naturally
extraordinary

Bird flight in the Neusiedler See - Seewinkel National Park.
(c)Sebastian Freiler
People hiking at a rock in the mountains
(c)M. Steinthaler

Providing time and space
for nature

A warm welcome

From the steppe lake to high mountains, from forest wilderness to floodplains, from raging rivers to gentle valleys: as internationally recognised protected areas, the six Austrian National Parks safeguard landscapes of wild beauty and rich biodiversity – making sure that the natural wonders are still here for us to encounter tomorrow.

A river with trees in the fog
(c)D. Manhart
A big cliff and many stones
(c)Sebastian Hoehn

Bildinformation mit Link

A river with trees and mountains
(c)Andreas Hollinger

Bildinformation mit Link

A deer by the river
(c)Kovacs
Lots of trees in the forest
(c)Erich Mayrhofer

Bildinformation mit Link

A lake with plants in the water
(c)AL Archiv NP Neusiedler See
Mountains and forest
(c)Sieghartsleitner
A brook in the mountains
(c)Erich Mayrhofer

Kalkalpen National Park

The Sea of Trees and Moated Castle: Austria’s largest forest wilderness in the highly karstified Sengsen and rugged Reichraminger Hintergebirge mountains.

A brook in the mountains
(c)Erich Mayrhofer

The Great Canyon

Located in the Reichraminger Hintergebirge mountain range, it only came into being thanks to the persistence of water: its “canyon bends” were shaped by the Große Bach in the dolimite rock over thousands of years.

A lake in the mountains and many trees and meadow
(c)Sieghartsleitner

Feichtaualm and Feichtau Seen

At the feet of the Hoher Nock lies the idyllic Feichtau mountain pasture, with its crystal-clear lakes.

On a bridge in the national park are visitors and look at information
(c)NPK

Hengstpass Alpine Pastures

Surrounded by the peaks of Wasserklotz, Kampermauer, Hexenturm and Pyhrgas, the Hengstpass mountain pastures are situated in the south of the National Park. You can clearly see the transition from mountains to cultivated landscape here, resulting in rich biodiversity.

Lots of trees in the forest
(c)Zsolt Kudich
(c)Kern

Donau-Auen National Park

A green wilderness on a great river: between the European metropolises of Vienna and Bratislava, the Danube still flows freely and is a lifeline to many and a dynamic creative force, forming an abundance of habitats.

A castle to visit
(c)Kern

Schlossinsel

As part of the schlossOrth National Park Centre, the “Schlossinsel” floodplain adventure site is a place of authentic encounter with animals, plants and habitats in the region. In addition to native species of snakes and amphibians, ground squirrels, wild bees, beetles, dragonflies and butterflies, European pool terrapins can also be spotted. Young visitors should have a great time playing on the suspension bridge, exploring the wooden bridge trail and bird’s nest.

(c)Kern

Orther Auen

The Orth wetlands are a particularly dynamic habitat. Where two tributaries connect with the River Danube, the landscape is constantly changing and creates the ideal conditions for amphibians, reptiles, fish, birds and water-based insects. Bodies of water in the Orth islands have also become inviting wild bathing sites and the basis for natural forests and unspoilt primeval forests.

A view of the river
(c)Kovacs

View from Braunsberg

A magnificent 360° panorama over the floodplain and Marchfeld opens up the high plateau of Braunsberg. The view can reach as far as Bratislava in Slovakia.

River and forest from above
(c)Grühbaum
Sunrise over the river
(c)Popp Hackner

Thayatal National Park

Green Canyon of the Wild Cats: In conjunction with Národni Park Podyjí, the Thaya Valley National Park protects one of the finest and most biodiverse valley landscapes in all of Europe. With its forest wilderness and idyllic river landscape, this gem in the High North provides a habitat to animals such as the European wildcat, which seemed to have disappeared from Austria a long time ago.

River and forest from above
(c)bild-it

Überstieg

The landscape-shaping force and life-giving energy of the Thaya becomes impressively tangible at the Überstieg viewing point.

The town of Hardegg from above.
(c)Claudia Ebner

Hennerweg

The 1.8 km long circular trail is perfectly suited for going on a comfortable hike around the National Park and is very popular for families.

river
(c)M. Graf

Kajabachtal

The cool, wild, romantic Kajabachtal valley allows for diverse encounters with the flora and fauna in the protected area.

Meadow with blooming flowers and water
(c)Rupert Kogler
Three boats with people on the lake
(c)Sebastian Freiler

Neusiedler See - Seewinkel National Park

So far. So good. Located at the edge of the Alps and western fringe of the Pannonian lowlands, the National Park protects a biological border region of rich biodiversity. For thousands and thousands of migratory birds, the only steppe national park in Austria means one thing above all else: an essential stop off between their winter habitat and breeding ground.

Observation tower
(c)Sebastian Freiler

Observation Tower at Sandeck

The reconstructed watchtower at Illmitzer Sandeck provides a view over the mighty reed belt of the National Park nature zone.

A lake with plants in the water
(c)AL Archiv NP Neusiedler See

From the Lake Dam to the Stinkersee Lakes

With the large salt ponds of the Upper and Lower Stinkersee, it includes a particularly gentle landscape with various opportunities for bird watching.

Birds in a meadow
(c)Archiv NPNSS Klaus Schneider

Great Bustards’ Courtship Display in Waasen-Hanság

A real highlight for bird watchers. It takes place from the beginning of April until the middle of May and can be observed very clearly from the heights on the Andau and Tadten side.

Whitewater with rocks and trees
(c)Stefan Leitner
Mountains in the sunshine
(c)Andreas Hollinger

Gesäuse National Park

Steep Cliffs and Wild Water: Dominated by the uninhibited, raging Enns River and the limestone mountains of the Reichenstein, Buchstein and Hochtor Group, the Gesäuse National Park conceals an inaccessible landscape and a special wealth of species of endemic plants, insects and arachnids. This is how the protected area truly nurtures the unique treasures of our natural heritage.

mountain
(c)Johannes Poetscher

Planspitze

This mountain of extremes is a stark reflection of the variety and contrast of the Gesäuse’s character: hostile and yet popular, forbidding yet approachable, immoveable and fragile.

Two people are walking up a hiking trail in the forest
(c)Max Mauthner

Theme Trail „Wilder John“

Invites visitors to walk along the renaturalised Johnsbach creek. This legend is one fascinating story. The history of “setting the wild river free” is made into an adventure for the whole family to enjoy.

River and mountain at night
(c)Andreas Hollinger

Gesäuse Photography School

Impressive starlit skies, numerous species of orchid and rugged natural beauty make the Gesäuse a hotspot for nature photography.

A stream with stones in the mountains
(c)Tobias Kaser
A big cliff and many stones
(c)Sebastian Hoehn

Nationalpark Hohe Tauern

Magnificent Alpine Nature at its Finest: From the valleys to the summit regions of the mighty 3000 metre peaks, the oldest and largest protected area in Austria preserves habitats of rich biodiversity. With 342 glaciers, the internationally recognised wilderness area of the Sulzbach valleys and traditional cultivated landscapes, the High Mountains National Park is an area filled with a special kind of nature as well as research and adventure.

People hiking at a rock in the mountains
(c)M. Steinthaler

Geotrail Heiligenblut

In addition to sinkholes, shafts, caves, atypical karst formations and the famous Tauern Window, the tour also provides amazing views over the range of peaks.

A sign with information for hikers
(c)NPHT Rieder

Theme trail Rauriser Urwald

The Rauris primeval forest is a very special natural gem with fenland ponds, old spiky spruces, fallen trees and clearings you would expect to find in a fairytale.

glacier
© Sebastian Höhn Photography

Innergschlöss Glacier Trail

Takes you on a journey into the “eternal ice” of the core zone. On the tour to the Schlatenkees glacier (at the foot of the Grossvenediger), visitors will find out about the landscape-forming force of the glaciers and the consequences of climate change.

Providing a space for
Education and Research

Experience the wonders of nature with added value

National parks are not just areas where wildlife is protected and visitors can experience adventure, but they can also be research laboratories and hotspots for nature-based learning. Whether it be long-term monitoring, wildcat surveys, greylag goose watching or educational projects under the banner of climate protection: our national parks establish facts, impart valuable knowledge and invoke a passion for nature.

Supported by the Federal Government and the European Union.

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Our National Parks

Our parks are diverse, just like nature itself: profiles of the six National Parks in Austria

Our National Park Rangers

Employed in the service of nature: our National Park rangers are fervent ambassadors of nature and species conservation.

Scholarships & National Park Commitment

As a source of inspiration, research area and contact point for voluntary commitment, the Austrian National Parks establish various options to experience nature.

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