Great mountains, strong emotions
The Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park in southwestern Lower Austria enchants with a spectacular journey through time. In the very south of the Mostviertel region, the mighty peak of the 1,893-meter-high Ötscher points the way. It is the landmark of the region and a highlight in the nature park. Not the only one, because here visitors can immerse themselves in the fascinating world of the Austrian "Grand Canyon": The Ötschergräben with its dark forests, mysterious caves, waterfalls, old stories about lumberjacks and rustic snack stations. You can travel there and back comfortably from St. Pölten on the Mariazell train. The Hohe Wand Nature Park also offers majestic natural spectacles. The Hohe Wand is a plateau mountain about 1,000 meters high in the south of Lower Austria and in the immediate vicinity of the peaks of Schneeberg and Rax. The sun-exposed steep rocky slopes are just as typical as the many caves and, of course, the extraordinary views of the surrounding landscape of the Vienna Alpine arc. On a clear day, the Skywalk viewing terrace offers a far-reaching view all the way to Lake Neusiedl. The 2,000-hectare nature park is an ideal area for hiking as well as excursions with llamas and alpacas.

Visit elks and wolves, owls and eagles
To the right and left of the Danube, between Vienna and Bratislava, the last large floodplain landscape in Central Europe spreads out over 9,600 hectares in the Danube Floodplain National Park. Along the free-flowing Danube, many endangered animals such as the dogfish, kingfisher, white-tailed eagle and owls have found a natural habitat. Visitors can gently approach rare plants and animals on guided hikes, canoe or inflatable boat tours. The fact that the relatively small Thayatal National Park, due to its location in the very north of Lower Austria, received little attention for decades, gives it an extraordinary authenticity today. The wildly romantic valley landscape accompanies the river Thaya for 25 winding kilometers. The originality of this national park, the smallest in Austria at 13 km², is also evidenced by the fact that elk and wildcats are once again on the move here and that around half of all the plant species found in Austria are native to this area. There is plenty of room for excursions and nature experiences in the 4,000-hectare Leiser Berge Nature Park in the Weinviertel. In the Ernstbrunn Wildlife Park, you will encounter many animals, including wolves, about which you can learn more in the Wolf Science Center. The lookout station on Oberleiser Berg with an open-air museum, the Weinviertel trolley and the lowest Alpine Club hut in Austria on Buschberg are further highlights.