Our hut is located within an important European security zone that aims to create an ecological network of areas for the conservation of biological diversity (“Rete Natura 2000”). The Special Protection Area (SPA) “Valle Formazza” covers an area of more than 22,000 hectares with the conservation objectives of bird wildlife and its natural habitat. The Site of European Importance (SEI) “Maria Luisa”, of almost 6000 hectares, was created to protect the natural habitats and the animal and plant species of particular interest for biodiversity. The territory around the hut offers the opportunity to learn about different environments rich of features: geology, flora and vegetation, fauna, anthropological.
The presence of chalk and limestone in the area between S. Giacomo pass, the Toggia lake and the lake Kastel, is made evident outcropping of the “Rock Chalk” that encloses in the north the Boden lakes. Also beautiful from a landscape point of view, occupy two large sinkholes and are fed by groundwater.
The limestone soil allows the development of extremely beautiful and rare flower species, such as the Edelweiss (Stella Alpina), the blue-green Saxifrage, the blue Vedovella, and even the flashy Astro Alpine, the tiny Saxifrage from opposite leaves. And an endemic species: the Saponaria lutea.
Moving towards the alp Ghighel meets a wetland, a real bog, characterized by other species very particular how the Cotton grass (Eriofori), the beautiful white plumes that stand out conspicuously among the dark green; the Primula powdery, deep pink; the Bavarian Gentian, and Pinguicola, insectivorous seedling that captures invertebrates through sticky leaves.
There is no need to stray far from the hut to cross the green pastures and observe these small jewels that nature has to offer!