GEOPARC Bletterbach

Experience geology ... at a glance. Due to its unique landscape, the beauty and its scientific importance, its geology and geomorphology, on June 26th 2009, Geoparc Bletterbach (ital. Rio delle foglie), has been declared World's natural heritage by UNESCO.

Having a walk trough the canyon and around the GEOPARC Bletterbach, is an overwhelming experience.  A special experience which takes you on a journey through millions of years of geological history.

The Bletterbach offers a view into the interior of the mountains, into the world of stones. The gorge is the result of weathering and erosion, Over a section of about 8 kilometres the Bletterbach has been carving its way since the Ice Age, about 15,000 years ago, up to 400 m. deep, into the different eras in the history of the earth. Layer upon layer has bee exposed. Ten billion tonnes of rock were removed and carried down into the Adige Valley. Now we can leaf through it as if it were a book.

In contrast to the complicated and confusing situation in other parts of the Alps, the strata here are intact, and the structure of the rocks gives an insight into their creation, the climate, and the environment 250 million years ago. In addition the tracks of prehistoric reptiles have been found in the Gröden sandstone strata. Well-preserved impressions of parts of plants, and numerous traces of animal activity - of eating and burrowing – provide information about the flora and fauna. Fossils in marine deposits, such as mussels, snails and cephalopods tell us about life in the warm tropical seas of the time.

Discover and enjoy very special days: exciting, adventurous and instructive, and at the same time gentle, to both, human and nature.

Book presentation:

„The Bletterbach - Canyon
– Stories in the rock“

The book is available in the Visitor Centre GEOPARC Bletterbach or in the Tourist Office of Aldino for 9,90€.