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Overview
This is the largest of Italy's national parks and situated in the north of the Italian Alps adjoining the Swiss border and the Swiss NP. The altitude ranges from 350m up to more than 3900m and the park includes mountains, deep valleys and glaciers.
The River Adige has extensive meadows and there are lakes in the northwest of the park. There are forests of larch and spruce in lower areas and Arolla Pine in the more upland parts, above which there are alpine meadows.
Birds
Notable Species
The birdlife of the park includes Golden Eagle, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Rock Ptarmigan, Western Capercaillie and Black Grouse and many other typically Alpine species.
The forests have Black Woodpecker and other woodpeckers and Grey Wagtail and Common Dipper feed along the streams.
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
European Honey Buzzard, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Golden Eagle, Common Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Hazel Grouse, Rock Ptarmigan, Black Grouse, Western Capercaillie, Rock Partridge, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Eurasian Pygmy Owl, Long-eared Owl, Tengmalm's Owl, Alpine Swift, Black Woodpecker, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Three-toed Woodpecker, Grey Wagtail, Common Dipper, Alpine Accentor, Ring Ouzel, Wallcreeper, Spotted Nutcracker, Alpine Chough, Carrion Crow, Northern Raven, White-winged Snowfinch, Chaffinch, Citril Finch, European Goldfinch, European Greenfinch, Common Crossbill, Common Bullfinch
Other Wildlife
Mammals found in the park include Red Deer and Roe Deer, Ibex and Chamois, Alpine Marmot and Pine Marten and Beech Marten, Bear may still occasionally occur but they are very rare.
The flora of the park is extremely rich and varied with the majority of plant species recorded in the Alps found here. Three species are endemic, Primula donensis, Saxifraga vandellii and Astragalus venostanum, and orchids such as Lady's Slipper, False Musk and Black Vanilla are common.
Site Information
History and Use
To do
Areas of Interest
To do
Access and Facilities
There are hotels, pensions and campsites within the park and an information centre and botanical garden at Bormio where the park offices are located.
The park is easily reached by road from Tirano to the south or Merano to the northeast.
Contact Details
To do
External Links
Content and images originally posted by Steve
Reviews
Swissboy's review
Stelvio NP is presently one of the main breeding places for the first wild Bearded Vultures stemming from captive stock. One nest can actually be seen from the main road, though at a considerable distance. Look in the area about half way between Bormio and the turnoff to Umbrail pass. Beware of the traffic. The east side of the pass has particularly spectacular scenery. Bormio is a good place to find a place to stay.
Pros
- good chance for Bearded Vultures
Cons
- much traffic on the main road
