KALKALPEN NATIONAL PARK

Feel the wilderness. Experience diversity.

KALKALPEN NATIONAL PARK

AUSTRIA'S FOREST NATIONAL PARK

The Kalkalpen National Park protects Austria's largest contiguous forest wilderness. It is the most important forest national park in the Alpine region. The protected area includes the Reichraminger Hintergebirge and the Sengsengebirge in the south-east of Upper Austria. Its varied and closely interwoven habitat mosaic, consisting of around 30 forest types, is the foundation of a high level of biodiversity. More than 10,000 species of animals, plants and fungi, including highly demanding primeval forest relict species, can be found in the various forests. By abandoning human use, dismantling infrastructure and removing obstacles to the free flow of natural processes since its establishment, the future prospects of high-ranking protected species in the 16,000-hectare, non-intervention natural zone have improved enormously.

Spring in the primeval beech forest
Spring in the primeval beech forest ©FranzSieghartsleitner

Back to the primeval forest

Like all forests in the Enns and Steyr valleys, the former forests in today's Kalkalpen National Park have been used since the early Middle Ages. The wood was turned into charcoal in charcoal kilns, as the numerous scythe, knife, hoe and hammer forges needed huge quantities of it. The original forests were thus wiped out except for small remnants. The remaining islands of primeval forest provide a habitat for highly endangered relict forest species, especially those that depend on lush dead and old wood and natural forest dynamics. 15,000 hectares of National Park Forest have been designated as a biotope protection forest in accordance with Section 32a of the Forestry Act. Since then, everything has changed. Only nature is allowed to reign unrestricted in the nature zone. The forest may be restored in a process lasting several centuries primeval forest .

Our natural heritage

The Kalkalpen National Park impresses with its wild forests, hidden gorges and panoramic mountain peaks. It is home to rare animal species. The ancient beech forests are recognized as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. Water is another valuable treasure. Over 800 springs feed the longest natural stream system in the Northern Limestone Alps.

Kalkalpen National Park

Vulnerable and valuable

Austria's forest wilderness

Facts and figures

Forest wilderness at Kalkalpen National Park with autumn-colored beech trees
Forest wilderness ©FranzSieghartsleitner
Mighty, autumn-colored beech trees stand on a mountainside
Primeval beech forest ©RolandMayr

UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site

OLD BEECH FORESTS AND PRIMEVAL BEECH FORESTS IN THE KALKALPEN NATIONAL PARK

With its valuable old forests and primeval beech forests, Kalkalpen National Park is the most important forest national park in the Alps. The older the forest, the richer its life. More than 10,000 species of animals, plants and fungi can be found in the various types of beech forest. With an area of 5,252 hectares, Kalkalpen National Park is not only the largest beech forest reserve in the Alps, but also the oldest beech tree with a proud age of over 550 years.

Spring-green beech trees accompany the banks of the free-flowing Krummen Steyrling
Crooked Steyrling ©AndreasMayr
Spring-green beech trees glow in the sunlight in front of the still snow-covered rocky northern precipices of the Sengsen Mountains
Spring in the National Park ©FranzSieghartsleitner
Primeval beech forest with mossy standing and lying deadwood
Primeval beech forest ©ErichMayrhofer
Aerial view of the canopy of an autumn-colored beech forest
Autumn forest ©E.C.O. Institute for Ecology
Autumnal beech forest with yellow - green - orange colored leaves, in the foreground standing dead wood with mushrooms
Buchenwald ©RolandMayr
Sunrise over wintry mountains in the Kalkalpen National Park region
Sunrise at the water block ©RomanKönigshofer
Mountain pines and larches protrude from a thick blanket of snow in the Sengen Mountains
Winter in Sengsengebirge ©Franz Sieghartsleitner
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