Gadental European nature reserve

"Using nature without harming it" - this is the motto of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Großes Walsertal. In 2000, the region was included by UNESCO in the list of global model regions for sustainable living and management.

When you read about the Großes Walsertal Biosphere Reserve, you can't help but notice the "Gadental core zone". But what does core zone mean? What is so special about this valley? To find out more about this area, I take part in a guided hike.

Our hiking guide Franz-Ferdinand starts by explaining that the Gadental makes up around 16% of the core zone of the Großes Walsertal. Core zones are areas in which nature can develop without human influence. In addition to the core zone, there are also maintenance zones, in which near-natural habitats such as the Alps and forests are managed, as well as the development zone, where people live and work.

Even the first few meters of the hike are impressive: tons of gravel and rock are reminiscent of past rockfalls. Franz-Ferdinand tells us about large rockfalls in recent years that have buried the hikers parking lot. Passing small waterfalls, we reach Bad Rothenbrunnen, a place full of history. A sulphur spring by the mountain stream turns the rock red, and the water has been considered healing since the 15th century.

We continue our hike and climb further up to the Gadenalpe. The forests here are full of spirks and spruces. Spirken are tall-growing mountain pine trees, they are very frugal and like it here very much. Franz-Ferdinand explains to us that deadwood is an important part of the forest ecosystem and that many animals find their livelihood here. The variety of plants, such as the lady's slipper, is also impressive, even though we missed the blossom. It only blooms very briefly from the end of May to mid-June. We can hear birds chirping in the distance and what really excites me: I haven't seen as many butterflies as here for a long time!

After about an hour, we reach the Gadenalpe, an idyllic alpine pasture with three huts. It's quiet today as the animals are already grazing on the Alpe Matona, which is further up. We enjoy the peace and quiet. Before we return to the valley, Franz-Ferdinand pours us a round of schnaps - that's probably the custom here.

On the way back, we stop at a special viewpoint: the Kessi Gorge. The gorge with its turquoise-blue water is an impressive natural monument that has been shaped by the River Lutz over thousands of years. A breathtaking end to an educational hike through the Gadental .

We are back in the valley. The day passed far too quickly. It was an instructive and interesting tour with the hiking guide Franz-Ferdinand. We said goodbye and I made my way home full of impressions.