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Coordinates: 46°40′N 10°12′E / 46.667°N 10.200°E / 46.667; 10.200
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Major rework of the article. Added sections on history and hiking routes. Information largely sourced from official sources from the park itself or the cantonal government of Grisons. Also added some lines about the animals that live in the park, which was previously left unnoticed.
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| name = Swiss National Parks
| name = Swiss National Parks
| alt_name = Parc Naziunal Svizzer
| alt_name = Parc Naziunal Svizzer
| iucn_category = Ia
| iucn_category = Ia
| iucn_ref = <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.protectedplanet.net/915|title=Schweizerischer Nationalpark|website=Protected Planet|access-date=2018-12-30}}</ref>
| iucn_ref = <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.protectedplanet.net/915|title=Schweizerischer Nationalpark|website=Protected Planet|access-date=2018-12-30}}</ref>
| photo = Swiss_National_Park_002.JPG
| photo = Swiss_National_Park_002.JPG
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| nearest_city = [[Zernez]]
| nearest_city = [[Zernez]]
| coords = {{coord|46|40|N|10|12|E|region:CH-GR|display=inline,title}}
| coords = {{coord|46|40|N|10|12|E|region:CH-GR|display=inline,title}}
| area_km2 = 172.3
| area_km2 = 170.3
| established = 1 August 1914
| established = 1 August 1914
| visitation_num =
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| visitation_year =
| governing_body =
| governing_body =
|map_image=Graubünden Swiss nationalpark map location.png}}
| map_image = Graubünden Swiss nationalpark map location.png
}}


The '''Swiss National Park''' ({{lang-rm|Parc Naziunal Svizzer}}; {{lang-de|Schweizerischer Nationalpark}}; {{lang-it|Parco Nazionale Svizzero}}; {{lang-fr|Parc National Suisse}}) is located in the [[Western Rhaetian Alps]], in eastern [[Switzerland]]. It is within the [[Cantons of Switzerland|canton]] of [[Graubünden]], between [[Zernez]], [[S-chanf]], [[Scuol]], and the [[Fuorn Pass]] in the [[Engadin]] valley on the border with [[Italy]].
The '''Swiss National Park''' ({{lang-rm|Parc Naziunal Svizzer}}; {{lang-de|Schweizerischer Nationalpark}}; {{lang-it|Parco Nazionale Svizzero}}; {{lang-fr|Parc National Suisse}}) is located in the [[Western Rhaetian Alps]], in eastern [[Switzerland]]. It lies within the [[Cantons of Switzerland|canton]] of [[Graubünden]], between [[Zernez]], [[S-chanf]], [[Scuol]], and the [[Fuorn Pass]] in the [[Engadin]] valley on the border with [[Italy]]. Founded in 1914, the Swiss National Park is the oldest [[national park]] in the [[alps]] and in [[Central Europe]].


It is part of the worldwide [[World Network of Biosphere Reserves in Europe and North America#Switzerland|UNESCO Biosphere Reserve]].<ref>[http://www.unesco.org/mabdb/br/brdir/directory/biores.asp?code=SWI+01&mode=all Parc Suisse Biosphere Reserve]</ref>
It is part of the worldwide [[World Network of Biosphere Reserves in Europe and North America#Switzerland|UNESCO Biosphere Reserve]]<ref>[http://www.unesco.org/mabdb/br/brdir/directory/biores.asp?code=SWI+01&mode=all Parc Suisse Biosphere Reserve]</ref> and has [[IUCN protected area categories|IUCN category]] Ia, which is the highest category, signifying a strict nature reserve. Today, the Swiss National Park has an area of 170.3 km<sup>2</sup><ref>{{Cite web |last=UFAM |first=Bundesamt für Umwelt BAFU {{!}} Office fédéral de l'environnement OFEV {{!}} Ufficio federale dell'ambiente |title=Schweizerischer Nationalpark |url=https://www.bafu.admin.ch/bafu/de/home/themen/thema-landschaft/landschaft--fachinformationen/landschaften-nationaler-bedeutung/paerke-von-nationaler-bedeutung/schweizerischer-nationalpark.html |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=www.bafu.admin.ch |language=de}}</ref> and is the largest nature reserve in Switzerland.


== Description ==
== Description ==


The Swiss National Park covers various terrains, from relatively low valleys to high peaks. The highest peak in the National Park is Piz Quattervals, 3165 m.a.s.l, which can be reached by an alpine hike. As of 2022, this is the only [[National Park]] in Switzerland. There are plans to create more.<ref>[http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss_news/Pioneer_nature_park_marks_centenary.html?cid=38007454 Pioneer nature park marks centenary]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Swiss parks |url=https://www.parks.swiss/en/the_swiss_parks/ |access-date=2022-06-02 |website=www.parks.swiss}}</ref>
It was founded on 1 August 1914, the national holiday of Switzerland. It was one of the earliest national parks in Europe and has an area of 174.2&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, the largest protected area of the country.

As of 2022, this is the only [[National Park]] in Switzerland. There are plans to create more.<ref>[http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss_news/Pioneer_nature_park_marks_centenary.html?cid=38007454 Pioneer nature park marks centenary]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Swiss parks |url=https://www.parks.swiss/en/the_swiss_parks/ |access-date=2022-06-02 |website=www.parks.swiss}}</ref>
An Adula National Park was planned in the [[Adula Alps]], but in November 2016 the inhabitants voted against it.<ref>Franca Siegfried, [https://www.horizons-mag.ch/2019/09/05/poor-communication-torpedoes-a-second-national-park/ "Poor communication torpedoes a second national park"], ''[[Horizons (magazine)|Horizons]]'', 05/09/2019, accessed 2 October 2023</ref><ref>Annina Helena Michel, André Bruggmann, "Conflicting Discourses: Understanding the Rejection of a Swiss National Park Project Using Data Analysis Triangulation" in ''Mountain Research and Development'' 39(1) (June 2019), [https://doi.org/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-18-00081.1 R24-R36]</ref>
An Adula National Park was planned in the [[Adula Alps]], but in November 2016 the inhabitants voted against it.<ref>Franca Siegfried, [https://www.horizons-mag.ch/2019/09/05/poor-communication-torpedoes-a-second-national-park/ "Poor communication torpedoes a second national park"], ''[[Horizons (magazine)|Horizons]]'', 05/09/2019, accessed 2 October 2023</ref><ref>Annina Helena Michel, André Bruggmann, "Conflicting Discourses: Understanding the Rejection of a Swiss National Park Project Using Data Analysis Triangulation" in ''Mountain Research and Development'' 39(1) (June 2019), [https://doi.org/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-18-00081.1 R24-R36]</ref>
[[File:Marmot Trupchun.jpg|left|thumb|200x200px|Marmot in Val Trupchun within the Swiss National Park]]
In the national park, it is forbidden to leave marked paths or to sleep anywhere apart from the ''Chamanna Cluozza,'' the [[mountain hut]] in the park. Due to this there are over 80 kilometers of marked hiking paths, separated into 21 individual hikes of various distances and difficulties. Dogs are not allowed, even on a leash. Due to these strict rules, the Swiss National Park is the only park in the Alps which has been categorized by the [[IUCN]] as a [[strict nature reserve]], the highest protection level.
[[File:003 Wild Alpine Ibex Sunset Creux du Van Mont Racine Photo by Giles Laurent.jpg|thumb|300x300px|Ibex similar to ones in the Swiss National Park]]
A visitor centre is located in [[Zernez]]. The road through the park leads over the [[Fuorn Pass]] (or ''Ofenpass'') to [[South Tyrol]] in Italy. In addition to the Swiss National Park, there are sixteen regional [[Nature parks in Switzerland|nature park]]s in Switzerland.<ref>[http://www.swiss-parks.ch/en/swiss-parks/overview-of-swiss-parks/ Overview of the Swiss parks], Federal Office for the Environment (page visited on 27 July 2016).</ref>

The Swiss National Park is home to several large animals. Visitors of the park will often hear and see alpine [[Marmot|marmots]]. These may even be observed from very close up in one of the many designated resting places within the park. Other large animals include [[ibex]], [[red deer]], [[chamois]], [[red fox]], [[Golden eagle|golden eagles]] and many more. Occasionally [[Wolf|wolves]] and [[Brown bear|brown bears]] are also observed in the park but only rarely and these animals do not permanently reside in the park any more.

== History ==
After the [[19th century]] led to a lot of the Swiss countryside being destroyed or cultivated to create space for farming in 1904 [[National Council (Switzerland)|Swiss National Council]] [[Dr. Fritz E. Bühlmann]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ratsmitglied ansehen |url=https://www.parlament.ch/de/biografie/fritz-e.-b%C3%BChlmann/1698 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=www.parlament.ch}}</ref> amongst others called for the creation of a nature reserve. The Swiss Federal Council created a committee to determine a suitable location for this nature reserve, and the area surrounding the [[Fuorn Pass]] was found to be best suited for this endeavour due to its remoteness from civilization and richness in [[flora]] and [[fauna]]. In 1909 supporters of the idea leased the [[Val Cluozza]] from the municipality of Zernez for 25 years. In 1913 a non-standing committee of the Federal assembly visited the Val Cluozza and afterwards supported the idea of a national park. Within the following year the region around the Fuorn Pass and the [[Val Minger]] were leased from their respective municipality and the lease of the Val Cluozza was renewed to now all last 99 years. The municipality of Zernez was increasingly supporting the idea due to the fact that the leased area had little to no agricultural potential. On the national holiday of Switzerland, 1 August 1914, the Swiss National Park was opened. Initially the costs of the lease were paid by a private company, called the ''Schweizerischer Bund für Naturschutz'' (Swiss coalition for nature protection), which today is called ''Pro Natura''. However, when in 1913 these costs could no longer be surmounted by the private company, the [[Swiss Federal Government]] took over the costs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1904–1914 - Der Schweizerische Nationalpark im Engadin |url=https://www.nationalpark.ch/de/about/ueber-uns/naturoase/entstehung-und-entwicklung/1904-1914/ |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=www.nationalpark.ch |language=en}}</ref>

In 1936 the Val Tavrü was removed from the Park upon request by the municipality of [[Scuol]]. In 1959 the National Park was legally restructured. A law called the ''Bundesbeschluss für den Nationalpark'' (Federal law concerning the National Park) was passed, which amongst other things extended the leases indefinitely and banned high voltage lines leading through the park. In 1961 the park was heavily extended once more, now totalling 166.5 km<sup>2</sup>. In 1964 zoologist [[:de:Robert_F._Schloeth|Robert F. Schloeth]] was appointed director of the park. He would go on to serve in that post for more than 25 years whilst heavily influencing the parks' development. In 1968 during his tenure a new visitor centre was inaugurated in Zernez as was a ''Naturlernpfad'' (Nature learning hike) on the Fuorn pass in 1976.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=1915–2000 - Der Schweizerische Nationalpark im Engadin |url=https://www.nationalpark.ch/de/about/ueber-uns/naturoase/entstehung-und-entwicklung/1915-2000/ |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=www.nationalpark.ch |language=en}}</ref> It was during Schloeth's tenure as director that the park would become part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and would be classified as a IUCN category Ia.

The most recent extension of the park occurred in the year 2000 when 3.6 km<sup><small>2</small></sup> the [[Macun Lakes]] and surrounding area was added to the park.<ref name=":0" /> There was a proposition to create a less heavily regulated zone in the areas surrounding the park, which was however rejected by the public. In 2008 a new visitor centre was inaugurated in Zernez. Some of the changes in territory that the park underwent since its inception in 1909 are detailed in the table below:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Entstehung und Entwicklung - Der Schweizerische Nationalpark im Engadin |url=https://www.nationalpark.ch/de/about/ueber-uns/naturoase/entstehung-und-entwicklung/ |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=www.nationalpark.ch |language=en}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Map
!Year
!Total area of the park
!Notes
|-
|[[File:Swiss National Park 1909.jpg|250x250px]]
|1909
|25.2 km<sup>2</sup>
|Original area leased by the ''Schweizerischer Bund für Naturschutz'' from the municipality of Zernez.
|-
|[[File:National Park 1914.jpg|250x250px]]
|1914
|137.0 km<sup>2</sup>
|With the help of the federal government the park is able to expand majorly by adding 58 km<sup>2</sup> from Zernez after having already gained additional territory in 1911 from the municipalities of Zernez, Scuol and S-chanf.
|-
|[[File:Swiss National Park 1932.jpg|250x250px]]
|1932
|163.9 km<sup>2</sup>
|Addition of 10.7 km<sup>2</sup> from the municipality of Zernez now adding the Val Ftur and the Champlönch to the park. Moreover the highlands of the Val Trupchun and the Fuorcla Trupchun totalling 5.1 km<sup>2</sup> are added from the municipality of S-chanf.
|-
|[[File:Swiss National Park 2000.jpg|250x250px]]
|2000
|170.3 km<sup>2</sup>
|The last addition to the park, the Macun Lakes, once again made it disconnected. The park appears in this form ever since 2000.
|}


== Park rules ==
In the national park, it is forbidden to leave marked paths; light a fire; disturb animals or plants, take home anything found in the park, or to sleep anywhere apart from the ''Chamanna Cluozza,'' the [[mountain hut]] in the park. Dogs are not allowed, even on a leash. Due to these strict rules, the Swiss National Park is the only park in the Alps which has been categorized by the [[IUCN]] as a [[strict nature reserve]], the highest protection level.
[[File:Trupchun Sign.JPG|thumb|Sign right outside the National Park in the Val Trupchun alerting visitors to the rules in the park.]]
In the park, visitors have to follow strict rules. These rules are regulated in a special cantonal law by the [[Grisons|canton of Grisons]] and enforced by park rangers throughout the park.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gesetzessammlung |url=https://www.gr-lex.gr.ch/app/de/texts_of_law/498.200/versions/2411 |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=www.gr-lex.gr.ch}}</ref> If these rules are not followed, the park rangers may fine visitors up to 300 [[Swiss franc|swiss francs]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Schutzbestimmungen - Der Schweizerische Nationalpark im Engadin |url=https://www.nationalpark.ch/de/besuchen/wandern/schutzbestimmungen/ |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=www.nationalpark.ch |language=en}}</ref> Some of the rules are as follows:


* It is strictly forbidden to leave the marked paths as well as the resting areas marked with posts. The route of these paths is defined in cantonal law. Violating this rule will lead to a fine of 250 CHF.
A visitor centre is located in [[Zernez]]. The road through the park leads over the [[Fuorn Pass]] (or ''Ofenpass'') to [[South Tyrol]] in Italy.
* No litter. Violating this rule will lead to a fine of 100 CHF.
* No natural object may be picked or removed: animals, plants, sticks, stones, etc.
* Dogs are not allowed in the Park, not even on a lead.
* Entry in winter is forbidden.
* No winter sports, cycling or flying of any sort are permitted.
* Bathing in lakes, pools, streams and rivers is not permitted.
* No camp fires. Violation of this rule will lead to a fine of 300 CHF.
* Overnight stays are strictly forbidden, including in parked vehicles alongside the main [[Fuorn Pass|Pass dal Fuorn]] road as well as [[Bivouac shelter|bivouac]].
* Nature must be left undisturbed.
* Flying drones of any kind is forbidden.


== Hiking routes ==
In addition to the Swiss National Park, Switzerland also has sixteen regional [[Nature parks in Switzerland|nature park]]s.<ref>[http://www.swiss-parks.ch/en/swiss-parks/overview-of-swiss-parks/ Overview of the Swiss parks], Federal Office for the Environment (page visited on 27 July 2016).</ref>
There are 21 numbered hiking routes in the National Park, of which 3 and 4 are alpine hikes. Hike no. 4 leads on top of [[Piz Quattervals]] (3165 m.a.s.l.), which is the highest peak in the park.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! colspan="3" |Route
!Length
|-
|1
|[[File:Val Trupchun.jpg|220x220px]]
|'''Alp Trupchun'''
|9.5 km, about 3 hours
|-
|2
|[[File:Fuorcla Trupchun.JPG|220x220px]]
|'''Fuorcla Trupchun'''
|3.0 km, about 2 hours 15 minutes
|-
|3
|[[File:Zwischen Chamanna Cluozza und Fuorcla Val Sassa.jpg|220x220px]]
|'''Fuorcla Val Sassa'''
|17.5 km, about 7 hours 30 minutes
|-
|4
|[[File:PQuattervals.jpg|220x220px]]
|'''[[Piz Quattervals]]'''
|5.0 km, about 5 hours
|-
|5
|
|'''Val Tantermozza'''
|1.5 km, about 40 minutes
|-
|6
|[[File:Piz Daint-Murtaröl.jpg|220x220px]]
|'''Murtaröl'''
|8.0 km, about 3 hours 30 minutes
|-
|7
|[[File:Chamanna Cluozza.jpg|220x220px]]
|'''CHamanna Cluozza'''
|8.0 km, about 3 hours 30 minutes
|-
|8
|
|'''Murtersattel'''
|7.5 km, about 3 hours 45 minutes
|-
|9
|[[File:Spöl-Ausgleichsbecken bei Margun Grimmels.jpg|293x293px]]
|'''Margun Grimmels'''
|3.5 km, about 1 hour 15 minutes
|-
|10
|[[File:ETH-BIB-Spöltal, National Park, Ortler-LBS H1-020543.tif|220x220px]]
|'''Val Spöl'''
|8.0 km, about 2 hours 45 minutes
|-
|11
|
|'''Alp la Schera'''
|3.0 km, about 1 hour 15 minutes
|-
|12
|[[File:Alp Grimmels.jpg|220x220px]]
|'''Grimmels'''
|6.0 km, about 2 hours, 15 minutes
|-
|13
|
|'''Champlönch'''
|5.0 km, about 2 hours
|-
|14
|[[File:Ofenpass.jpg|220x220px]]
|'''Punt la Drossa - Il Fuorn'''
|2.5 km, about 1 hour
|-
|15
|[[File:Munt la Schera Blick nach Norden.jpg|220x220px]]
|'''Munt la Schera'''
|13.0 km, about 4 hours 45 minutes
|-
|16
|[[File:Val Medel Fuorns 1.jpg|220x220px]]
|'''Fuorntal'''
|5.0 km, about 1 hour 45 minutes
|-
|17
|[[File:Schweizer Nationalpark Margunet 2328m.jpg|220x220px]]
|'''Margunet'''
|8.0 km, about 3 hours
|-
|18
|[[File:Val dal Botsch.jpg|220x220px]]
|'''Fuorcla Val dal Botsch'''
|17.5 km, about 6 hours 45 minutes
|-
|19
|[[File:Val Minger Parc National.jpg|220x220px]]
|'''Val Mingèr'''
|5.5 km, about 2 hours 15 minutes
|-
|20
|[[File:Mot Tavrü Grenze Nationalpark.jpg|220x220px]]
|'''Mot Tavrü'''
|6.0 km, about 2 hours 15 minutes
|-
|21
|[[File:Macun.jpg|220x220px]]
|'''Lais da Macun'''
|21.0 km, about 8 hours
|}


==Notable peaks==
==Notable peaks==

Revision as of 01:12, 4 January 2024

Swiss National Parks
Parc Naziunal Svizzer
Nearest cityZernez
Coordinates46°40′N 10°12′E / 46.667°N 10.200°E / 46.667; 10.200
Area170.3 km2 (65.8 sq mi)
Established1 August 1914

The Swiss National Park (Template:Lang-rm; Template:Lang-de; Template:Lang-it; Template:Lang-fr) is located in the Western Rhaetian Alps, in eastern Switzerland. It lies within the canton of Graubünden, between Zernez, S-chanf, Scuol, and the Fuorn Pass in the Engadin valley on the border with Italy. Founded in 1914, the Swiss National Park is the oldest national park in the alps and in Central Europe.

It is part of the worldwide UNESCO Biosphere Reserve[2] and has IUCN category Ia, which is the highest category, signifying a strict nature reserve. Today, the Swiss National Park has an area of 170.3 km2[3] and is the largest nature reserve in Switzerland.

Description

The Swiss National Park covers various terrains, from relatively low valleys to high peaks. The highest peak in the National Park is Piz Quattervals, 3165 m.a.s.l, which can be reached by an alpine hike. As of 2022, this is the only National Park in Switzerland. There are plans to create more.[4][5] An Adula National Park was planned in the Adula Alps, but in November 2016 the inhabitants voted against it.[6][7]

Marmot in Val Trupchun within the Swiss National Park

In the national park, it is forbidden to leave marked paths or to sleep anywhere apart from the Chamanna Cluozza, the mountain hut in the park. Due to this there are over 80 kilometers of marked hiking paths, separated into 21 individual hikes of various distances and difficulties. Dogs are not allowed, even on a leash. Due to these strict rules, the Swiss National Park is the only park in the Alps which has been categorized by the IUCN as a strict nature reserve, the highest protection level.

Ibex similar to ones in the Swiss National Park

A visitor centre is located in Zernez. The road through the park leads over the Fuorn Pass (or Ofenpass) to South Tyrol in Italy. In addition to the Swiss National Park, there are sixteen regional nature parks in Switzerland.[8]

The Swiss National Park is home to several large animals. Visitors of the park will often hear and see alpine marmots. These may even be observed from very close up in one of the many designated resting places within the park. Other large animals include ibex, red deer, chamois, red fox, golden eagles and many more. Occasionally wolves and brown bears are also observed in the park but only rarely and these animals do not permanently reside in the park any more.

History

After the 19th century led to a lot of the Swiss countryside being destroyed or cultivated to create space for farming in 1904 Swiss National Council Dr. Fritz E. Bühlmann[9] amongst others called for the creation of a nature reserve. The Swiss Federal Council created a committee to determine a suitable location for this nature reserve, and the area surrounding the Fuorn Pass was found to be best suited for this endeavour due to its remoteness from civilization and richness in flora and fauna. In 1909 supporters of the idea leased the Val Cluozza from the municipality of Zernez for 25 years. In 1913 a non-standing committee of the Federal assembly visited the Val Cluozza and afterwards supported the idea of a national park. Within the following year the region around the Fuorn Pass and the Val Minger were leased from their respective municipality and the lease of the Val Cluozza was renewed to now all last 99 years. The municipality of Zernez was increasingly supporting the idea due to the fact that the leased area had little to no agricultural potential. On the national holiday of Switzerland, 1 August 1914, the Swiss National Park was opened. Initially the costs of the lease were paid by a private company, called the Schweizerischer Bund für Naturschutz (Swiss coalition for nature protection), which today is called Pro Natura. However, when in 1913 these costs could no longer be surmounted by the private company, the Swiss Federal Government took over the costs.[10]

In 1936 the Val Tavrü was removed from the Park upon request by the municipality of Scuol. In 1959 the National Park was legally restructured. A law called the Bundesbeschluss für den Nationalpark (Federal law concerning the National Park) was passed, which amongst other things extended the leases indefinitely and banned high voltage lines leading through the park. In 1961 the park was heavily extended once more, now totalling 166.5 km2. In 1964 zoologist Robert F. Schloeth was appointed director of the park. He would go on to serve in that post for more than 25 years whilst heavily influencing the parks' development. In 1968 during his tenure a new visitor centre was inaugurated in Zernez as was a Naturlernpfad (Nature learning hike) on the Fuorn pass in 1976.[11] It was during Schloeth's tenure as director that the park would become part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and would be classified as a IUCN category Ia.

The most recent extension of the park occurred in the year 2000 when 3.6 km2 the Macun Lakes and surrounding area was added to the park.[11] There was a proposition to create a less heavily regulated zone in the areas surrounding the park, which was however rejected by the public. In 2008 a new visitor centre was inaugurated in Zernez. Some of the changes in territory that the park underwent since its inception in 1909 are detailed in the table below:[12]

Map Year Total area of the park Notes
1909 25.2 km2 Original area leased by the Schweizerischer Bund für Naturschutz from the municipality of Zernez.
1914 137.0 km2 With the help of the federal government the park is able to expand majorly by adding 58 km2 from Zernez after having already gained additional territory in 1911 from the municipalities of Zernez, Scuol and S-chanf.
1932 163.9 km2 Addition of 10.7 km2 from the municipality of Zernez now adding the Val Ftur and the Champlönch to the park. Moreover the highlands of the Val Trupchun and the Fuorcla Trupchun totalling 5.1 km2 are added from the municipality of S-chanf.
2000 170.3 km2 The last addition to the park, the Macun Lakes, once again made it disconnected. The park appears in this form ever since 2000.

Park rules

File:Trupchun Sign.JPG
Sign right outside the National Park in the Val Trupchun alerting visitors to the rules in the park.

In the park, visitors have to follow strict rules. These rules are regulated in a special cantonal law by the canton of Grisons and enforced by park rangers throughout the park.[13] If these rules are not followed, the park rangers may fine visitors up to 300 swiss francs.[14] Some of the rules are as follows:

  • It is strictly forbidden to leave the marked paths as well as the resting areas marked with posts. The route of these paths is defined in cantonal law. Violating this rule will lead to a fine of 250 CHF.
  • No litter. Violating this rule will lead to a fine of 100 CHF.
  • No natural object may be picked or removed: animals, plants, sticks, stones, etc.
  • Dogs are not allowed in the Park, not even on a lead.
  • Entry in winter is forbidden.
  • No winter sports, cycling or flying of any sort are permitted.
  • Bathing in lakes, pools, streams and rivers is not permitted.
  • No camp fires. Violation of this rule will lead to a fine of 300 CHF.
  • Overnight stays are strictly forbidden, including in parked vehicles alongside the main Pass dal Fuorn road as well as bivouac.
  • Nature must be left undisturbed.
  • Flying drones of any kind is forbidden.

Hiking routes

There are 21 numbered hiking routes in the National Park, of which 3 and 4 are alpine hikes. Hike no. 4 leads on top of Piz Quattervals (3165 m.a.s.l.), which is the highest peak in the park.

Route Length
1 Alp Trupchun 9.5 km, about 3 hours
2 Fuorcla Trupchun 3.0 km, about 2 hours 15 minutes
3 Fuorcla Val Sassa 17.5 km, about 7 hours 30 minutes
4 Piz Quattervals 5.0 km, about 5 hours
5 Val Tantermozza 1.5 km, about 40 minutes
6 Murtaröl 8.0 km, about 3 hours 30 minutes
7 CHamanna Cluozza 8.0 km, about 3 hours 30 minutes
8 Murtersattel 7.5 km, about 3 hours 45 minutes
9 Margun Grimmels 3.5 km, about 1 hour 15 minutes
10 Val Spöl 8.0 km, about 2 hours 45 minutes
11 Alp la Schera 3.0 km, about 1 hour 15 minutes
12 Grimmels 6.0 km, about 2 hours, 15 minutes
13 Champlönch 5.0 km, about 2 hours
14 Punt la Drossa - Il Fuorn 2.5 km, about 1 hour
15 Munt la Schera 13.0 km, about 4 hours 45 minutes
16 Fuorntal 5.0 km, about 1 hour 45 minutes
17 Margunet 8.0 km, about 3 hours
18 Fuorcla Val dal Botsch 17.5 km, about 6 hours 45 minutes
19 Val Mingèr 5.5 km, about 2 hours 15 minutes
20 Mot Tavrü 6.0 km, about 2 hours 15 minutes
21 Lais da Macun 21.0 km, about 8 hours

Notable peaks

See also

References

  1. ^ "Schweizerischer Nationalpark". Protected Planet. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
  2. ^ Parc Suisse Biosphere Reserve
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  4. ^ Pioneer nature park marks centenary
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  6. ^ Franca Siegfried, "Poor communication torpedoes a second national park", Horizons, 05/09/2019, accessed 2 October 2023
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  9. ^ "Ratsmitglied ansehen". www.parlament.ch. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  10. ^ "1904–1914 - Der Schweizerische Nationalpark im Engadin". www.nationalpark.ch. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  11. ^ a b "1915–2000 - Der Schweizerische Nationalpark im Engadin". www.nationalpark.ch. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  12. ^ "Entstehung und Entwicklung - Der Schweizerische Nationalpark im Engadin". www.nationalpark.ch. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  13. ^ "Gesetzessammlung". www.gr-lex.gr.ch. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  14. ^ "Schutzbestimmungen - Der Schweizerische Nationalpark im Engadin". www.nationalpark.ch. Retrieved 4 January 2024.