Biotopo Torbiera di Rasun, Regional nature reserve in Rasen-Antholz, Italy
The Biotopo Torbiera di Rasun is a regional nature reserve featuring marshy meadows, small lakes, and dense forests spread across roughly 23 hectares at 1,075 meters (3,530 feet) elevation. The terrain shows distinct zones where water and vegetation define the landscape character.
The reserve was established in 1973 to protect a section of the original moorlands that once covered much of the Antholz valley. This designation has allowed rare plants and animals that depend on wetland habitats to survive and persist in the region.
The name Rasen stems from Celtic language roots, reflecting how this region has long been defined by its wetland character in the South Tyrol mountains. Today, locals maintain a strong connection to these marshy lands that shape their sense of place.
You can reach the reserve via a roughly 20-minute walk starting from Oberrasen church, following wooden walkways with informational panels along the route. The path is straightforward and offers opportunities to spot wildlife as you move through the space.
The reserve contains one of South Tyrol's largest moorland systems, where carnivorous sundew plants trap insects in the nutrient-poor soil conditions. These plants signal the special environment that can only exist in undisturbed wetlands.
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