Karwendel Nature Park

The area of the Karwendel Nature Park (Alpenpark Karwendel), comprising the region from Innsbruck to Lake Achensee, is characterised by wild rivers and primeval forests. The area of the Karwendel Mountains harkens back on a 150-year long history in alpinism. Still today, hunting and forestry have an important role to play. The Karwendel Nature Park comprises a total of 11 protected areas, that can be experienced in special hikes and tours: Probably the most famous one is the Karwendel Nature Reserve, embedded in the heart of the Karwendel Alpine Park.

Another highlight is the Ahornboden in the rear Risstal valley, which is characterised by the most impressive sycamore forest of Europe. Sycamores have existed here since the Ice Age, pollution, however, has pressed this tree species very hard. At the Ahornboden, it has found a protected ground. The Karwendel Nature Park is part of "Natura2000", a network of protected areas within Europe. Animals and plants, that can be observed here, are the Alpine newt, the common sandpiper, and the red deer, as well as sycamores and the German tamarisk. The Hinterriss visitors' centre and the Scharnitz Info Point provide useful information about the nature park.

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Founded in: 2009
Surface: 727 sqkm

Peculiarities: Ahornboden (Ahorn = sycamore) as unique cultural landscape, wild water system of the Isar river, the largest lammergeier density of the Alps, the largest nature park of Austria

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