offers a unique refuge for numerous animal and plant species. These include, for example, particularly striking animals such as bearded vultures, golden eagles, marmots, deer, chamois, and ibex. But rare species, such as the Alpine black swallowtail (Erebia styx) or the Engadine rock cress (Draba ladina), are also found here.

So when you’re out and about in the National Park, be sure to keep a close eye on your surroundings, because you’ll encounter a wide variety of animal and plant species at every turn.

Diverse Habitats

The national park spans an elevation range from 1,400 meters above sea level (Clemgia/Scuol) to 3,174 meters above sea level (Piz Pisoc). A wide variety of habitats can be found here: Rugged high-mountain landscapes, the typical scree slopes formed from the debris of the Engadine Dolomites, alpine meadows with a diverse array of plants, the lake landscape of Macun, the characteristic mountain pine forests of the Fuorn region, and the mixed forests featuring the fragrant Swiss stone pine (Arve) and the larch trees that turn golden yellow in the fall.

National Park Center

Before setting out on a hike in the protected area, we recommend stopping by the National Park Center. The National Park exhibition “Wilderness at the Center” lets you experience the park’s nature up close. The special exhibition, which changes annually, invites you to explore.

The staff at the information desk can provide you with information about hikes, guided tours, events, or the condition of the trails. The Zernez Tourist Information Office is also located in the National Park Center. Welcome!

Schmelzra Museum

On the northeastern edge of the National Park lies the remote Val S-charl (near Scuol). Silver and lead ore were mined here for over 300 years. The Schmelzra Museum in S-charl vividly illustrates the history of mining. Guided tours of the tunnels are also available. The upper floor houses the National Park’s bear exhibition. In the vicinity of Schmelzra, you’ll find the Senda da l’uors Bear Trail.

For more information, visit www.nationalpark.ch