The Nagelfluhkette Nature Park (German: ''Naturpark Nagelfluhkette'') is a cross-border nature park between the

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) **Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ger ...

region of

Allgäu The Allgäu (Standard German: , also Allgovia) is a region in Swabia in southern Germany. It covers the south of Bavarian Swabia, southeastern Baden-Württemberg, and parts of Austria. The region stretches from the pre-alpine lands up to the A ...

and the

Austrian Austrian may refer to: * Austrians, someone from Austria or of Austrian descent ** Someone who is considered an Austrian citizen, see Austrian nationality law * Austrian German dialect * Something associated with the country Austria, for example: ...

state of

Vorarlberg Vorarlberg ( , ; gsw, label=Vorarlbergisch, Vorarlbearg, , or ) is the westernmost States of Austria, state () of Austria. It has the second-smallest geographical area after Vienna and, although it also has the second-smallest population, it is ...

. The nature park encompasses the area of the three

Nagelfluh Conglomerate () is a clastic sedimentary rock that is composed of a substantial fraction of rounded to subangular gravel-size clasts. A conglomerate typically contains a matrix of finer-grained sediments, such as sand, silt, or clay, which fill ...

chains of the Allgäu Nagelfluh ridges. It is the first cross-border nature park between Germany and Austria. The Nagelfluhkette was awarded the status of a nature park in 2008.

Geology

The nature park is named after the Nagelfluh conglomerate. The conglomerate consists of river pebbles that have been baked into a conglomerate. It looks like nails have been driven so deep into the rock that only their heads are sticking out.

Fauna and flora

The nature park is rich in flora and fauna. For example, it is home to the

black grouse The black grouse (''Lyrurus tetrix''), also known as northern black grouse, Eurasian black grouse, blackgame or blackcock, is a large game bird in the grouse family. It is a sedentary species, spanning across the Palearctic in moorland and step ...

, the imposing

golden eagle The golden eagle (''Aquila chrysaetos'') is a bird of prey living in the Northern Hemisphere. It is the most widely distributed species of eagle. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae. They are one of the best-known bird of p ...

, the rare Apollo butterfly and to a wide variety of

orchids Orchids are plants that belong to the family Orchidaceae (), a diverse and widespread group of flowering plants with blooms that are often colourful and fragrant. Along with the Asteraceae, they are one of the two largest families of flowering ...

and

gentians ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their most ...

Activities

The nature park centre AlpSeeHaus in Bühl/

Immenstadt Immenstadt im Allgäu () is a town in Oberallgäu, the southernmost district of Bavaria, Germany, in the German Alps. First mentioned in a 1275 administrative tract, it was granted town privileges in 1360, which makes it one of the oldest towns in ...

is a contact point for information and adventure offers all about the nature park. In winter, the mountains of the nature park are a destination for

snowshoe Snowshoes are specialized outdoor gear for walking over snow. Their large footprint spreads the user's weight out and allows them to travel largely on top of rather than through snow. Adjustable bindings attach them to appropriate winter footwe ...

hikers, tourers and nature lovers. In summer, the nature park is popular for hiking tours and guided themed hikes.

References

{{Reflist Regional parks Vorarlberg Nature parks in Germany Biosphere reserves of Austria Nature reserves in Austria

Geology

Fauna and flora

Activities

See also

References