Swiss National Park Schweizerischer Nationalpark (Parc National Suisse, Parco Nazionale Svizzero, Parc Naziunal Svizzer)

The Swiss National Park (Schweizerischer Nationalpark, Parc National Suisse, Parco Nazionale Svizzero, Parc Naziunal Svizzer), founded in 1909, lies in the Lower Engadine to the northwest of the Ofen pass (Pass dal Fuorn), and covers an area of 168 sq. km/65 sq. mi. In the south it borders on Italy for a distance of 15km/9mi. It is a mountainous region of eastern Alpine character, with some Dolomitic features. The highest peak in the National Park is Piz Pisoc (3,174 m/10,414ft), to the north, closely followed, in the south, by Piz Quatervals (3,164 m/10,384ft) from which radiate the four valleys referred to in its name. The permanent snow level lies between 2,900 m/9,515ft and 3,000 m/9,843ft.

The only area of habitation in the park is the Il Fuorn Hotel on the busy Ofen pass road (Ofenberg road), which runs from Zernez into Val Müstair. Along this road are nine parking places, from which radiate a network of footpaths (marked white-red-white) with a total length of 80km/50mi.

Visitors must not leave the marked paths: the National Park is subject to strict regulations designed to ensure that the natural conditions are not disturbed in any way. Information can be obtained from the Nationalparkhaus in Zermez.

About a third of the park's area is covered by forest. The characteristic tree is the mountain pine; larches and stone pines, forest pines and spruce feature less prominently, and deciduous trees (birch, aspen, willow) play a very minor role. Above the tree-line dwarf shrubs predominate (rhododendrons, dwarf willows, junipers, crowberries, etc.). On the dry limestone crags the commonest form of grass cover is the brownish type of turf known in Switzerland as "crooked sedge turf" (Krummseggenrasen, Caricetum curvulae). On the sunnier hillsides the predominant vegetation is blue grass (Sesleria semperviretum). The type known as "milk-grass pasture" (Milchgrasweide), which includes a wide variety of species, prefers wetter ground, while on poor soil the mat grasses form a thick felt-like carpet. Particularly attractive flowers are found in small hollows on shaded slopes which become impregnated with melt-water. The brilliantly yellow Rhaetian Alpine poppy manages to find a foothold even on steep scree slopes.

Altogether there are over 5,000 species of animals. Reptiles and amphibians are represented by the grass frog, Alpine newt, viviparous lizard and adder. The commonest rodents are the marmot, the blue hare and the squirrel. Altogether 30 species of mammals are found - among the larger game are red deer, chamois, ibex and small numbers of roe-deer; among the predators the fox, the marten and the ermine. There are more than 100 species of birds, the commonest being nutcrackers, ring ouzels, Alpine titmice and greater spotted woodpeckers; the game birds include capercaillie, black grouse, rock partridge, ptarmigan and hazel hen; and the crags provide nesting-places for ravens, Alpine choughs and, in many places, golden eagles.

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