Kalkalpen National Park
Wild and rich in species - on an area of 209 km2, the Kalkalpen National Park protects the largest contiguous forest area in Austria. 75% of the area is wilderness - that is unique in Austria.
Reichraminger Hintergebirge
The Reichraminger Hintergebirge is one of the largest closed forest areas in Austria - a sea of forest that has not yet been cut by public transport routes and settlements. Here we also find one of the longest intact stream systems in the Eastern Alps. Old Klausen and dilapidated Triftsteige still remind us of the use of wood in earlier times.
Sengsengebirge
The Sengsengebirge is a northern outpost of the Alpine Limestone Alps. The approximately 20 km long main ridge reaches its highest point with the Hohen Nock (1,963m). The name Sengsengebirge is derived from the use of the forests as an energy source for the scythe smiths that used to be very numerous here.
The only natural world heritage site in Austria
Beech forests only exist in Europe. After the Ice Age, the beech spread over large parts of Europe and thus shaped the appearance of an entire continent in a way that is unique in the world. The variety of forest types and beech forest inhabitants is as diverse as the locations: more than 10,000 animal, plant and fungal species find their habitat here. Today, the natural beech forests of Europe have been reduced to just a few areas, making their protection all the more important.
The old, natural beech forests in the Kalkalpen National Park and the primeval beech forests in the Dürrenstein-Lassingtal wilderness area represent the beech distribution area of the Alps and are of outstanding global importance. In 2017 they were the first and so far the only one to be recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Austria. This made it part of the largest serial World Heritage site, which currently includes 18 European countries.
Information about Austria's natural world heritage site: www.weltnaturerbe-buchenwaelder.at
Key data on the Kalkalpen National Park:
Established: July 25th, 1997
Size: 20,850 hectares
Zoning: 89% natural zone, 11% conservation zone
Internationally recognized as:
- National Park (IUCN Category II) since 1998
- Ramsar Protected Area (Wetland of World Importance) since 2004
- Natura 2000 area (European protected area)
- UNESCO World Heritage "Old Beech Forests" on 5,250 hectares since 2017
Altitude: 385 to 1,963 meters (Hohe Nock).
National Park Visitor Program
In the Kalkalpen National Park there is something going on all year round! Observe wild animals in their habitat, discover the magic of the last forest wilderness or climb summits with promising views on old paths - a diverse visitor program awaits you in every season.
With the national park ranger you hike through the wilderness, discover tracks in the snow and get to know the diversity of species in the national park.
This is where your national park adventure begins
