Vellacher Kotschna, Nature reserve in Eisenkappel-Vellach, Austria.
Vellacher Kotschna is a protected nature reserve in the Southern Karavanks featuring limestone mountains that rise to 2203 meters at their highest point. Spanning around 582 hectares, it contains spruce forests, alpine meadows, and other varied habitats that change with elevation and exposure.
The protected area was established in 1959 following the discovery of significant vermilion deposits in the region. The transformation from a mining site to a protected natural space marked a shift in how this landscape was used and valued.
The location has long served as a crossing point between Austria and Slovenia, with mountain passes connecting local communities across the border. The place reflects this borderland character, where people have historically moved back and forth through the heights and maintained contact.
The reserve has multiple marked trails suited for different ability levels and can be visited throughout the year. Visitors should expect changing weather conditions and wear appropriate footwear and layered clothing to adapt to conditions at higher elevations.
This location is home to the only Alpine population of a small turret snail species found nowhere else in the Alps. The area also supports the Euscorpius gamma scorpion, making it particularly valued among nature enthusiasts seeking rare and specialized species.
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