Rain impairs visibility

Rain impairs visibility. Ideally wait until the rain decreases and orient yourself by the ground markings.

When it rains, the ground becomes slippery. Walk carefully, look closely where you step and avoid steep, dangerous paths.

Avoid prominent objects in case of lightning (trees, boulders etc.). On a via ferrata take the next exit.

Streams rise / become dangerous

In rain, streams rise and develop great danger potential. Cross them only at the marked points!

In heavy rain, a rockfall can occur. Therefore, do not stay near vertical rock faces under any circumstances!

Metal objects are dangerous

In a thunderstorm, metal objects can become dangerous. If you have something made of metal on your body, remove it immediately.

Leave the danger zone

Leave the danger zone as quickly as possible and seek shelter at lower levels. Also observe the local warnings.

Mobile phone / communication

Make sure you can call for help in an emergency (e.g. via mobile phone) and inform someone about your route before you start.

Origins | How and when was the nature park established?

To protect this special Dolomites region and preserve it for future generations, the Schlern area was placed under protection on 16 September 1974. This marked the creation of South Tyrol’s first nature park. In 2003, the Schlern Nature Park was expanded to include the Rosengarten massif and has since been known as the Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park. It is also part of the Europe-wide “Natura 2000” protected area and has been included in the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage since 2009

Animals, plants & geology | What is there to know?

The Schlern, with its majestic rock towers — the Santner and the Euringer — is considered a symbol of South Tyrol. The Rosengarten massif, with its many rock towers, is renowned far beyond the region. Flora and fauna in the nature park are highly diverse, with around 800 species of flowering and fern plants. Geologically and geomorphologically, the park is of exceptional importance. The imposing Dolomites formations of Schlern and Rosengarten consist of robust carbonate rock. They were once two fossil coral reefs (atolls) that surfaced through erosion. Even today, one can still identify where the inner lagoon, the reef and the steep submarine slopes once were. Further insights are available at the nature park visitor centre.

Enrosadira | What is it?

At the legendary Rosengarten massif, the Enrosadira — or alpenglow — displays its full splendour: at sunset, the Dolomites rock glows in brilliant shades of red. According to legend, this magical light is a result of King Laurin’s curse. Learn more here .

Hard facts | What should I know about the nature park?

South Tyrol’s first nature park Established: 16/09/1974 Expanded to include Rosengarten: 14/09/2003 Area: 7,288 hectares Municipalities included: Kastelruth (6,483 residents, area 11,781 ha, park share 2,313 ha) Völs am Schlern (3,469 residents, area 4,438 ha, park share 1,955 ha) Tiers am Rosengarten (975 residents, area 4,209 ha, park share 3,023 ha) Schlern-Rosengarten Visitor Centre Seis am Schlern, Oswald-von-Wolkenstein-Platz 6 Nature park info points: Venetian saw mill Steger Säge, Tiers am Rosengarten Völser Weiher/Lake Völs

Visitor behaviour | How should I behave in the nature park?

Special places require special protection. To preserve this sensitive ecosystem, please follow these guidelines: Do not destroy nests, dens or other habitats. Do not collect mushrooms, plants or minerals. Lighting fires and leaving rubbish behind is prohibited. Avoid noise and stay on marked trails. Camping and overnight stays are strictly forbidden. Use public transport whenever possible. Respect private property. Park only in designated car parks. Dogs must always be kept on a lead. Do not feed or pet grazing livestock. Close gates and fences after passing through. Be considerate towards other visitors on trails and cycle routes. Be patient and respectful when stopping at mountain huts. Drones are not permitted.

Arrival | How do I get to the Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park House?

The visitor centre is located at Oswald-von-Wolkenstein-Platz 6 in the centre of Seis am Schlern. By bus: Seis and the visitor centre are easily accessible by public transport. The bus station, where all lines stop, is just a two-minute walk from the centre and the visitor centre. By car: At the roundabout in Seis, take the exit towards the village centre. After 150 metres, the visitor centre is on your left. A two-minute walk from the centre, there is an underground car park behind the Esso petrol station, below the bus station. The first level is paid parking; the second level allows two hours free parking with a parking disc.

Opening hours | When can I visit?

The visitor centre is open: Monday to Friday 8:30 am–12:30 pm | 14:00–17:00 pm Saturday 8:30 am–12:30 pm

Admission | What does a visit cost?

Nothing — admission to the Schlern-Rosengarten Visitor Centre is free for everyone.

Guided tours | Are tours available?

In July, August and September, free guided tours take place every Thursday: German: 9:30 am Italian: 11:00 am Registration is not required.

Address & contact | How can I reach the visitor centre?

Schlern-Rosengarten Visitor Centre Oswald-von-Wolkenstein-Platz 6 I-39040 Seis am Schlern +39 0471 708110 info.sr@provinz.bz.it https://naturparks.provinz.bz.it/schlern-rosengarten/naturparkhaus.asp

A family with two children hiking, with the Schlern in the background

Holiday at the Rosengarten, Schlern & beyond

Off to the Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park in the Dolomites!

The Schlern Nature Park in the western Dolomites was established in 1974 and expanded in 2003 to include the Rosengarten massif. Since then, it has been known as the Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park. It is the oldest nature park in South Tyrol. Together with the Seiser Alm landscape conservation area, it forms a protected natural environment and one single landscape unit.

Facts worth knowing about the nature park

On history, geology & more

Covering almost 7,300 hectares, the Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park offers deep insights into this fascinating habitat and its remarkable natural beauty. Here you’ll find everything you need to know about the park.

: To protect this special Dolomites region and preserve it for future generations, the Schlern area was placed under protection on 16 September 1974. This marked the creation of South Tyrol’s first nature park. In 2003, the Schlern Nature Park was expanded to include the Rosengarten massif and has since been known as the Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park. It is also part of the Europe-wide “Natura 2000” protected area and has been included in the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage since 2009
: The Schlern, with its majestic rock towers — the Santner and the Euringer — is considered a symbol of South Tyrol. The Rosengarten massif, with its many rock towers, is renowned far beyond the region. Flora and fauna in the nature park are highly diverse, with around 800 species of flowering and fern plants. Geologically and geomorphologically, the park is of exceptional importance. The imposing Dolomites formations of Schlern and Rosengarten consist of robust carbonate rock. They were once two fossil coral reefs (atolls) that surfaced through erosion. Even today, one can still identify where the inner lagoon, the reef and the steep submarine slopes once were. Further insights are available at the nature park visitor centre.
: At the legendary Rosengarten massif, the Enrosadira — or alpenglow — displays its full splendour: at sunset, the Dolomites rock glows in brilliant shades of red. According to legend, this magical light is a result of King Laurin’s curse. Learn more here.
: South Tyrol’s first nature park

Established: 16/09/1974

Expanded to include Rosengarten: 14/09/2003

Area: 7,288 hectares

Municipalities included:

Kastelruth (6,483 residents, area 11,781 ha, park share 2,313 ha)

Völs am Schlern (3,469 residents, area 4,438 ha, park share 1,955 ha)

Tiers am Rosengarten (975 residents, area 4,209 ha, park share 3,023 ha)

Schlern-Rosengarten Visitor Centre

Seis am Schlern, Oswald-von-Wolkenstein-Platz 6

Nature park info points:

Venetian saw mill Steger Säge, Tiers am Rosengarten

Völser Weiher/Lake Völs
: Special places require special protection. To preserve this sensitive ecosystem, please follow these guidelines:

Do not destroy nests, dens or other habitats.

Do not collect mushrooms, plants or minerals.

Lighting fires and leaving rubbish behind is prohibited.

Avoid noise and stay on marked trails.

Camping and overnight stays are strictly forbidden.

Use public transport whenever possible.

Respect private property.

Park only in designated car parks.

Dogs must always be kept on a lead.

Do not feed or pet grazing livestock.

Close gates and fences after passing through.

Be considerate towards other visitors on trails and cycle routes.

Be patient and respectful when stopping at mountain huts.

Drones are not permitted.

Schlern-Rosengarten Visitor Centre

Insights into the nature park for young & old

General information
Visitor Centre
Info points
50 years of the Nature Park

A brief overview of Nature Park & Visitor Centre

Since its formation in prehistoric times, the area now home to the Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park has undergone enormous change. Over time, a diverse flora and fauna developed, human activity shaped the landscape, and traditions and legends left lasting marks. The Visitor Centre aims to present all these aspects. The people who live in the Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park have also contributed significantly to preserving this valuable cultural and natural landscape through dedicated, long-term efforts.
The Visitor Centre Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park

Since its formation in prehistoric times, the area now home to the Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park has undergone enormous change. Over time, a diverse flora and fauna developed, human activity shaped the landscape, and traditions and legends left lasting marks. The Visitor Centre aims to present all these aspects. The people who live in the Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park have also contributed significantly to preserving this valuable cultural and natural landscape through dedicated, long-term efforts.

Visitor Centre Nature Park Schlern-Rosengarten
The Nature Park info points

One of the nature park info points is located in Tiers am Rosengarten, at the Venetian saw mill Steger Säge. Here you can learn interesting facts about the Seiser Alm conservation area and the water-powered sawmill technology. Another info point is located at the Völser Weiher/Lake Völs. At the car park, visitors can access information about the plant life surrounding the lake, the wildlife in the reed belt and the fish species living in the lake. Both info points are only open during the summer months.

Venetian saw mill Steger
50th anniversary (1974–2024)

For half a century, the people of the Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park have worked to protect this beautiful natural and cultural landscape and to make it accessible to visitors from all over the world. The park is a place of tranquillity and relaxation, and at the same time a living reminder of the importance of conservation and sustainable development. To mark the anniversary, a documentary film was produced: “The Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park. Living Heritage of the Dolomites.”

Documentary film

Everything about the Schlern-Rosengarten Visitor Centre

Arrival, opening hours & more

Here you’ll find everything you need for your visit to the Schlern-Rosengarten Visitor Centre. Dive into the fascinating world of the Dolomites and their geological history!

: The visitor centre is located at Oswald-von-Wolkenstein-Platz 6 in the centre of Seis am Schlern.

By bus:
Seis and the visitor centre are easily accessible by public transport. The bus station, where all lines stop, is just a two-minute walk from the centre and the visitor centre.

By car:
At the roundabout in Seis, take the exit towards the village centre. After 150 metres, the visitor centre is on your left.
A two-minute walk from the centre, there is an underground car park behind the Esso petrol station, below the bus station. The first level is paid parking; the second level allows two hours free parking with a parking disc.
: The visitor centre is open:

Monday to Friday
8:30 am–12:30 pm | 14:00–17:00 pm

Saturday
8:30 am–12:30 pm
: Nothing — admission to the Schlern-Rosengarten Visitor Centre is free for everyone.
: In July, August and September, free guided tours take place every Thursday:

German: 9:30 am

Italian: 11:00 am

Registration is not required.
: Schlern-Rosengarten Visitor Centre
Oswald-von-Wolkenstein-Platz 6
I-39040 Seis am Schlern
+39 0471 708110
info.sr@provinz.bz.it
https://naturparks.provinz.bz.it/schlern-rosengarten/naturparkhaus.asp

Safe adventures in the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage

Mountain safety

Hiker Check the weather forecast, match clothing/equipment to the tour, pack a first-aid kit and rain or sun protection.
Silence Avoid unnecessary noise and walk quietly to protect wildlife and preserve tranquillity.
Stay on trails Stick to marked paths, close gates and fences, and note that some paths cross private property.
Protected flora & fauna: Some plants and animals are protected. Respect them and help safeguard the vegetation.
Backpack Pack thoughtfully: take enough drinking water, carry your waste back to the valley and leave.
Livestock Keep your distance from grazing animals and do not feed or pet them; they can pose a danger.
Dogs Keep your distance from grazing animals and do not feed or pet them; they can pose a danger.
Cyclists & hikers: Where trails are shared between hikers and cyclists, be considerate of others.
Tourist office Our tourist offices can advise you on parking, public transport and access to starting points.
Emergency In emergencies, call 112 or use the “SOS EU Alp” app. You are legally required to provide first aid.

Rules in the conservation area

Strictly prohibited: camping, tents & overnight stays

Wild camping, pitching tents and sleeping in vehicles of any kind are strictly prohibited on the Seiser Alm, in the Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park and throughout the Dolomites Region Seiser Alm. Violations are penalised. Private property may not be used for camping purposes either. Please respect these regulations and help us protect the natural landscape of the Seiser Alm region.

Campsite

idm-suedtirol-alto-adige-mirko-strozzega-192

How to behave during sudden weather changes

Thunderstorms in the mountains

: Rain impairs visibility. Ideally wait until the rain decreases and orient yourself by the ground markings.
: When it rains, the ground becomes slippery. Walk carefully, look closely where you step and avoid steep, dangerous paths.
: Avoid prominent objects in case of lightning (trees, boulders etc.). On a via ferrata take the next exit.
: In rain, streams rise and develop great danger potential. Cross them only at the marked points!
: In heavy rain, a rockfall can occur. Therefore, do not stay near vertical rock faces under any circumstances!
: In a thunderstorm, metal objects can become dangerous. If you have something made of metal on your body, remove it immediately.
: Leave the danger zone as quickly as possible and seek shelter at lower levels. Also observe the local warnings.
: Make sure you can call for help in an emergency (e.g. via mobile phone) and inform someone about your route before you start.