Forests, including both deciduous and coniferous forests (pure spruce plantations are avoided), are the main land habitat.
Less common are forest edges, brownfield land, or gardens.
Populations can be found above tree line in the high mountains, where they prefer south-exposed slopes.
The newts use logs, stones, leaf litter, burrows, construction waste or similar structures as hiding places.

Aquatic breeding sites close to adequate land habitat are critical.
While small, cool water bodies in forested areas are preferred, alpine newts tolerate a wide range of permanent or non-permanent, natural or human-made water bodies.
These can range from shallow puddles over small ponds to larger, fish-free lakes or reservoirs and quiet parts of streams.
Damming by beavers creates suitable breeding sites.
Overall, the alpine newt is tolerant regarding chemical parameters such as pH, water hardness and eutrophication.
Other European newts such as the crested, smooth, palmate or Carpathian newt often use the same breeding sites, but are less common at higher elevation.
Forests, including both deciduous and coniferous forests (pure spruce plantations are avoided), are the main land habitat. Less common are forest edges, brownfield land, or gardens. Populations can be found above tree line in the high mountains, where they prefer south-exposed slopes. The newts use logs, stones, leaf litter, burrows, construction waste or similar structures as hiding places.
Aquatic breeding sites close to adequate land habitat are critical. While small, cool water bodies in forested areas are preferred, alpine newts tolerate a wide range of permanent or non-permanent, natural or human-made water bodies. These can range from shallow puddles over small ponds to larger, fish-free lakes or reservoirs and quiet parts of streams. Damming by beavers creates suitable breeding sites. Overall, the alpine newt is tolerant regarding chemical parameters such as pH, water hardness and eutrophication. Other European newts such as the crested, smooth, palmate or Carpathian newt often use the same breeding sites, but are less common at higher elevation.
Alpine newt