Particularities of the Swiss National Park
Founded in 1914, the Swiss National Park (SNP) is the oldest national park in the Alps and the largest wilderness area in Switzerland. It covers 170 km2 of untouched natural landscape with 100 km of marked hiking trails.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the SNP is a reserve in the category 1a (highest class of protection, wilderness area). Animals, plants, habitats and natural processes are protected against all human interference.
Scientific research makes it possible to understand natural processes. The SNP serves as an open-air laboratory where we can observe and understand how nature develops without human interference.
Constitution Public law foundation (headquarters in Bern)
Location Canton Graubünden / Grisons (Engadine)
Altitude (metres above sea level) 1400 (Clemgia/Scuol) – 3174 (Piz Pisoc)
Climate dry, harsh, with strong solar radiation and low humidity
Area 170.3 km2 (17,030 hectares)
Founded 1 August 1914 (beginning in 1909 in Val Cluozza)
Aims total nature protection, research, information
Land-leasing municipalities Zernez (68.6%), S-chanf (13.5), Scuol (13.2), Val Müstair (4.7)
Entry to park only via the 13 official entrances
Trails 100 km official marked paths, of which 2 alpine routes (white-blue-white)
Visitors approx. 120,000 per annum
Resting areas 18 (camp fires and camping forbidden)
Pass dal Fuorn road 7 car parks (limited number of spaces)
Public transport 8 Bus stops in the Park (P1/P3/P4/P6/P8, P10, Prasüras, S-charl)
Overnight accommodation in the Park: Cluozza hut, Hotel Park Naziunal Il Fuorn
Camping forbidden within the Park (including car parks); only permitted on official campsites in the region around the Park
Dogs not permitted, even when on a lead (protection regulations)
Guided excursions every Tuesday and Thursday; private guided excursions on request
Equipment warm clothing; good walking boots, binoculars, info
Information boardsat each Park entrance and car park (beginning of trails)
Nature trail Il Fuorn-Stabelchod-Margunet-Val dal Botsch: 3 1/2 hours, info
Vegetation: Forest 28% (of which 99.5% coniferous), Alpine grasslands 21% (most alpine plants are found here), Unproductive terrain 51% (scree, rocks, high mountain region)
Winter no admittance to Park (ski-ing not permitted)
Employees ca 50, see Team
Information National Park Centre in Zernez, Tourist-Info Zernez
Basis and objectives
The laws governing the National Park were laid down in 1980 and define the purpose of the Park’s existence as follows:
«The Swiss National Park is a reserve in which nature is protected from all human interference, and in particular the entire fauna and flora are left to develop naturally.»
The law provides the framework for the protection of the National Park. Detailed regulations covering the aims of protection, paths, prohibitions and penalties are laid down within the cantonal ordinance.
The aims of the Park are threefold: to allow the unhindered development of nature without human interference; to research the ensuing natural processes; to inform visitors. Research and information are of course intrinsically linked to the overall aim of protection. In this way the National Park contributes to the sustainable development of the region.
The Swiss National Park is a strictly protected wilderness where flora and fauna can develop freely, and natural processes are allowed to run their course unhindered.
Thanks to the vision of far-sighted pioneers, Switzerland’s first national park, the oldest in the Alps, was founded in 1914. According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Swiss National Park belongs to the highest category – the “Champions League” – of strict nature reserves. Such high status carries obligations. Within the Park it is not permitted to leave the marked paths; it is prohibited to pick flowers, mow meadows, kill animals or cut down trees. Nature is left to her own devices, without hindrance or human interference. → protection regulations
It is not just a question of protection of species; the entire habitat, with all its natural dynamic processes, is strictly protected – fallen trees, avalanches and mudslides also fall into this category. The comprehensive and consistent philosophy that has been a crucial element of the SNP since its foundation on 1st August 1914 also guarantees its future development.
How does Nature develop without human interference? Research projects and long-term observation programmes allow scientists to understand complex processes more clearly.
Scientists from various research institutes use this unique open-air laboratory to gain further knowledge of the development of Alpine species and habitats. Minimal human disturbance and the many years of research activity carried out by earlier generations of scientists offer ideal conditions for a variety of research activities.
The National Park has a unique series of data that has been collected over a considerable period, making it a highly attractive research site.
The first long-term observation areas were set up in 1917, since when investigations have been carried out and documented on a regular basis.
National Park field researchers can be recognised easily by their fluorescent orange jackets and coloured armbands and are always glad to give information about their activities.
→ Find out more: Research in the National Park
Excursions in the National Park offer a fascinating experience amidst a truly natural landscape. It is well worth visiting the National Park Centre before setting off.
Walking in an untouched natural environment, observing marmots close by, seeing edelweiss growing alongside the path, looking out for a sighting of a bearded vulture, chatting with a Park warden: these are unforgettable experiences.
The SNP has put together a vast amount of information with the aim of giving visitors a clear idea of how nature interconnects; we hope this will encourage visitors to join us in protecting our natural environment.
Guided excursions, nature trails, teacher training courses, activities for children and youngsters, lectures, exhibitions, multimedia walking guides and various publications: all these are elements of the SNP’s environmental awareness programme.
The new National Park Centre in Zernez offers a vast array of interactive, hands-on displays and activities, making it an ideal place for young and old to visit before or after a walk in the Park.
Foundation and development
Fritz and Paul Sarasin, Carl Schröter and Steivan Brunies (a native of the Engadine) – who became the founding fathers of the National Park – were concerned about progressive development in the mountains and increasing industrialisation. To counter this movement, they founded the Swiss Society for the Protection of Nature, with the vision of setting aside an area of land where nature could develop without human disturbance. In 1906 Brunies commented that
“only by means of a vast project such as this can the last remaining original plant and animal species in our land, in a particular area, be saved.” (S. Brunies, 1906)
The first Federal Chief Forest Inspector Johann Coaz also played an important role in the creation of the first national park in the Alps thanks to his networking with key decision-makers. A summary:
As early as 1904, Dr. Bühlmann, member of parliament, proposed that a large reserve should be established. Investigations revealed that the area of the Pass dal Fuorn would be ideal, due to its remoteness and abundant flora and fauna.
In 1909 the nature preservation pioneers were able to lease the Cluozza valley from the municipality of Zernez for a period of 25 years. To finance payment of the lease, they founded the Swiss Society for the Protection of Nature, now called Pro Natura.
An outbreak of foot and mouth disease meant that sheep from Italy could no longer graze on the pastures of the municipality of Zernez and financial losses were incurred. This turn of events greatly assisted subsequent negotiations for additional areas to be included in a national park.
In 1913 a parliamentary committee from Berne visited the Cluozza valley. They were immediately impressed by the idea of a national park. The following year the first national park in the Alps was founded.
On 1st August 1914 the Swiss National Park was founded. Its first director was Steivan Brunies, a native of the Engadine from Cinuous-chel.
The first setback came in 1936, when – at the request of the municipality of Scuol – the Tavrü valley was excluded from the Park.
In 1957, following a heated campaign, the Swiss people voted in favour of granting a concession to the Engadine Power Company to exploit the water power of the Spöl river. This had long-term consequences on the river’s ecological system.
The former National Park House in Zernez was inaugurated in 1968. Since 2008, this building houses the municipality offices as well as the kindergarten.
New National Park regulations were introduced in accordance with federal law in 1980 and ratified on a cantonal basis in 1983.
2000 saw the enlargement of the Park, with the integration of the 3.6 square kilometre area of the Macun lakes. The idea of creating an outer zone around the Park was rejected by the local population.
Since 2001 much work has gone into the Biosfera Engiadina Val Müstair project, wherein the National Park would be designated as the core zone, with the cultivated landscape of Val Müstair and part of the territory of Scuol as a cultivation and development zone.
2008 saw the inauguration of the National Park Centre in Zernez. This major project opens up new dimensions in the National Park’s public relations activities.
In 2014, the Swiss National Park celebrates its 100th anniversary with numerous events and projects.
In 2017 UNESCO officially recognises the Biosphere Reserve Engiadina Val Müstair.
In 2021, the Swiss National Park receives the label Park of National Importance from the federal government. From this point onwards, the canton of Grisons and the municipalities in the region contribute to the financing of the National Park alongside the federal government.
In 2021, the IUCN adds the Swiss National Park to the Green List. This is a distinction for protected areas with exemplary management and successful nature conservation work.
In 2023, the reopening of the completely renovated National Park Centre in Zernez takes place.
