Kalkalpen National Park

One of the European Wilderness Network partner from Austria is Kalkalpen National Park.

The European Wilderness Network representing Europe’s last Wilderness, was founded in 2014 and has grown to now 40 members in 17 Countries with more than 350 000 ha of audited Wilderness.

Nestled within Austria’s northeastern Limestone Alps in Upper Austria, the Kalkalpen Wilderness spans 13,034 hectares and is an integral part of the larger 20,820-hectare Kalkalpen National Park. This expansive area encompasses the Sengsengebirge and Reichraminger Hintergebirge mountain ranges, boasting Central Europe’s largest contiguous forest region and Austria’s most extensive karst landscape. Characterized by pristine forests, concealed gorges, and untouched mountain streams, it presents a vibrant mosaic of natural beauty.

Please also read: World natural heritage beech forests of Kalkalpen.

Conservation Vision and Achievements

The overarching goal for the Kalkalpen Wilderness is to preserve its dynamic natural processes. Significant progress has been made toward this vision, with midterm objectives like establishing a protected area already partially realized. The practical aim is for 75% of the national park to meet Wilderness standards. Notably, within this wilderness lies the Kalkalpen WILDForest, distinguished by its unique beech forest ecosystem.

In 2015, the Kalkalpen Wilderness underwent an audit and achieved the Platinum Wilderness Quality Standard. A renewal audit is scheduled for 2025 to ensure ongoing adherence to these high conservation standards.

Biodiversity and Habitats

The Kalkalpen Wilderness is a biodiversity hotspot, encompassing various habitats such as coniferous, mixed, and broadleaf forests, alpine pastures, and rocky terrains. Biotope mapping has documented 927 vascular plant species within the area, representing about one-third of Austria’s total plant species.

Key species include the sporadically present wolf, the protected alpine long-horned Rosalia beetle, and the bear moth. A significant milestone was the reintroduction of the Eurasian lynx in 1999, marking an essential step in the species’ return to the Alps.

Please also read: Hope for Austria’s lynx.

Tourism and Recreation

From a tourism and recreational standpoint, the Kalkalpen Wilderness holds substantial importance. The national park attracts approximately 210,000 visitors annually, with around 40,000 venturing into the wilderness area. To minimize tourism’s environmental impact, activities like mountain biking are confined to designated transition zones using abandoned forest roads, and paragliding is prohibited to preserve the area’s tranquility. Camping is permitted only in specified spots throughout the national park to ensure sustainable use of the environment.

The Kalkalpen Wilderness stands as a testament to successful conservation efforts, offering a sanctuary for diverse species and a serene escape for nature enthusiasts.

European wilderness network

The main aim of the European Wilderness Network is a unified approach to Wilderness Stewardship and the representation of Wilderness and its challenges internationally and within the European Union. All Wilderness, WILDCoasts, WILDForests, WILDIslands, and WILDRivers, in the European Wilderness Network are unique and represent the best and wildest places in Europe.

Stay tuned to learn more about European last Wilderness and support our work.