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© Photo: Kalkalpen National Park/Sonvilla Graf OG: Lynx
Lynx in the Limestone Alps National Park
Lynx in the Limestone Alps National Park

Frequently asked questions about the Kalkalpen National Park

9 facts about the Kalkalpen National Park

Exciting facts about the Kalkalpen National Park and its many facets. This national park is a true marvel of nature. Read all kinds of interesting facts about this unique natural spectacle in the Kalkalpen National Park FAQ.


Dive into the sea of forest

Whether it's an idyllic hike, an authentic alpine pasture experience, a challenging mountain bike tour or a guided expedition with rangers.

A visit to Austria's last forest wilderness is always an intense experience.

The Kalkalpen National Park comprises the Sengsengebirge and the Reichraminger Hintergebirge in the Upper Austrian Pre-Alps.

Around 21,000 hectares - 89 % of which is a nature zone and 11 % a conservation zone

The Kalkalpen National Park is home to 55 mammal species, including 17 bat species, 80 breeding bird species, including rare forest bird species such as the white-backed woodpecker, great horned owl and lesser spotted flycatcher. The national park is also home to a large number of beetle species, including 41 primeval forest relict species such as the alpine longhorn beetle and the greater longhorn beetle, 1,560 butterfly species and relict species such as the golden eagle, otter and lynx. The occurrence of a cave ground beetle species in the Sengsen Mountains is unique in the world.

Permanent lynx populations in Austria are currently limited to the Kalkalpen National Park in Upper Austria and from the Bohemian Forest in the Mühlviertel in Upper Austria to the Waldviertel in Lower Austria. There are currently 6 confirmed lynx in the national park.

 

Austria's first UNESCO World Heritage Site - including 5,250 hectares of ancient beech forests in the Kalkalpen National Park and 1,965 hectares in the Dürrenstein Wilderness Area

There are 37 managed huts and mountain pastures in the Kalkalpen National Park area

To date, 927 plant species have been recorded in the Kalkalpen National Park, many of which are on the Red List of Species of Special Concern. Special features include 42 different wild orchids such as the yellow lady's slipper, the largest and best-known species, the Clusius primrose, the narrow-leaved forest bird's-foot trefoil and the Turk's cap lily.

Austria's largest forest wilderness; largest beech forest reserve in the Alps; 30 forest communities, primeval forest areas; oldest beech tree in the Alps (550 years old); longest natural stream system in the northern Limestone Alps - over 800 springs