Gruppo Tessa Nature Park

A landscape full of contradictions, Mediterranean vegetation in the valley, perennial ice at the top, sunny and dry to the west, humid and harsh to the east; it is the largest of the natural parks, that of the Tessa group. Winter at high altitudes is long and harsh, but as the days get longer, hope resurfaces; downstream we work, even small interventions, such as the construction of a dry stone wall, offer new living spaces. In the park we find characteristic species of flora and fauna and over 70 species of minerals. The presence of abundant water on one side and the lack of water on the other deeply characterize this protected area. From the Parcines waterfall, during the thaw, 10,000 liters of water per second fall, instead on the other side Monte Sole has to be satisfied with 500mm of rain per year; in the middle we find dense forests of spruce and larch in the Val Passiria area; the landscape is characterized by streams and a dense network of artificial waterways that bring water to arid areas, the maintenance of these canals still involves a great deal of effort. Recent excavations in Val Passiria document the existence of pastures and an ancient settlement in this region. The Sopranes lakes are the heart of the park, they are called 'the eyes of the mountain' for their blue / emerald green hue. In 1991, after the melting of the ice, due to global warming, a 5,000-year-old mummy resurfaced, making these mountains famous all over the world.