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| The Donau-Auen National Park |
You will find DonauauenNational Park situated in a lush ‘green ribbon’ that lies in between the two
closest capital cities in Europe; Bratislava and Vienna. Established in 1996,
The park spans over 40 square miles and is a highly important conservation
area; as well as a centre for science and research.
The second largest river on
the continent, The Danube, flows through Donauauen untamed, feeding and
watering the plentiful wildlife, and sustaining what is the last large wetland
ecosystem in Central Europe. The park is full of things to do, and is an
excellent place for explorers of all ages.
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| Danube river banks |
Spot rare and endangered
species such as the Beaver and the Kingfisher; take one of the many walking
tours; or rest up and sail the Danube. The neighbouring town of Orth also holds
the tourist and information centre for the park, where you can learn about the
environment in much more detail, get yourself some maps and check out the day’s
tours and activities. Additionally the National Park House was opened in 2007
and was built beautifully in order to reflect and complement its surroundings.
Shops, exhibitions, cafés, and events can all be found within.
The Donauauen
National Park is one of 6 protected parks in Austria, and locals use the
well-established hiking and cycling routes to see the most of the vast forests
and bodies of water that make the park so special. The most popular route is 11
km long and is aptly named the Napoleon Loop, as it passes a memorial to the
1809 Battle of Aspern-Essling, as well as some battlefield sites, and the
headquarters of Napoleon himself.
As well as these
main activities, there are places you can go for a swim, or take part in water
sports. For a whistle-stop tour of the park, you can even board the Admiral
Tegetthoff in Vienna and sail right through the park, arriving in the medieval
town of Hainburg.
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