The gorge of South Tyrol

Stones in every imaginable size and shape can be found in the Bletterbach gorge. They have been on the move for millions of years. What story do they tell? The composition of rocks show how they were formed and what the climate and the environmental condition were like 250 million years ago.

Europe’s unique canyon, the Bletterbach gorge in South Tyrol, allows us to catch a glimpse of the Palaeozoic period. Thanks to the establishment of a visitor centre, a learning path in the woods as well as a geological path with signposts, the impressive gorge has been made accessible to the public in an adequate way. The Bletterbach Geoparc is a concept developed by the municipality of Aldein, that was implemented within a 2-aim- programme.
The grand canyon in the heart of Europe- that is how you could define the Bletterbach gorge located in the holiday resort South Tyrol’s South. The rocks of the Bletterbach gorge were formed millions of years ago. Here in Aldein, during the last 15,000 years, the water flowing in the Bletterbach brook has carved its way through the earth forming an imposing gorge that is 12 kilometre long, 400m deep and unique in Europe. Nowadays, hikers and families with children, but also scientists and geo-tourists have the opportunity to experience the earth’s development from a new angle. In fact, the impressive canyon is an adventure park, a learning centre and a natural monument all in one.

The visitors centre and the geological museum
The visitors centre of the Bletterbach geoparc is located at the entrance to the Bletterbach gorge, right below the Lahneralm pasture and illustrates the proceedings that led to the formation of the rocks in the Bletterbach gorge. In addition, like the Geo-museum in Radein, it hosts a number of fossils that were found in the gorge: trace fossils of dinosaurs, fossilised fish, seashells and plants. Visitors will discover interesting facts worth knowing about how life in this area was millions of years ago.

Geoparc Bletterbach
Visitor Centre
Lerch 40
39040 Aldein- Italy
Tel.: +39 0471 886946
Fax: +39 0471 886282
E-mail: info@bletterbach.info
Open from 29th April to 4th November 2007
Daily from 9.30 to 18.00

Geomuseum Radein
Peter Rosegger Haus
Oberradein, 39040 Aldein- Italy
Information: +39 0471 887175

Opening time 2007
May-October, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday: 15-17.30
July and August, from Tuesday to Sunday: 10.00-11.30 and 15.00- 17.30

	Oggi	Tu	We	Th

Min: Max:	-7°C 0°C	-8°C 2°C	-17°C 5°C	-11°C 5°C