National Parks

Austria has six national parks, reflecting the diversity of landscapes — from high mountains to floodplain forests to steppe.

Hohe Tauern National Park

With 1,856 km² the largest national park in the Alps and one of the largest in Europe. Includes the Großglockner, the Großvenediger, and over 300 peaks over 3,000 m. 342 glaciers, 551 mountain lakes, countless waterfalls — including the Krimml Waterfalls (380 m drop, the highest in Europe). Golden eagles, bearded vultures (reintroduced!), chamois, ibex, and marmots are native here. Hikes of all difficulty levels, glacier tours for the experienced.

Gesäuse National Park

The "wildest" national park in Austria: The Enns breaks through the Northern Limestone Alps in a dramatic gorge here. Steep rock walls, roaring rapids, alpine primeval forests. Less developed than other parks, but offering more solitary hikes. White-water rafting on the Enns is a highlight. The Admont Abbey Museum (at the entrance to the Gesäuse) houses the largest monastic library in the world — a baroque book hall that takes your breath away.

Neusiedler See – Seewinkel National Park

Completely different: Steppe, salt lakes (Lacken), and reed belts. One of Europe's most important bird sanctuaries — over 340 bird species have been recorded here, including spoonbills, avocets, and white-tailed eagles. A paradise for ornithologists. The observation stations at Illmitz and Apetlon offer guided tours.

Other National Parks

• Kalkalpen National Park (Upper Austria) — the largest contiguous forest area in the Eastern Alps, ancient beech forests (UNESCO World Heritage), lynxes, and Ural owls
• Thayatal National Park (Lower Austria) — on the Czech border, a deeply incised river valley with one of Austria's last wildcat populations
• Donau-Auen National Park (Vienna/Lower Austria) — the last large floodplain forests in Central Europe right at Vienna's doorstep. Glide through the old arms of the Danube by inflatable boat, observe white-tailed eagles, kingfishers, and beavers