Swiss stone pine region. Hall-Wattens
The stone pine is a characteristic and striking tree species in the high-altitude areas of our alpine natural landscape. One of the largest Swiss stone pine stands in Europe can be found in the Hall-Wattens vacation region, namely on the Glungezer. The ubiquitous Swiss stone pine is rightly called the Queen of the Alps and is on average 200 to 400 years old. However, isolated discoveries and estimates suggest that solitary stone pines can live up to 1,000 years or more. This is proven by a special specimen in our region. The oldest tree in Tyrol is located not far from the famous stone pine path. Almost 90 years ago, this stone pine was declared a natural monument in 1926.
It has long been known that Swiss stone pine wood has very special properties: Perhaps it is the aromatic oils and balsams stored in the wood that help people sleep much better in Swiss stone pine beds, saving the heart 3,500 beats a day. It is more resistant to bacteria and fungi than almost any other wood, and even the dreaded woodworm gives the wood, which thrives particularly well in alpine locations, a wide berth.
Swiss stone pine wood has a pleasant fragrance, is tough and very durable. For precisely these reasons, it was and is an indispensable part of everyday life for people in the Alpine region. People have been using Swiss stone pine wood in their homes since time immemorial, and you can still admire wonderful Swiss stone pine parlors and furniture in many Tyrolean houses today. The current trend for smaller stone pine products is diverse and unbroken. They range from stone pine cubes to stone pine ball carafes and stone pine cushions, which can be purchased at the Hall tourist office as souvenirs or mementos. Of course, the traditional Swiss stone pine schnapps should not go unmentioned at this point. It is made from the juicy pine cones. Its resinous, woody aroma has a stimulating and calming effect. In the Middle Ages, the cones were considered a symbol of fertility and immortality.
To express the importance of the stone pine, it was named "Tree of the Year " in 2011, the International Year of Forests.
In the Hall-Wattens vacation region, a wide variety of offers are dedicated to the Swiss stone pine: The Kugelwald mountain adventure world on the Glungezer has been easily accessible to all visitors since 2019 thanks to the new panorama gondola. There, children and adults can play with Swiss stone pine balls to their heart's content.
The Stone Pine Days on the Glungezer take place every year in July. On four varied theme days, everything revolves around the Swiss stone pine. Visitors can expect natural history tours, workshops, lectures in the forest, demonstrations by stone pine wood carvers and music.
Hikers and nature lovers are magically drawn to the trees: the stone pine trail is internationally renowned and is particularly popular in spring when the alpine roses are in bloom. The Hall-Wattens region tourism association offers further offers for a trip into the realm of the stone pine with the "Nature Gourmet Journey" with 2 nights' accommodation, the "Crystal Hiking Week" with 7 nights' accommodation and the "Hiking without luggage" package.
