The southern side of the Lukmanier pass is distinguished by its extremely varied landscape. The forests with their mountain pines, larches and Swiss stone pines, extensive meadows and mires are particularly characteristic features of this landscape. The attractive hiking area is further enhanced by numerous lakes.

The Lukmanier pass and the Val Piora are renowned for their rich flora. The variety is due to the different types of stone there, i.e. crystalline stone alternates with calcareous dolomites.

Biologists have long been fascinated by the Piora area and scientists have established an Alpine Biology Centre in two disused Alpine buildings. The centre is used for research and training purposes.

In recent times, however, attention has mainly been focused on geology. The ca. 1500-metre-deep Piora Basin posed quite a few headaches for the engineers working on the Gotthard Base Tunnel.