Geoparc Bletterblach

A canyon to be read like a book

The GEOPARC Bletterbach is situated in the South of South Tyrol between the two mountain villages of Aldein and Radein. As other areas of the Dolomites, it has been included in the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2009. The Bletterbach Canyon 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 18,000 years ago, up to 400 m deep. The walk takes the visitors on a journey through millions of years of geological history. The strata are intact, and the structure of the rocks gives an insight into their creation, the climate, and the environment 250 million years ago. 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 provide information about the flora and fauna. Fossils in marine deposits tell us about life in the warm tropical seas of the time. The Visitor Centre at Aldein and the GEO-Museum in Radein explain the processes that led to the creation of the rocks and contain fossil finds from the gorge.

Info: www.bletterbach.info

credits:
GEOPARC Bletterbach (Photo Marion Lafogler)