Kalkalpen National Park (the Limestone Alps) was established in 1997 and covers a huge area of 20,825 hectares in the west of the state of Upper Austria. The reserve is located in the area between the Sengsengebirge and the Reichraminger Hintergebirge mountains.
The mountains in the nature reserve are varied, ranging in altitude from 380 meters to 1,963 meters above sea level. The highest peak is called Hoher Nock and is part of the Sengsengebirge range.
The reserve is home to many wild animals – 50 species of mammals, 80 species of birds, 1,500 species of butterflies, and more. The forests here make up about 80% of the reserve’s area and are considered the largest forested region in Central Europe. The most common mammal in the reserve is the impressive lynx. If you are lucky, you might even see it in its natural habitat.
The reserve is rich in water. There are about 800 springs in this area and the longest stream system in the Eastern Alps.
Most of the area is pristine and does not attract crowds of tourists. There are several marked hiking trails, but many parts of the reserve are very wild. This is a great natural spectacle for those who love true, untouched nature.
This is what the Kalkalpen National Park looks like
The Nature Reserve’s Visitor Centers:
There are three visitor centers located in Windischgarsten, the Ennstal valley, and at the Hengstpaßhütte near Rosenau. At the visitor centers, you can get the most up-to-date and detailed information regarding the various hiking trails in the reserve and the educational activities that take place there. Additionally, the visitor centers often host exhibitions with interesting information about the nature in the reserve. It is recommended to visit one of the visitor centers if you are planning a trip to the reserve.
It is possible to join a guided tour in the reserve, but it is only offered in German.
1. Visitor Center in Windischgarsten (Infostelle Windischgarsten)
Opening Hours:
- May to end of October: Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Closed on Sundays and holidays.
- November to May: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Closed on Sundays and holidays.
- Email: info-wdg@kalkalpen.at
Official Website
Address: Bahnhofstraße 2, 4580 Windischgarsten
Map:
2. Visitor Center in the Ennstal Valley (Besucherzentrum Ennstal)
Opening Hours:
- May to end of October: Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
- November to May: Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
- Email: info-ennstal@kalkalpen.at
Official Website
Address: Eisenstraße 75, A-4462 Reichraming
Map:
3. Visitor Center at the Hengstpasshütte Hut
Opening Hours:
- July and August: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
- June and September: Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
- May and October: Friday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
- The visitor center is closed during the winter months.
- Email: info-hengstpass@kalkalpen.at
Official Website
Address: Am Hengstpass 13, Rosenau
Map:
Additional Essential Information for Visiting Kalkalpen National Park
The Official Website of the Nature Reserve
Address: Nationalpark Kalkalpen
Map:
Other Attractions in the Area
South of the reserve is the Phyrn-Priel holiday region, which offers a variety of fun attractions for the whole family. Read more about this area in the detailed article we have prepared.
