Hohe Tauern National Park
The Hohe Tauern National Park in its entirety (1,856 km2) represents the largest protected, contiguous and transnational natural and cultural area in the Alps.
In the interaction between the core zone and the surrounding outer zone, there is an extraordinary connection between the unique natural space and an outstanding cultural landscape in terms of landscape aesthetics.
The protected area is an outstanding testimony to Alpine mountain building, shaped by ice ages, traces of important geological and geomorphological processes with a diverse wealth of forms. The geological peculiarities of the Tauern Window, the different rocks and soils as well as the broad climatic spectrum, from oceanic to continental, create a biological and ecological diversity.
The Hohe Tauern National Park encompasses representatively all alpine ecosystems (from montane mountain forests to alpine grasslands) with their plant and animal communities. The diverse landscape is characterised by 266 mountain peaks over 3,000 metres (highest mountain: Großglockner 3,798 m), 551 lakes ranging in size from 27.03 ha to 35 m² (largest lake: Kratzenbergsee in Hollersbachtal) and about 250 glaciers (longest glacier: Pasterze in the Großglockner group).
Another scenic, but also land cultural enrichment is the traditional sustainable alpine farming in the outer zone, which probably dates back to the Bronze Age.
The harsh winters with sometimes enormous avalanche danger make the Hohe Tauern accessible only to a few, very experienced mountaineers. In summer, however, the National Park opens up to visitors - with all its diversity and beauty. For several hundred years, poets and painters have been inspired to create great works, scientists have been motivated to explore the natural area and mountaineers have been challenged to achieve special summit achievements.
Tourenportal
The largest nature reserve in Central Europe invites you to discover its treasures and secrets on beautiful hikes: discover top updated tours for long-distance hikers, cyclists and mountain bikers, snowshoe hikers and cross-country skiers.
