Interpretive nature trails

Interpretive nature trail "Zans / Zannes"

Interpretive nature trail "Zans / Zannes", which is located in the far reaches of Villnöß / Funes valley, is the South Tyrols’s first wheelchair accessible interpretive nature trail and enables visitors to discover the natural and man-made landscapes of Puez-Geisler / Puez-Odle Nature Park .

The three kilometer trail takes you through (or past) farmland, virgin forests, and blossom-filled Alpine pastures, and ends at the imposing peaks of the Geisler / Odle mountains. The trail’s 17 stations, some of whose interpretive signs are in Braille, provide information concerning the history and the natural wonders of the area.

From the parking lot in Zans / Zannes, the trail leads through Piuswiese meadow to a game reserve, past a lime kiln, and then to Kelderer Wiese refuge and the forester's house, and back to the Zans / Zannes parking lot. The maximum upward slope is eight percent, and there are several rest areas along the trail.
The names of the various stations – “Please-touch mountains” and “Nature’s concert hall” being just two examples – reflect the type of information available at each stop. The stations also provide information concerning the park’s flora and fauna, and about how humans have affected the landscape in the farther reaches of Villnöß / Funes valley.

The wood sculptures at some of the trail’s stations were created by handicapped artisans at "Der Kirschbaum" workshop in Bozen / Bolzano. The Blindenzentrum, centre for the blind St. Raphael Bozen / Bolzano translated the texts into Braille.

• Download a PDF map (0,6 MB) of interpretive nature trail "Zans / Zannes"