In the Dürrenstein-Lassingtal wilderness area, nature reveals itself in all its original diversity. Around the unique Rothwald primeval forest, rare species of flora and fauna find a protected habitat – a fascinating UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in the heart of the Ybbstal Alps.
Wilderness is one of the rarest and, at the same time, most valuable habitats. In the Dürrenstein-Lassingtal wilderness area, nature can develop without human interference and thus reveal its full diversity. The Beech Forest Nature Trail offers special insights into this unique landscape. The strict rule of staying on the paths protects these sensitive habitats and enables visitors to experience the wilderness with respect.
The Dürrenstein-Lassingtal wilderness area provides a protected habitat for an extraordinary variety of animals, plants and fungi. Its pristine forests, alpine meadows, rocky landscapes and moors are home to red deer, chamois, golden eagles, Alpine salamanders and rare primeval forest species such as the white-backed woodpecker, amongst others. Beech, fir and spruce forests, species-rich mountain vegetation and more than 600 species of large fungi make the area a valuable refuge for biodiversity.
The wilderness shifts us humans from the centre of the universe, transforming us from the ‘managers’ of the world into silent observers who curb their desires and grant all natural processes the right to self-determination.
Guided excursions offer fascinating insights into the habitats, flora and fauna, and natural processes of the Dürrenstein-Lassingtal wilderness area. The varied programme allows visitors to experience the unique features of this unspoilt landscape first-hand.
After the end of the last Ice Age, the Alpine region slowly began to become green again. Lichens, mosses and grasses were followed by shrubs and the first tree species. Over the course of millennia, spruce, fir and, finally, European beech gradually spread
The first human settlements emerged in the Lunz area during the Neolithic period.
With the start of ore mining, timber became an increasingly important raw material. This also led to greater pressure on the forests for timber – to this day, the name ‘Eisenwurzen’ serves as a reminder of this period.
With the founding of the Benedictine Abbey of Admont, the abbey also laid claim to those areas whose watercourses flowed into the River Enns.
A centuries-long dispute flared up between the Gaming Charterhouse and Admont Abbey over the area around Dürrenstein and Rothwald. As a result, a large part of the primeval forest was spared from deforestation.
Following the dissolution of the Gaming Charterhouse, its estates passed to the state. The remote location and the difficulties involved in transporting timber helped to preserve parts of the primeval forest, yet the areas of untouched woodland were becoming increasingly smaller.
Albert Rothschild was the first to deliberately place the Rothwald primeval forest under protection. In doing so, he laid the foundations for preserving this special forest area for future generations.
Covering 277 hectares, a large part of the primeval forest has been officially designated a nature reserve.
With the addition of the Rothwald II extension, further sections of the primeval forest have been incorporated into the nature reserve. As a result, the total area under protection has increased to 576 hectares.
Following a severe Sturm, the ‘Edelwies’ windthrow area, covering just under ten hectares, was left untouched for research purposes. This gave rise to the idea of linking it to the existing Rothwald I and II protected areas.
Austria’s first wilderness area was created as part of a LIFE project. By linking several sub-areas, the protected area now covers a total of 2,388 hectares.
The IUCN recognised the wilderness area as a strict nature reserve and wilderness area. Since then, the focus has been not only on rare species and unique forests, but above all on the protection of natural processes free from human interference.
The nature reserve management took over the management of the 25-hectare Leckermoos and began the restoration of this valuable high moor.
Several expansions have added further areas at Hochkirch, near the entrance to the primeval forest, as well as in the Freyngraben and at Wandbach-Mitterberg. As a result, the wilderness area has grown to around 3,500 hectares.
Several nature reserves in Lower Austria have been re-designated and merged to form the ‘Dürrenstein Wilderness Area’.
Together with the Kalkalpen National Park, the wilderness area was designated as Austria’s first UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. This makes it one of the world’s most significant natural sites.
With the expansion into the Lassingtal valley in Styria, the protected area doubled to around 7,000 hectares. Since then, the area has been known as the “Dürrenstein-Lassingtal Wilderness Area”.
The House of the Wilderness is an exhibition that explains ecological interrelationships and offers insights into the primeval forest. It demonstrates what wilderness means and why protecting it is vital for our future.
The valuable beech forests in the Styrian part of the wilderness area have also been included in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. This means that another significant natural area has received international recognition.
