Kaiserwinkl’s Moor Adventure: A Guided Tour Through the Mysterious Schwemm

The Schwemm, located in the municipality of Walchsee, is the largest preserved moorland landscape in North Tyrol and a hotspot for biodiversity. The moorland area in Kaiserwinkl is situated at about 665 meters and is framed by the mountain ranges of the Kaisergebirge to the south and the Chiemgau Alps to the north. Due to its ecological importance, the Schwemm has been designated a Natura 2000 area and is strictly protected as a nature reserve.

Out and About with the Moor Expert

Due to its protected status, it is, of course, forbidden to enter the moorland in Kaiserwinkl on your own. There are paths that lead around the moor. However, those who want to learn more about this unique natural area can discover the terrain with a moor expert in the summer. Every Sunday, guests in the Kaiserwinkl region have the opportunity to embark on a truly exciting journey of discovery. We took advantage of the offer, and it was unique, thrilling, and diverse.

From Walchsee, we walked for about 30 minutes to the meeting point at a car park right by the moor. There is an observation tower here, which was unfortunately closed for structural reasons during our visit. Only the ground-level area was accessible, and our guide was already waiting for us there. Various plants were laid out on a large table, along with information cards about the flora and fauna and a suitable fact book with detailed information for each guest.

But before we turned our attention to the present-day conditions, we took a giant leap back in time to the end of the last Ice Age.

How Did the Schwemm Form?

The formation of the Schwemm dates back to the last Ice Age. As the Earth’s temperature warmed, the alpine glaciers began to retreat. The resulting water collected in a basin between two terminal moraine ridges, and a lake was formed. This lake was originally connected to the present-day Walchsee.

Over time, however, sediment deposits from the Ramsbach stream separated the lake from Walchsee, forming its own stagnant body of water. That was the point at which the moor slowly began to develop.

Gradually, the lake silted up. It only received new water from precipitation in the region. Since there is a clay-rich subsoil beneath the basin, the water could not drain away. The silting lake basin offered ideal conditions for the growth of peat mosses and other bog-forming plants. Over millennia, organic matter accumulated and formed thick layers of peat, which act as a significant carbon sink and thus play an important role in climate protection.

Today, the Schwemm is characterized by a central raised bog core, which is surrounded by a ring-shaped transitional mire. On the outer edges, these transition into wet meadows, some of which are still traditionally used for harvesting agricultural litter.

An Oasis for Rare Flora and Fauna

Now that we knew how the Schwemm had formed, we focused on the current animal and plant life. This is extraordinarily diverse, as the entire area consists of many smaller microhabitats. For example, the living conditions in the raised bog area are completely different from those in the purple moor grass meadows with their lime-rich soil. The animal and plant life has adapted to these different conditions.

The Flora: Botanical Treasures

The Schwemm is a botanical treasure chest and a final refuge for an impressive number of rare and endangered plant species. Among the botanical highlights are relics from the Ice Age and rare plants specialized in nutrient-poor, acidic soils.

One of the most significant species is the fen orchid (Liparis loeselii), which is protected throughout Europe and is critically endangered in Tyrol. You can also find various types of peat moss, some medicinal herbs, birch trees, and diverse shrubs and grasses.

However, another plant impressed me much more. Several species of carnivorous plants grow here. These include the round-leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolia), the great sundew (Drosera longifolia), and the oblong-leaved sundew (Drosera intermedia), which catch small insects with their sticky tentacles.

The Fauna: From the Dwarf Damselfly to the Common Viper

The fauna of the Schwemm is just as diverse and worthy of protection as its flora. The area is a paradise for amphibians like the alpine newt and the common frog. To protect them, amphibian fences are erected along the adjacent roads in the spring.

The Schwemm is a dragonfly hotspot with over 33 documented species, including endangered species specialized in raised bogs. Examples include the subarctic darner (Aeshna subarctica) and the yellow-winged darter (Sympetrum flaveolum). A particular sensation is the discovery of a remarkably large population of the scarce dwarf damselfly (Nehalennia speciosa), the smallest dragonfly in Europe.

The Schwemm is also an important breeding and resting area for numerous bird species. With a bit of luck, birdwatchers can spot the reed warbler, the common snipe, or the meadow pipit here. The area, with its diversity of flowers, is also a valuable habitat for butterflies.

n the areas with a bit more water, you can find water scorpions, diving bell spiders, common European vipers, and leeches.

Into the Moor

After theory came practice. It was time to take off shoes and socks, and then we walked single file behind the expert a few meters into the moorland of Kaiserwinkl.

Walking barefoot on uneven ground is already a challenge for many people. I also found it difficult not to be able to see exactly where I was stepping and to gauge the firmness of the ground beforehand. So, I was quite surprised when water suddenly rose between my toes or my foot sank a few centimeters. For the children in the group, it was great fun. One boy jumped up and down with excitement, which caused the ground under my feet to wobble. In another spot, a child “had” to test how deep one could sink and quickly found himself up to his thigh in mud.

However, the real focus was on the flora and fauna. We were shown some of the previously discussed plants and talked about the structure of the moor.

In a small pool of water, we observed frogs, dragonflies laying eggs, tadpoles, and a common European viper. Then it was time for a “gentle hunt.” Equipped with small nets, those who wanted to could, under supervision, search for inhabitants of the moor waters like newts, frogs, or water beetles. The captured animals were first placed in a water-filled bucket and could then be admired in observation jars. Finally, they were carefully released back into their habitat.

I was very impressed by the moor experience. Here, I learned once again how important it is to experience nature with alert senses. It also became very clear to me that we must preserve not just this incredibly species-rich habitat. It’s wonderful when holiday regions also pay attention to this and allow tourists to experience it.

No time for a guided tour? A newly created circular trail, about 6.5 kilometers long and classified as easy, leads around the entire moorland area. It is suitable for both hikers and cyclists and offers insights into this unique landscape. Along the way, information boards explain the special features of the flora and fauna.

I would like to emphasize this point again: It is forbidden to enter the Kaiserwinkl moorland on your own! Please protect the unique area of the Schwemm and only enter it as part of a guided tour. So please, take them up on their offer!

The visit was part of a presstrip.