Walking in Italy's Stelvio National Park

Italy's Largest Alpine National Park

This handy guidebook by an expert local author explores one of the most extensive protected areas in the Alps - the Stelvio National Park in the Rhaetian Alps of Italy. Sitting between the Dolomites to the east and Switzerland to the west, the park encompasses valley farmland and villages that have been occupied for centuries, forested hillsides and alpine meadows as well as a high wilderness of glaciated summits and ridges.   The 38 graded summer day routes described here range from low-level easy strolls for the novice to strenuous mountain scrambles up to unglaciated summits for the more experienced. Routes are spread right across the park, with a selection from each of the main valleys, and all can be fitted into a single day - although spreading them over two, with a stay in one of the excellent mountain refuges, would be just as enjoyable.   All the centres are easy to reach by public transport from airports in northern Italy or Innsbruck, over the border in Austria, and offer an excellent range of accommodation. This is the first English-language guide to the Stelvio National Park and also includes an Italian-German-English glossary, accommodation listings and other useful contact information. It will undoubtedly attract adventurous walkers keen to explore a new summer hiking area.