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La zone de repos, établie en 1981 et d’une superficie de 394,7 km2, se distingue par son caractère sauvage et son état de préservation. Les zones peuplées d’Obergurgl et de Vent et les domaines skiables autour d’Obergurgl, Rettenbachjoch, Riffelsee et le glacier Mittelbergferner n’en font pas partie.
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Most of the trail passes through the Ötztal Alps Nature Park, which stretches out from the Wurmkogel and Hochfrist in the East to the Weißkugel in the West, and from Zwieselstein and Mittelberg to the North. The rest area, established in 1981 and spanning 394.7 km2, stands out for its wildness and unspoiled state. The populated areas of Obergurgl and Vent and the ski resorts around Obergurgl, Rettenbachjoch, Riffelsee and at the Mittelbergferner glacier are not included. A number of peaks tower above 3,500m, including the Wildspitze, the Weißkugel and the Similaun, the highest peaks in the Ötztal Alps. Owing to the altitude, the vegetation of the rest area mainly comprises alpine grass heath, debris and rock vegetation. In lower lying areas, there are also dwarf shrub heaths, on steep slopes dwarf mountain pine and in gullies mainly alders. At Zwieselstein and in the Gurgltal and Ventertal valleys, you can also see wooded slopes on the sub-alpine level with larch/cembran pine woodland. The designated “rest area” of the Ötztal Alps and the UNESCO “Gurgler Kamm” biosphere reserve are among the most studied areas in the Alps. An ecological research centre belonging to the University of Innsbruck is situated in Obergurgl. It has been conducting intensive research into the high-alpine ecosystem for decades (www.obergurgl.uibk.ac.at). Numerous publications provide interesting information on all aspects of life in high mountain regions. Many of the organisms in the Ötztal Alps show characteristic adjustments to the extreme conditions, e.g. multi-annual development cycles with optimal use of the short growing season. Numerous lakes and ponds have formed in the silicate-rich stone, and area sealed off either by mighty moraine embankments or through outcropping stone. As only relatively few minerals or salts can be released from the silicate, these lakes show very low conductivity and a low basic balance. That is why the lakes react in a particularly sensitive manner to environmental influences such as acid rain. The University of Innsbruck is investigating such influences at several of these lakes, and they above all become evident after the snow melts and the substances stored in the snow very quickly make their way into the water. Zwieselstein is situated approx. 3km from Sölden, the main town in the Ötztal valley. While Sölden is principally known for its winter tourism, Zwieselstein has remained a peaceful little place with a village character, not least of al
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