Karl-Wolf-Parkanlage

From Glaciers to Palms - in less than two hours

by Anjutka

"Timmelsjoch"

The road over the 2500 m high Timmelsjoch is maybe the one among the Alpine pass roads which allows the fastest and most impressive ride through all climatic zones from Arctic to Mediterranean.The "two hours" in the title are just a possible time for it but it is wise to allow a long day for this fascinating trip. The tour begins at the lower end of the Oetztal valley where the only one Maroni (edible chestnuts) in North Tirol are growing - at the uppermost end of the Oetztal valley "Oetzi", the famous ice mummy, was found in September 1990. At Obergurgl the ascent of the pass road starts and after a few minutes the last forest is left behind. From the quite synthetic skiing resort Hochgurgl the generous and comfortable toll road leads through an almost arctic landscape to the pass which is also the frontier between Austria and Italy, Tirol being on both sides. Already 5000 years ago the neolithic farmers and shepherds from the South Tyrolean Schnalstal were passing with their sheep over the glaciers for the Summer to the more spacious and richer pastures at the Oetztal side. So the Oetzi 5600 years ago was not a lonely tourist but part of the economic and agricultural activities in this area with far reaching connections. Unfortunately I did not find the time to meet him and to admire his belongings in the Museum in Bozen/Bolzano. But I come back.

"The southern end"

At the pass some ruins of now ridiculous quasi-military installations remind that this so peaceful and now not noticeable and very young (1919) frontier had a not so pleasant history until to the late1960-ies.Now it is so insignificant as under all the other 5500 years. At the southern side the slopes do not allow such a generous road, it is narrow with lots of hairpin turns but easy to drive. And this steep descent makes it possible that incredibly fast nice forests, small but prosperous villages and later apple plantations and wineyards are reached. And from there it is only minutes to the centre of the health resort city Meran which shows lot of old Habsburg glamour mixed with Italian elements.And here are the Palms and the woinderful Gilf promenade with its impressive collection of mediterranean and exotic plants in an excellent microclimatic habitat.