At the heart of Gesäuse National Park lies a vast valley carved by the powerful Enns River—its name comes from the German word Gseis, meaning rushing flow. Towering peaks like Hochtor and Buchsteinstock surround the river, with dense forests at their base.
The park hosts incredible biodiversity, including around 900 plant species, 90 bird species, 45 mammals, 14 fish, 7 reptiles, 119 spider species, and more. In summer, visitors can hike the trails or enjoy rafting on the Enns River. In winter, snowshoe trekking reveals a stunning alpine landscape and the park’s winter wildlife.
Highway 146 provides easy access to trailheads, with parking and train stations along the route. The park’s visitor center (Gesäuse Nationalpark Pavillon) offers information, while the western area features a children’s activity zone, a rafting company, and the accessible Lettmair Au trail.
Cyclists can rent bikes and ride the well-maintained east-west path, with options ranging from smooth routes to challenging mountain trails.
This is what the Wonderful Nature of the Park looks like
Additional Essential Information for Your Visit
Official Website
Address: Krumau 62, 8911 Admont
Map:
Other Attractions in the National Park Area
Not far from the national park is the large Salza Valley with several fun attractions. On the way to the valley, you can stop in the town of Gams bei Hieflau, near which a beautiful hiking trail begins inside a natural gorge called Nothklamm. This is a well-maintained and marked hiking trail with wooden bridges. Near the gorge, there is a small crystal cave called Kraushöhle.
From there, you can continue driving to the Palfau area, which also has a large and well-known natural gorge, as well as adventurous rafting and ATV tours. Or, visit the active Erzberg Mine.
