More than a century. The oldest national park in the Alps. It is not only the oldest national park in the Alps, it is also the best protected.

With its foundation in 1914, the nature conservation pioneers of the time wanted to leave a piece of the Swiss mountain landscape completely to its natural development and research the resulting changes. This became one of the most important "open-air laboratories" in the Alps. From the beginning, the promoters were concerned to inform the public about the National Park and its development. In the meantime, the SNP has developed into a nature education center that brings nature and wilderness closer to all those interested.

Switzerland has succeeded in preserving this island of natural sovereignty despite two world wars, economic crises and tourism development. The strict idea of protection and the consequent implementation find international recognition. The SNP is a unique reference area for scientific research, but its function as a place for understanding nature is also highly valued. Every year, around 150,000 people visit the SNP, three quarters of whom come from our country.

In the "Wild East" of Switzerland
The SNP is located in the canton of Grisons, in the easternmost corner of Switzerland, on the border with Italy. It covers an area of 170 km2, which is about the size of the Principality of Liechtenstein. It is part of the Engadine Dolomites with their characteristic scree slopes. Since the establishment of the park, human intervention is no longer permitted in the SNP, so that natural processes can operate freely. No animals are hunted, no trees are cut, and no meadows are mowed. Visitors must stay on the 80 kilometers of marked hiking trails. This total protection is unique in the Alps and also a reason why wildlife can be observed particularly well in the SNP. According to the World Conservation Union (IUCN), the SNP belongs to category I of "strict nature reserves" or "wilderness areas".

Awakening enthusiasm for nature
With numerous offers, the National Park enables all interested people to have special experiences in an intact nature and to raise awareness for ecological interrelationships. An important element of the educational work are excursions, which focus on the personal experience. Every year, around 5,000 people take the opportunity to discover the secrets of the SNP with its rich flora and fauna as part of a guided excursion.

The National Park Center in Zernez offers a wide range of possibilities for preparing for and following up a visit to the park. The centerpiece is the interactive exhibition covering more than 800 m² with a high experiential value. This is supplemented by personal information, digital information systems, temporary exhibitions and a store.