The national park between Vienna and Bratislava starts right next to the Prater Park in Vienna and continues to the border with Slovakia (where the wonderful Devin Castle is located). The park, called Nationalpark Donau-Auen, is actually an area of wetlands and lakes that are formed each season as a result of parts of it flooding when the Danube River overflows its banks after heavy rains. In fact, it is the largest park in Central Europe that is still partially flooded when the Danube overflows.
If you are planning to cycle from Vienna to Bratislava (highly recommended), you can enjoy the park along your cycling route.
The park contains several interesting historical sites such as the ancient Roman city of Carnuntum and the Eckartsau estate, as well as marked and well-maintained hiking trails and places where swimming or boating is permitted.
Throughout the park, there are about 30 species of mammals, 100 species of birds, 50 species of fish, reptiles, and amphibians. Among the interesting animals in this park are pond turtles, white-tailed eagles, beavers, and more.
Watch some of the park and its wildlife:
The main visitor center of the park is located about 30 kilometers from the center of Vienna, in a small village called Orth an der Donau. The visitor center is located in an ancient and impressive building and serves as a nature museum with interactive exhibits, especially for children. The various displays teach about the animals and vegetation in the park.
In addition, there is a separate visitor center for the part of the park that is within the city limits of Vienna. This visitor center is located in the 22nd district of Vienna in an area called Lobau. The visitor center has a multimedia presentation about the nature in the park and also a fun playground for children.
Recommended Activities in Donau-Auen National Park:
Boating in the Danube Channels
You can rent a paddleboat and float down the river. During the boat trip, you can be impressed by the diverse vegetation and see the animals that are in the park.
Reservations must be made in advance. Contact email: schlossorth@donauauen.at. Phone: 00432212/3555
Recommended Hiking Trails
The well-maintained hiking trails and comprehensive signage throughout the park make it a great place for day hikes. There is a wide variety of trails in the different parts of the park. You can read here about a recommended trail area that is even within the boundaries of Vienna:
Lobau Area
This part of the park is within the city limits of Vienna, so it can be reached quickly and easily from the city center. In this area, there are 3 recommended hiking trails:
The Orange Trail: Upper Lobau
A 5-kilometer trail that takes between two and three hours. The hiking trail starts from the visitor center in Lobau and can be reached by city bus line number 92B (get off at the Raffineriestrasse/Biberhaufenweg stop).
Along the trail, you can see the Dechantlacke, an ancient natural swimming pond, or get a view of the entire area from the Tischwasser observation post. The sharp-eyed will be able to spot the animals in the water pools or among the vegetation. You can see various animals such as water turtles or beavers.
The trail is circular, and at the end, you will return to the visitor center.
The Purple Trail: Panozzalacke
This trail is also 5 kilometers long, but it can be completed in about an hour and a half. To get to the starting point, take city bus line number 92B and get off at the Lobgrundstrasse stop. At the beginning of the trail, you will pass by a bunker from World War II, and from there you will continue along the paths among the forest trees. Along the trail, you can see natural water pools and vast grassy meadows. In the autumn, you can sometimes see deer or rabbits running around in the open spaces.
The trail is circular, and at the end, you will return to the point where you started.
The Blue Trail: Napoleon’s Way
This trail is the longest in the area, with a length of 10 kilometers. You should plan about 4 hours for walking this trail. Along this route, there are several stations related to Napoleon’s army, which fought in this area when it defeated the army of the Holy Roman Empire at the beginning of the 19th century. The trail passes by a place where there was an ancient French cemetery and Napoleon’s gunpowder house. At the end of the trail, you will return to the station from which you started.
The trail starts from the same point as the purple trail. Take city bus line number 92B and get off at the Lobgrundstrasse stop.
You can read here for information on other trails throughout the park.
Essential Information for Visiting the National Park Between Vienna and Bratislava
You can enter the park free of charge and walk around. Pay attention to the signs and instructions, as there may be a risk of flooding in this area during certain periods. You can, of course, walk in the park and ride bicycles freely. If you are interested in a guided tour, you can arrange it directly with the park staff.
For those who want to learn more about the history of the park and the animals that live there, you can visit the park’s visitor center and experience its exhibition. On weekends, it is possible to join a guided tour at the visitor center (the tour is in German).
Address of the main visitor center, schlossORTH National Park Centre: A-2304 Orth/Donau
Operating hours of the main visitor center:
- March 21 – September 30: Every day from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- October 1 – November 1: Every day from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- November 2 – March 20: Closed
Address of the visitor center in Lobau, nationalparkhaus wien-lobAU: 1220 Vienna, Dechantweg 8
Operating hours: March 7 to October 28: Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
How to get to the two Donau-Auen visitor centers by public transport from Vienna?
To get to the main visitor center of the park in Orth an der Donau, take bus line 391 operated by ÖBB Post Bus. The bus departs from the U2/Aspernstrasse station and stops at the Orth/Donau, Eckartsau Palace, and Schönau stations.
To get to the visitor center in Lobau in Vienna, take city bus line 92B from the Donaustadtbrücke subway station (U2, the purple line).
Map:
