Stelvio National Park

Established in 1935, the park covers around thirteen hundred square kilometres across three administrative regions, centred on the Ortles-Cevedale massif with peaks over three thousand five hundred metres and extensive glaciers. Ibex, hunted out of the Alps by the nineteenth century, were reintroduced here and are now established, alongside chamois, marmots, red deer and golden eagles; bearded vultures have also returned to the range. The Val Venosta side carries the Waalwege, irrigation channels cut centuries ago to bring meltwater to dry slopes, with maintenance paths beside them still used as walking routes.

Background

Stelvio is the fourth largest national park in Italy, spread over 24 municipalities, and its land runs from valley floors at 650 metres to summits of 3905 metres. It borders the Swiss National Park, the Adamello Brenta Natural Park and the Adamello Regional Park, and together these parks protect 400,000 hectares. In December 2025 a wildlife photographer found around 20000 dinosaur footprints near the Swiss border, dating back about 210 million years. The site ranks among the largest Triassic trace fossil finds, and the trackways, preserved on high Alpine cliffs, record the movement of long-necked herbivores that walked on two legs.

Source: Wikipedia, "Stelvio National Park"

The landscape

• The ibex - reintroduced herds grazing above the tree line.
• The Ortles glaciers - large ice fields on peaks over 3,500 metres.
• The Waalwege - centuries-old irrigation channels with walking paths.
• The three-region spread - one park across Lombardy, Trentino and South Tyrol.

When to go

June to September for high walking; snow lies late above two thousand metres. Winter brings ski touring. Some access roads including the Stelvio close for months.

Things to know

High routes need experience and equipment, and glaciers need a guide. Access roads close in winter. Weather changes fast and huts book out in August.

Nearby

The Stelvio pass crosses it; the Val Venosta runs north.

Key facts