Wilderness Area Dürrenstein - Austria

The „Wilderness Dürrenstein“ was founded in 2002 as Austria's only category I area according to the IUCN guidelines (Strict Nature Reserve/Wilderness Area). Category I areas are the most stringently protected natural landscapes. Visitors may only enter when participating in a guided tour. The Wilderness Dürrenstein covers an area of about 3500 ha and is characterized by the largest and vastest natural forests of Austria, which have not been cultivated or managed since the last ice age. The old growth spruce-fir-beech forest „Rothwald“ is the core area, which covers approximately 400 ha. It is located at the southern slopes of Dürrenstein – a mountain in the northern limestone Alps of Lower Austria. The research priorities are ...